October 27th – Ah, Mr. Calico… we meet again. This male cat (he is male, and unneutered by the looks) was hunting mallard on the canal in Pleck as I spun through on my way to work. I’ve seen him a few times, always in exactly the same spot. He talks to me and curses me for disturbing his sport (although the ducks were honking at him and causing a drama long before I got close).

He always moves high up on the embankment from where he can look down on me in safety, then meows long wailing cries, always seeming like curses.

Somebody loves that lad. He’s in fine fettle. And good voice.

October 26th – I popped up to Shire Oak Park on the way back, which was also looking good in its autumnal jacket. It was looking less green, but it was pleasant and tidy as it usually is.

On my return to Brownhills a splash of colour caught my eye on a verge on the Chester Road; beautiful vivid red rosebuds, and by Anchor Bridge the ink caps were growing well.

Autumn is a bit of a curate’s egg sometimes.

October 26th – I went out in the morning in a heavy wind to run  some errands. British Summer Time had ended the night before, and I guess I was avoiding the evening darkness, too.

I passed Jockey Meadows on the Walsall Wood/Shelfield border and noticed the water meadow was still very green. The cows here during the summer have done a great job, and the pasture looks in good condition.

It won’t be long now before even this spot becomes brown with autumn.

October 25th – I spotted them by chance as I shot down Church Street in Chasetown – the were on the mown grass in the little park next to the school. Four red deer ladies, out for their constitutional, and looking maybe for the odd carrot.

The were awfully tolerant and posed for me happily for ages. They’re clearly very used to people being around.

The look in good health, and fine condition. So good to see them after not seeing any for ages – they’re beautiful animals.

October 24th – The sky had cleared when I alighted from the train at Shenstone, and there was a most curious sunset.It looked beautiful, but I felt so wet and cold that I couldn’t be bothered to chase after it. I just wanted to get home.

Riding up Main Street in Shenstone at dusk, I was reminded how the village always looks better at night.

This was my last commute of British Summer Time; this time next week, my journey will be in darkness. It’s that time of year again.It’s been an excellent Summer, and although I’m sad at the passing, I’m ready for this now.

Bring it on.

October 24th – I was in Redditch, which is quite a rarity for me these days. It wasn’t a great day weather-wise, either, and the rain caught me on the way back – taking shelter in the bakery at the top of Unicorn Hill, I realised I had to go for my train. I got soaked.

Like Telford, it’s easy to take the mickey out of Redditch, but it’s really rather beautiful, and at no time does it show more than autumn. From the neat order of Church Green, to the timber frame houses of Ipsley, the grey heron on Arrow Lake and the peaceful solitude of the cycleway, this isn’t a bad place.

It’s even better when the sun’s out…

October 23 – A little further on up the canal, the vegetation is changing colour, but is still remarkably green. The canal here is peaceful, and a little urban oasis where herons fish and ducks potter in the rushes. The roving bridge here was to allow access to the Anson Branch – a lost, truncated waterway whose last job was mainly to supply water to Reedswood power station, itself long demolished.

The fate of the Anson Branch was sealed by the M6, which cut it short, but the bridge is still in use to access the road from the other side.

23rd October – Sorry about the quality of the photos today, I did something horrid to the camera settings by accident and didn’t notice. Ho hum.

From the Walsall Canal at Bentley Bridge, the gas holders at Pleck are a landmark. No longer in use, the site they’re on looks likely to be redeveloped and these huge structures dismantled. I’ll miss them, really; they were a landmark for decades for miles around, and particularly from the adjacent motorway. 

But they are so very ugly…