BrownhillsBob

#365daysofbiking Cherry amore

March 26th – A full three weeks earlier than last year, the cherry blossom is coming out on the industrial estate where I work.

Returning from Telford at lunchtime, I noticed the pinky white flowers catching the sunlight. Then I looked around, and all the other ornamental cherries on the estate that I could see were flowering similarly.

Against the fine china blue sky it was a wonderful, uplifting sight.

This spring is early, but I’m not complaining about that at all! I just wish it would warm up a little now.

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#365daysofbiking Going green

March 26th – Telford, early morning on a chilly but beautiful day.

The cycleway to the Priorslee Bridge from the station is really greening up now with this season’s new leaf growth.

In no time at all, this will be a green tunnel again, like it is every year – a real joy to the heart to ride along, alive with birds, squirrels and wildflowers.

Real beauty exists in even the most improbably urban situations.

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#365daysofbiking The stars in spring

March 25th – Nearer Brownhills, I hit the canal at the Black Cock for the final ride to Brownhills. It was very clear but no moon. Stopping to take photos of Clayhanger Bridge – one of my favourite night-time photographic muses – I realised that the stars were showing well. I hoped I caught them. I also tried at Catshill Junction.

You’ll need to zoom but I’m pleased to see I caught Orion in both cases. Not a bad result.

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#365daysofbiking Sleepwalking

March 22nd – Working very late, a 14 hour day. I returned through a somnambulant Park Street in Walsall, the pavers shining in the electric light.

Walsall gets an awful lot of stick in some quarters, but looking tonight at the clean street and welcoming light, I was reminded that this isn’t a bad place, for all it’s detractors.

It certainly felt like home tonight.

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#365daysofbiking Streaming sunlight

March 22nd – Just outside Clifton Campville, near Chilcote and Honey Hill as the sun set, the cloud broke and sunlight streamed through to the distant landscape below. It was absolutely captivating.

One thing about early spring – some absolutely terrific skies.

I was glad I was there to catch this.

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#365daysofbiking When the sun shone

March 22nd – A great 62 mile ride out to Rosliston Foresstry Centre, Coton in the Elms, Lullington, Netherseal and No Mans Heath. It was a lovely spring day in the sun, and the cake at Rosliston was excellent. It was a lovely day top be out.

When I changed direction at No Mans Heath, the sun was setting and the wind drove against me. It went very cold, and coming home was a real batt.e, reminding me that although the sun had been out, winter’s hand could still be felt on the weather. It was bitter.

A lovely ride out though, and just what I needed.

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#365daysofbiking Hair and gone

March 23rd – Meanwhile, over with the red deer at Chasewater, the seasonal moult has started, and the ladies who looked so healthy and fine a week ago now look like threadbare old rugs. They are also covered in dried mud, which they roll in to try and liberate the irritating cold weather coat.

It’s natural of course, to lose the winter coat, and the scruffiness will soon pass; but my favourite ladies always look so grim at this time of year.

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#365daysofbiking Reconstruction time again

March 23rd – On a short late afternoon ride out on a cold, windy afternoon, I noticed the Watermead swan couple were making preparations for another family, just by the canal basin and houses around the canal bend from the canoe centre.

These two birds have raised many cygnets to maturity in recent years and it’s good to see them back.

However, the mail is somewhat formidable and canoeists, kayakers, passing dogs and waterfowl will need to be careful: This lad protects his family aggressively.

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#365daysofbiking Slight return

March 22nd – Returning from Telford on an absolute bastard of a day, I couldn’t face the run from Walsall station and decided to get off the train at Bloxwich for a change.

Bloxwich railway station is functional – two platforms, two shelters, that’s it: A modern day, urban halt. But tonight, with stomach cramps and an aching head, it was good to arrive in fresh, cool air and look at my quiet, darkening surroundings and be thankful that I was nearing home.

I like this station, for all it’s dystopian desolation. Tonight, it felt like a homecoming, a return. The weekend ahead, peace and good company.

Sometimes, that’s all you need to make you feel better.

I made it home with the wind behind me in 22 minutes.

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#365daysofbiking Unknown pleasure

March 21st – Meanwhile, up at Kings Hill Park things are moving swiftly on. The crocuses have gone now, and the daffodils – always early here – are past their best and dying off.

However, in the patch of wildflowers near the gate, there are loads and loads of tiny flowers which I thought were violets, but now I’m not sure in a lilac, pastel blue and sky blue selection.

I can’t identify them for sure, but I can say they’re absolutely delightful.

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