November 29th – I returned to Brownhills via the cycleway and old Cement Works Bridge, hoping to see deer. Sadly my deer magnet was resolutely off and I saw nothing; but I did note this venerable mobile phone mast.

The same tower has been in use since the late 80s, when it had an analogue base station fitted. Since then, it’s acquired a curious variety of antenna from normal FM to microwave, and it now serves the local 4G network. A remarkable survivor.

Next to it in the trees is an Airwave Tetra emergency communications network base station – a secure mobile network for police, fire and ambulance. I’m unclear why this spot is so popular with radio infrastructure, but there sure is a lot going on.

November 29th – An early afternoon loop up to Chasewater of a warm but blowy day caught me in the rain once more. The canal was deserted and everything looked grey; Chasewater was little better. 

The wind was such that it drove groups of swans into the shallows over by the dam for shelter, and they didn’t look very happy about it; even the gulls loafed idly in the shallows.

I’m fed up of this weather. There has to be better spell on the horizon. This is grinding me down and making photography very hard!

November 28th – back in Brownhills later that afternoon, during a respite in the rain I headed to get some shopping in. On my way I noted that the lower meadow on Clayhanger Common was flooding and returning to it’s normal winter boggy state, which it’s designed to do. From the Pier Street bridge, I regarded the hardy, wind-buffeted canoeists with admiration.

For a couple of seasons, I wondered why so many craft had been motored at Silver Street at various times. It looks like there’s my answer – and now the Canal and River Trust have clocked that people are mooring here and are after money.

Let’s hope they use the proceeds to clear their marina up… it’s in a terrible state.

November 27th – In Telford, the skies westwards were foreboding, and eastwards more optimistic, but it was to be a terrible afternoon both in terms of work and the weather. The stark beauty of low sun and early winter cycleways was gorgeous, but the western sky wasn’t making idle threats and I would return home in a rainstorm, battling bad connections having had a terrible day.

Sometimes, the omens are not good from the start.

November 27th – Passing through New Street mid day, I was again struck by the contrast between the media hype of a reborn station, and the grim, badly maintained reality of the place itself. Those brick arches are probably the oldest remainder of the original station, and it wouldn’t surprise me were they to be Victorian. They should be made a feature, but they are decaying, stained and lie mostly unnoticed. Even some of the lights above them have given up.

Closer to the central area of the same platform, a gap in the above-platform construction lets the rain and wind howl in, concentrated and focussed by the angles and surfaces. No shiny cladding here, as it’s not outward facing. Just original 60s concrete and cheap white cladding.

A notice on the platform says ‘Mind the gap’ – the credibility gap is more hazardous.

November 26th – After the wet, grey and unpleasant morning, it was nice to see the day dry up with some blue sky visible at lunchtime. Great skies with high cloud, and a slight warmth on the breeze really made a change as I rode down into Wednesbury on an errand.

I’d like more of this. Looking at the forecast, that seems unlikely.

November 26th – Spotted in a works bike rack, this fine steed. A very decent bike, with very curious panniers on the front of the crossbar. They seem to be holding cells for the front light, but I must confess I don’t understand how they’re comfortable to ride with. If those were on my bike, I’d keep banging them with my knees.

Still, bikes are very individual and we all have different solutions for luggage and general carrying needs. Studying other people’s bikes is endlessly fascinating.

November 26th – Yet another wet, miserable commute, and I feel I must surely soon develop webbed feet. The squally, blustery conditions have now stripped all but the most stubborn remaining leaves from the trees and scrub, and revealed some interesting views not visible in summer.

Also revealed at Bentley Bridge was this fie display on moss on a hawthorn bush. There seem to be several strains and various shades. I’m curious as to why this particular bush, in this spot, but it is rather fascinating.

November 25th – Another good one for Bob’s big book of bizarre mechanical failures. A few weeks ago I bought new cycling shoes and fitted new SPD cleats – the small pieces of metal that lock into the pedals for better engagement in place of toe clips – as is normal. I nipped up the screws, and gradually adjusted them for best cleat position.

Riding to work this morning, it felt like my left side cleat was clogged with mud or debris, and I had difficulty engaging and disengaging. As I went on it became more and more tricky. Arriving, I inspected the leat and found it had come loose and was rattling freely.

I have never had this happen before and am very surprised.Potentially very dangerous, I’m glad I found it trying to clip in and not out.

If you use lipless pedals, check your cleats for tightness today.