BrownhillsBob

April 20th – I don’t ride out in this directions much – getting through Great Wyrley is such a pain – but there are some delightful villages and I really should make the effort more. Tong has an absolutely gorgeous church.

April 20th – Early meeting in Telford, left work about 12:30pm. Nice day so I decided to cycle home… 35 mile journey taking in Shifnal, Bishops Wood, Brewood, Four Ashes and Great Wyrley. I stopped for lunch at Shifnal at an excellent cafe, and watched the sunny world go by.

April 19th – at the other end of the day, the desire to just ride continued. St. John’s Hill in Shenstone has now formed it’s usual summer green canopy. It’s like being in a leafy, cool, bright green tunnel. Gorgeous.

April 19th – Another early start. Here at Bosses, between Lower Stonnall and Little Aston, the early mist was still present. Thin, softening the light, beautiful. For the second day running I wished I could just ride instead of going to work.

April 18th – I risked missing the train to take this photo on Lynn Lane. Only 3 or 4 minutes later, the light was taking on a golden, hazy quality. How I wished I was heading off on a dayride rather than off to work…

April 18th – Early start, heading to Telford on the early train. The mist was just beginning to burn off in the weak sun as I passed Sandhills pumping station.

April 17th – wonderful to see the swans are nesting again on the canal by Lanes Farm. They used to nest in the reeds at the winding hole further down, but in the last couple of years, they’ve gradually moved closer to the mill. Whether this will yield a brood this year or be another dry run, it remains to be seen, but it would be nice to see a full compliment of cygnets this year.

April 17th – Today, I explored a lot at Chasewater. After I’d done the Classic Transport Show, I mooched over to the building works. I was quite sad to see that the new culvert in the causeway doesn’t replace the old metal bridge over the creek. 5 million quid in works, and that old dangerous bottleneck will apparently remain. Wonderful. Not.

April 16th – my favourite canalside trees are coming on a treat. The weeping willows look so beautiful against the water, and form verdant, shady canopies filled with emerald light.

April 16th – Cats seem to be an increasing feature on canal boats. I’m curious as to how the suit a mobile life – this little lass didn’t seem to bothered by it, but wasn’t keen on having her towpath nap disturbed by the inconsiderate cyclist.