madoldbaggage:

Saturday ride on my own and it was so good to be out on my bike after an enforced 2 week lay off due to my vertigo giving no let up until the GP prescribed new drugs. It’s taken 4 days for the drugs to work but thank goodness they are. I now see the world as a reasonably still place once again instead of experiencing it as though very drunk but without having the enjoyment of imbibing!

I set off not long after breakfast and saw the best of the day. By the time I had returned home just a couple of hours later, the clouds were gathering and the wind speed was increasing.

Autumn is showing her colours well now and what a delight to see them. I love Autumn for the colour and also the clarity of the light on a day like today. Another good day to be alive!

On my return to Aldridge along the canal from Brownhills I noticed that work appeared to have been going on along the tow path embankment. All was explained when I got to Aldridge Wharf Bride where lots of large containers are surrounded by fencing and a resident hippy van complete with dog, presumably on guarding duties. Work will be on going until Christmas on the stretch between Aldridge Wharf Bridge and Northywood Bridge and sections of the tow path may effectively be closed during the week when they are using heavy plant machinery.

Windy day for a ride – good to hear you’ve been out, though!

31st October – It’s been unseasonably warm – I rode home at sunset in shirtsleeves. Even still, the sunset seemed cold and autumnal. Catching it from the North Street railway bridge at Ryecroft, the view was lovely.

We’re getting some great skies at them moment, but rarely seem to be in a good position to capture them!

October 30th – If you’re planning to go for a walk or ride, and part of the route involves getting from the canal to Bentley Mill Way in Walsall, the access steps between the two off the aqueduct are now fenced off and inaccessible, as part of the major roadworks that have closed the road for 13 moths to come.

You can still get down to the road from the Darlaston side, but the route is not pleasant and I’m not sure how long it’ll be before that’s inaccessible too.

Take care folks.

October 30th – The morning commute was marked by the wildlife I encountered on the way. As I left home, a large male fox sauntered towards me in broad daylight, bold as brass, taking the air, before diverting over gardens. 

At Jockey Meadows, deer were over the back of the woods, but I had no time to investigate.

At Pleck, I was panhandled by the central Walsall swan family of mum and dad plus two. They always come over and noisily demand food. When they realise you haven’t got any, they lose interest and wander off. Aggressive  begging is a persistent problem these days.

Right in the heart of urban Pleck, a grey wagtail was an unexpected delight, bobbin around in the canal side scrub. It was a long zoom in terrible light but such a cute little bird.

While I watched the wagtail, a large rat ran along the bumper rail. He was a big fellow. I only just caught his derrière. He looked healthy, though, so the water must be clean… yes, it’s a terrible photo but it does show the breadth of local wildlife, I guess.

October 29th – Just near the Post Office on Victoria Road, Darlaston, stands the War Memorial. Quite simply, it’s one of the best I have ever seen.

Contained in it’s own, peaceful gardens, it’s a sombre, quiet and lovely place with a wonderful sculpture. I often stop here and have five minutes rest and reflection.

I’ve seen a lot of such remembrance art before, a lot of it in much larger towns than Darlaston. I can honestly say none has matched this one. A beautiful, sombre thing indeed.

October 29th – On the edge of Darlaston’s industrial area between Bentley Bridge and the town centre, there sit this curious pair of cottages, on the corner of Gladstone Street and Station Street. Under the paint and facing, these are rather old, note the great chimney pots on the cream one.

I get the feeling there’s a story to these places. Wonder what it is?

October 28th – Coming into the town centre from the Green, I passed this old building in Church Street I’d not noticed before – shame it’s not in better condition. Does anyone know what its original function was? Tramway power houses normally say so. Perhaps it was a depot or workshop. Under the horrid primrose paint there’s some interestingly ornate brickwork there.

I was also intrigued by the corner townhouse adjacent ‘Favourite House’ – what a curious name.

October 28th – Autumn seems to be lasting forever this year. The wind was still punishing, but it was a lovely warm commute with sunny spells. I took to the canal to get get to Darlaston, and hopped off at Bentley Bridge. The canal looked lovely in the morning brightness, and Darlaston Green could have made a postcard.

I’m normally down in the dumps at this time of year when the clocks go back, but it hasn’t really seemed to trouble me this year – perhaps because the weather is so good.

October 27th – A quieter, and altogether more successful hunter was just up the waterway at Bentley Bridge. Initially quite well hidden in the reeds, I clearly put this young grey heron off his fishing stroke too.

I love herons – haven’t had one here for a bit. I still find it remarkable that I now see them in the most urban of areas. A real signifier of environmental improvement.