October 7th – An odd bike spotted in a rack near work. It was so odd, I had to take a closer look.

It’s a Kettler city bike. Kettler are, I believe, a German brand with an office in Redditch selling into the UK. It’s a large bike, and looks very heavy indeed. Dynamo lights powered by a bottle, rather than hub generator and rim brakes – the rear an unusual crossover cantilever design mounter under the chainstays – mark this bike out as being a cheap model. More expensive steeds of this type would have hub brakes.

The bike clearly needs some love – the chain was as dry as old bones and red rusty, as were many of the components. I’m tempted to pop back just to lube the chain. It must squeak like hell in use.

An unusual thing, for sure…

October 6th – It was a dreadful morning commute, and running late on the way home meant I didn’t have much time to stop. The heavy rains and wind of the morning sapped all my reserves of energy and patience; the riding was difficult and the driving poor. 

Thankfully, by my somewhat late return, it was dry with an interesting dusk sky and what I suspect was a decent sunset, although I couldn’t get in a good place to see it.

From Walsall Station it looked impressive, if a little ominous. As I passed the Black Cock at Bullings Heath later on, it started to spot with rain again, even though the moon was large and clear.

A horrid day for commuting.

October 5th – I returned to Brownhills from Pelsall over Ryders Mere and the old rail line. Dropping onto the canal just by the Pelsall Road, I notices two fresh pieces of street art by Voms on the inside parapets of the old rail bridge.

They’re competent, and well-excuted; I like them a lot. An interesting thing.

October 5th – Still feeling rotten, I slipped past the border guards and spun through the principality, entering via the Cannock Extension Canal. At Pelsall Junction, the old tonnage house has been up for sale for a bit and I assume from recent clearance works that it’s been sold. It’ll make an interesting house, but living there could present challenges, especially for access.

The canal, commons and trees looked beautiful on a grey and dismal afternoon, which despite an occasionally interesting sky, was thoroughly uninspiring.

A ride that was better than expected, to be honest.

madoldbaggage:

Another beautiful Sunday for cycling. It was a joy to wake this morning to sun once again after the interlude yesterday of much needed rain.

We cycled into Birmingham mainly along the canal system and enjoyed a sandwich in Brindley Place. Birmingham was very quiet almost as though everyone had forgotten to get out of bed! That’s for the winter not for a gorgeous Autumnal day like today.

We passed the heron on the way in and upon our return. It was lovely to see one within a mile of the city centre.

It was pleasing to see that yet another old canal building and the arches attached to it now being renovated just as you enter the city centre. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

One sour note, on Tuesday I cut my ride short because of a near miss. Today I had another one, this time along Longwood Lane in Aldridge when a horse box nearly took me out whilst overtaking. It seems (and it is a fact) that every ride is now accompanied by such an event, that leaves me saddened and shaken. Is it too much to ask that drivers just take it a little easier and pay a little more respect?

Next week Norfolk!

October 4th – In Goscote, what I know as the Pelsall swan family. Dad and a couple of cygnets lost to, in all probability, a fox, the tree remaining young and mum seem to be doing well, and it was good to see them.

Noticeably more friendly that the Catshill brood, they came to see if I had food, before scudding away when they realised none was coming. 

I haven’t seen the Catshill swans for ages, but the Swan Lady pointed out there were cygnets on Chasewater there now, so they’ve probably joined the wider flock there.

Following these lovely birds this year has been a real joy.

October 4th – Another enchanting golden hour, and I needed something important. Having had no luck at the big Sainsbury at Cannock the day before, I struck gold at Reedswood.

Progress was slow, but I wended up the canal and down the cycleway to north Walsall in the most gorgeous light, and back in a equally gorgeous but cold sunset.

The weather really is great at the moment.

October 3rd – Bridgtown has my heart. I’m having a bit of a rough time right now, but had to nip to Great Wyrley on my way home, so took the chance to spin over to Sainsbury’s while I was there. That involved a shot through the backstreets of Bridgtown, the sleepy village-within-a-connurbation just off the A5. 

I adore the blue-diamond brick pavements, terraces and shops; it’s intimate, and proud street corner war memorial, and buried away behind the hideous modern hotel, wedged between terrace gable ends, a garden of remembrance I’d never noticed before.

It glowed in the golden hour, with ruby red rosehips, war mural and roses. It seems to have a rather proud caretaker, too. A lovely place.

October 2nd – The skies were dark and dusk was settling on Walsall when I came from work, tired and finding it hard to keep any speed up. I was loaded with shopping, and unwell, so it was a real drag; but as soon as I looked around me, I realised that I was entering the autumn dusk, and actually, it’s a thing of beauty.

I’m glad to note either my hands are steadier this year, or the camera is better in low light than previous ones, as none of these images was taken with a tripod.

The darkness isn’t all bad.