December 5th – I had to go to Telford, and on the way I bought a ticket from the Arriva Trains Wales conductor, as I usually do.

It appears the staff have been issued new ticket machines. Instead of printing a return on two standard, credit-card sized stuff card tickets, I was awarded this scroll: a twenty inch by three inch piece of thermal paper bog roll. This is the new standard for tickets issued on trains.

So, just as Network Rail adopt automatic barriers at stations, train operators start issuing huge, impractical tickets that won’t operate them.

Well done to everyone concerned. I’m really impressed.

Not.

December 4th – The Chase was beautiful and deserted, and from Chase Road, over Stepping Stones and Seven Springs back to Abraham’s Valley and the old RAF Hednesford, I barely saw a soul. It was cold – so very cold, but with parts of the forest at wildly differing temperatures: In Abrahams Valley it was at least two degrees higher than in Sherbrook Valley. In any case, barely above freezing anywhere.

As night fell, owls and deer were busy and the Chase was a sensory delight. Just what I needed!

December 4th – A bitterly cold day, but it was sunny and bright and I felt Cannock Chase calling me – so I wrapped up warm and went for it.

On the way, checking out the condition of the rosy earthstar fungus at Clayhanger Common, I passed this juvenile swan on the canal between the Pier Street and Catshill Junction bridges. This is very probably one of the large brood hatched here in the summer, which have mostly now migrated into the large flocks at Chasewater and Stubbers Green where they regularly get fed.

Still in juvenile plumage, this was a large, healthy bird, clearly used to admirers as it approached me eagerly chattering for food, yet drifted away when the realisation that I was empty handed dawned.

I’ve not seen many swans on the local canal recently, so this was a pleasant change…

December 3rd – Another great Christmas tree – always one of my favourites – it the one on Swan Island at Burntwood. Always with really nice lights, it’s a lovely sight and erected by the local Rotary Club – if I remember right, their membership sponsors it.

A lovely sight that cheered me up like Walsall’s tree did yesterday, 

December 3rd – A bit of a down day, really – although the evening picked up well. I headed out just after lunch into a grey and lightless day, to try a new cafe. From there, I dropped into Lichfield as a Christmas Market was ongoing, but customer service left much to be desired; I ended up enjoying Christmas Pudding and custard in front of a wood burning stove at Mabel’s in Curborough which was nice, although the craft centre around it definitely seems to have left it’s best days behind it.

I came back via London Green and noted another once closed pub, the Red Lion, seemed to be doing well. Although more of a restaurant now, it still retains a real ale bar and welcomes dogs.

And it’s beautifully lit in a cold winter dusk…

December 2nd – Christmas is inescapable now; everywhere there are lights, decorations, trees and the general glitz and expectation of the season.

I don’t mind it to be honest, and this year I’m looking forward to a much-needed rest, so the oncoming festivities are quite welcome.

Passing through Walsall, weary and tired, I noticed the town this year had a rather lovely tree in St Paul’s Square, between the Bus Station and Leicester Street.

It cheered me up no end on a chilly, weary end-of-week commute.

December 1st – The long-closed Shire Oak Pub at the crossroads atop Shire Oak hill reopened only a few days ago, and it’s so nice to see the building lit up again at night. The pub deserves a good future as it’s a historic and well loved inn that’s survived many years. 

As I winched myself up the hill from an errand in Stonnall I appreciated the warm, welcoming lights and hoped the new team running it have every success.

December 1st – Unusual to see cats about more than fleetingly in the cold, dark evenings, but passing through north Walsall I was accosted by this lithe, shiny coated cat who mewed at me softly.

I thing he or she was waiting for their owner to come home and looking for a little fuss. I obliged, admired and ear-tickled as demanded. 

November 30th – Another beautiful, frosty and glass-hard morning, and again Jockey Meadows captivated me.

This wetland, separating Shelfield from Walsall Wood for centuries is an essential drainage band for the area and a haven for wildlife, as well as being a notified Site of Special Scientific Interest.

And I think Jockey Meadows are at their most beautiful on mornings like this.