balltobuild:

Saturday 14th June 2014

” Sent to Coventry “

Well not quite Coventry, but Polesworth on the outskirts of Tamworth.

Another great canal greenway that cuts through the Staffordshire countryside, good towpaths and very friendly locals and boaters. A well deserved pint ( or two ) at the Bulls Head.

After listening to the locals discussing the possibility of England winning the world cup, it was time to head back, 19mls or so all in. Another stretch of the canal system chalked off the to do list !

balltobuild:

Saturday 14th June 2014

“ Lets do the Fazeley ”

With a free weekend ahead of us it was a spur of the moment decision to investigate the Birmingham and Fazeley canal. Although we have cycled this canal many times before ! we have never got further north than the Dog & Doublet pub.

Todays trip was to start at the Dog & Doublet, and just see were we ended up. A few miles further and another decision has to be made !

Fradley or Coventry ?

After a brief rest to take on fluids, we find ourselves heading towards Coventry.

Ooh, cycled that bit last week!

madoldbaggage:

I love poppies. After sunflowers they’re my favourite bloom. Everywhere we rode today there were fields full of poppies. So beautiful and something that you rarely saw when I was a child due to the pesticides used back then by farmers and because fields never seemed to be left fallow for a year. These were taken from NCN54 looking towards Lichfield and the cathedral.

Riding is getting easier for me now. After the way I felt in the winter I am enjoying getting fitter again and enjoying being with Aiden on longer rides. Today was nearly 40 miles. I feel good!

madoldbaggage:

This one is for Bob. Out for a ride on Friday and went to Chasewater and these little ones were were enjoying the sun at the very end of the canal. I know he follows their welfare. Dad was feeding on sandwiches just to the left of the picture, kindly being supplied by two people who were picnicking. 

Aw, thanks!

June 14th – The rest of the ride was periodically odd and awe-inspiring. My energy levels were poor and I was suffering badly from hayfever, but throwing the bike down that incredible woodland downhills was a terrific as ever. On the other side of the canal south of Tamhorn, a fallen tree blocked the way in the most beautiful, vine-draped manner. 

It’s clearly been a good season to for foxgloves, which are currently showing wonderfully in the hedges and canal banks. 

Returning along the A51 and heading for Waitrose, I spotted two practicing unicyclists – these lads were great, and made for a very unusual sight. I could have watched them for ages; they were confident and good riders. I could never attain the balance required to master one.

Later, I emerged from the supermarket to see the adjacent bike stand taken by two clearly well-loved road bikes; a very popular Apollo TDF, and a B-Twin; both looked ridden well. These are low end, but very popular road bikes representing good value for money. The interesting thing about them is that they were both small steeds, and had been very creatively locked using a D lock and cable. 

The threading of the cable lock could have been better, but it was clearly thought about. I don’t know who the riders were, but I wish them well.

Hopefully in the next couple of days my hayfever will subside…

June 14th – I took a spin over to Hopwas Hays Wood via Wall. It was a little too muddy, to be honest, and the skies threatened the whole time I was out. But it was a nice ride for all that.

Crossing Harehurst Hill from Claypit Lane on the bridleway to the old Watling Street, when I looked south, all I could see before me was a healthy, lush crop of beans. Northwards, a similarly decent crop of wheat. 

Looks like a decent season for the farmers if the weather holds.

June 13th – Credit where it’s due, several people (including myself, and I know @TheStymaster) complained about the water damaged towpath at Anchor Bridge last week.

Following heavy rains, the hardcore always washes out from either side of this concrete block, leaving a 6 inch void either side that can easily cause a pedestrian or cyclist to fall or injure themselves. It’s a recurring problem, and the Canal & River Trust appear to have sent someone out during the week to fix the damage.

It’s not a permanent fix – the loose material has just been shovelled back in, and first heavy rain, it’ll wash out again – but at least it’s safe for now. This needs a much better solution in the long term (like compacting properly, and maybe mixing in a little cement), but well done for filling the hole.

June 13th – I cycled home from work on a sunny afternoon, and called to do some shopping on the way. I noted that the Pier Street footbridge has had a clean and is the process of getting a lick of paint ready for the canal festival in a couple of weeks. It’s nice to see, and Brian Stringer has been working hard to make this happen.

The marina has also had a mow and tidy up too. It’s a nice spot on a sunny day, it really is.

balltobuild:

Friday The 13th June 2014

” Rush hour ! what rush hour ? “

Cycling through the suburbs of Birmingham and Solihull at 5.30pm ! en route for our dinner at the Boat pub, Catherine De Barnes.

The grind of rush hour traffic was evident at all the road bridges, however we just breezed through without a care in the world. Herons, ducks, Flora & fauna it’s all there !

But for the occasional toot of the horn or the growl of an engine, just to remind you of the hustle and bustle that exists beyond the tree lines.

Slow roast pork belly & mash for me, and fish & chips for Mrs towpaths & trails. ” Happy days “

Yay! The Balls is *back*!