July 26th – In heavy rain, a flotilla of swans. not far from the place I last saw them, cruising for all the world like it was a bright, sunny day. 

I don’t suppose they care about the rain. 

They had somewhere to be, and were travelling with purpose. But despite the horrid, grey weather, they just sailed on like it didn’t matter – because to them, it clearly doesn’t.

I should be more like the swans. Rainy days like this pull me down. But soon the sun will shine, and the world will seem brighter once more.

July 26th – The latest addition to the local architectural scene is a set of steps built by the Canal & River Trust down off the canal towpath at Clayhanger, to the foot of the embankment.

The steps are well made, have a sturdy handrail, are ballast filled and are well  levelled, painted and a really, really nice job.

If only we saw such attention to detail when urgent repairs were required.

The steps have only been built to allow surveyors access to the toe of the embankment, because scrambling down a bank is clearly too much for them.

This is funny in one way, but also opens up an area to kids and the nosey that was previously well hidden and a haven for wildlife wanting peace and quiet.

You couldn’t make it up.

July 25th – I headed to the supermarket in Aldridge late, and a golden hour had set in early. Riding along the canal at the back of the old Duckhams factory, I noticed several patched of these beautiful crimson flowers in the reed-beds.

I’ve not seen them before, and can’t find them in my (admittedly poor) wildflower guide. I’m assuming they’re a garden pond escapee. 

Any ideas, please?

July 25th – There was something of the night about the long-haired but diminutive cat on the far side of the canal near Clayhanger Bridge.

Those piercing eyes and quick wits; there was a hunt on and I’d disturbed it. But what an absolutely beautiful puss.

Someone loves that wee black cat and brushes it loads to keep it so beautiful.

July 24th – I came home from work through Brownhills over Anchor Bridge, avoiding the towpath mud from the hours of steady rain. It wasn’t unpleasant out, and was as enjoyable as summer rain could ever be, but as I pulled over onto the footpath to take a call, I looked over the parapet and was reminded of something that’s been troubling me for years.

There appears to be a storm drain from the Lindon Road draining directly into the canal below, hence the brown mud plume in the water. that runoff will contain oil and diesel, rubber and all manner of road surface pollutant nasties. Draining it straight into the canal doesn’t seem right to me.

It’s been like this for as long as I can remember. Surely that can’t be compliant with modern standards, can it?

July 23rd – It may be high summer, but the wildflowers see no sign of abating, just the usual shift to darker colours as summer wends on. I love the rotund, spiny perfection of thistles, and the loose strife by the canalside at the Black Cock bridge is a new addition; but a welcome return of common toadflax is always a joy, even on the dullest days.

July 22nd – And near Shelfield, Grange Farm at High Heath has a good few acres of barley this year, ripening beautifully in the July sun.

This is an interestingly un-uniform crop of undulating height, and with a good variety of other plants interspersed through it. I’m wondering if it’s organically produced, or a traditional variety – most modern crops are so uniform they’re boring.

July 22nd – On an odd little side street, just off the main Walsall-Lichfield road, in the hinterland scrub between The Butts and Rushall, a remarkable display of feral roses.

Cartridge Lane South was orphaned years ago, and is mostly now just access to a dead-end housing development, and at the southernmost end, borders the allotments that mark the northernmost tip of The Butts. In the hedge there, some remarkable roses that seem to have been flowering for ages.

I wonder how many folk pass these every day without realising they’re there?