November 10th – I had to leave work mid morning and head up to Great Wyrley, which was a longer ride than I expected – but very enjoyable, all the same. On the way, I went up Green Lane, but on the way back, came through Leamore. I’d forgotten just how great the view was from the top of Pratts Mill Bridge; on a clear day a great view of St. Matthews, but even on this hazy, smoke-fogged day the view across the terrace rooftops was ace.

It makes me think of Douglas Dunn’s ‘On Terry Street’.

Walsall – always a surprise in store.

November 10th – Wakelake, the Wakeline facility installed at Chasewater 18 months ago has been a great success and seems very popular. I love the way it’s rejuvenated the formerly derelict control pier, and the antics of the boarders (way braver than me) make for great photos.

After the dry years, it’s so nice to see people enjoying Chasewater again.

November 10th – A lunchtime at Chasewater on a beautiful late autumn day – the sun was warm on my back and the riding easy but boggy after the last two days of rains. The north heath was as gorgeous as ever, and the level does seem to be rising now the valves are closed and the creek is flowing well.

The Westie waiting outside the cafe was a dear little thing.

madoldbaggage:

We didn’t have time for a long ride today.Rather uncharacteristically we had both slept in until nearly 10.30, the last time I slept that late in the day was before I had children, I felt as though the day was gone! Aiden also had to leave for up north late afternoon, so we rode down to Walsall and then up to Chasewater along NCN54.

It’s been a while since I rode the NCN from Walsall and was disappointed to note that the surface between Mill Lane LNR and Rushall has deteriorated further, being a potholed mess with deep puddles and no way of avoiding going through them and whatever they may contain. Once again I reflected on the fact that Sustrans seems to spend money anywhere but Walsall. Instead of putting up all those unnecessary and silly signs all around Chasewater, informing you that you are NOT on the NCN, how about filling in a few holes, closer to Ryecroft instead?

As we made our way back along the canal tow path to Aldridge I was struck by the wonderful clarity of light that we get at this time of the year and how clear and beautiful the reflections were in the canal. So no, I’m not taking upside down photographs but pictures of reflections! When I rode this way last week before all the rain, the water in the canal was so clear that you could see everything lying on the bottom. I presume the reflections are aided not just by the wonderful light but also by the clarity of the water?

Another annoyance to the ride today was to arrive at Northywood Bridge to discover that the tow path had been closed. I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that work had begun on the embankments and tow path between there and Aldridge Wharf Bridge, so I fully understand why these works need to be undertaken and how necessary they are but is it too much to ask that a little bit prior warning could be given, say a notice at Catshill Junction?

Our final stop was to pay our respects at the cenotaph in Aldridge. That second name down is my Great Uncle. I don’t go to the ceremonies held due to the heavy reliance on the C of E and it being a clerical service. Sorry but the organised church just don’t do it for me and I am also aware that many of the soldiers from the Commonwealth who died fighting for the so called Mother Country and Allies, were not Christian. I’ve never understood why we cannot have a non-religious service of remembrance that is open and welcoming to all, whatever their beliefs including those who have no beliefs at all.

I’m a bit moaning minnie today, sorry, despite all that sleep I’m absolutely bushed!

November 8th – The family bonds between the members of the various swan broods hatched this summer seem to be breaking, slowly. I see more and more cygnets out on their own now, or small groups.

This is clearly good, and natural, but it does make me a little sad that I’ll not see anymore neat lines of swans proceeding about the local canals until we get more families next year.

This pair – I don’t think they’re from the Catshill brood, as they were unringed – were loafing and preening at Catshill junction and didn’t seem to mind my presence too much, just occasionally growling and hissing at me.

They really are fine, healthy birds. I’m fascinated in the attention they pay to their undercarriage: the positions they get into while maintaining their feathers are incredible.

November 8th – What is it with this journal and stray pumpkins? This is the third in as many years, and this one has been carved. 

There I was, cycling around the bend in the canal opposite Tesco in Brownhills, and it was just there, wet and grinning at me.

I felt sorry for the grizzled gourd, so I recorded it for posterity.

November 7th – This is annoying. Just about every bike wheel has spokes of some sort, and their job is critical and load-bearing. As you ride, the spokes on the bottom of the wheel are in compression, and the ones at the top in tension, and as the wheel spins, the spokes are alternately pushed and pulled.

The do a lot of work considering they’re just 2mm diameter bits of stainless steel wire.

I carry lots of weight on my commuting bike – anything up to 20 kilos, and together with my resplendent girth, the wheels come under some stress, particularly on the pothole-strewn backroads of Walsall.

On Thursday, the bike felt odd on the back end. An inspection showed me that three spokes had broken, which need to be replaced. That’s a pig of a job, especially as they have broken at the rim end, which means removing the tyre and rim tape and replacing the nipples.

Today, I procured replacements and hoped to do the job when I got in – but it was far too wet and miserable.

I don’t know why the spokes failed; probably just excess weight and fatigue. But I’ve now lost trust in that wheel and wonder what else it has in store for me…

November 7th – It had been an awful day with two dreadful commutes, on in heavy rain, the other in a wet darkness inhabited by very, very crazy traffic. Heading towards Brownhills over Anchor Bridge I stopped for a breather and realised I had a good angle on the new flats. I realise the architecture is a love/hate thing but I really like them, but they’re almost impossible to get a decent photo of.

This didn’t come out too badly.

November 6th – I returned home in light but penetrating drizzle in early evening, and again, hopped the canal for a bit of light relief. Canal cycling at night requires good lights and can be mentally demanding, but I do enjoy it, as much for the chance to spot a fox or two as anything.

At Catshill Junction I thought I’d give the camera a go on the tripod. I’ve not done much night photography with this one yet, and and I’m quite pleased with the results, even though rain was getting on the lens.

Those LED streetlights in Chandlers Keep give a wonderfully ghostly white light.

November 6th – Fed up of the traffic, I hopped onto the canal through Walsall on the way to work, and was pleased to note litter pickers at work on the canal. People often erroneously think the council is response for the state of the canals – they aren’t, it’s the Canal and River Trust who get that gig. Today, a couple of chaps were collecting rubbish into bags and small piles, which were awaiting a crew on a boat who pick it up later. 

It’s only a small crew, but they work hard and have a lot of miles to cover. I salute them for doing what must be a fairly unpleasant job in all weathers.

In the meantime, canal users could always meet them halfway and stop littering…

Thanks, folks. Top work.