July 27th – Scenes from a Black Country life. This is a sunny, summery and somewhat industrial Station Street in Darlaston. I passed this way on my way to work, and noted a tradition here that’s been going on for decades. Those men stood at the window are buying breakfast sandwiches from the Caparo Atlas canteen, which supplants its income by selling to anybody bold enough to stand on the upturned crate and stick their head in through the open window, and shout their requirements. The food is good, if the reputation is to be believed, and Darlaston working folk have been doing this for years, as far back as Wartime when this whole estate was part of GKN.

Bacon, egg, black pudding and shrooms, and a tea, thanks me love.

July 27th – This is the old Walkways youth centre in Littleton Street, Walsall. Standing near the access to the new Tesco superstore in Walsall, it’s now so out of place that one might think it had been beamed down from a spaceship. I have no idea what this building was originally, but it’s clearly old, and if studied closely, is actually rather handsome. Now on the market after abandonment by its last owners, Walsall Council, it’s being pitched as a ‘Development Opportunity’. In the local arson sweepstakes (this week seeing the loss of the BOAK building in Station Street). I reckon this sad, apparently doomed old building is probably on even odds with the former Workhouse Guardian’s Office in a similarly marooned position over at the Manor Hospital.

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July 26th – Only three days ago, I mused on the coming harvest. I noticed this evening, whilst cycling back through Lynn, near Stonnall, that it had begun. This is a real seasonal marker for me; I know now that we’re advancing from the flowering to the fruiting, and sadly onwards to autumn. This field had been harvested and partially baled, the giany matted rolls of straw awaiting bagging. one on the other side ofLynn Lane had already been finished. The first of this year’s wheat crop has now left for milling.

Meanwhile, at Sandhills, a view Mike ‘VWCampervan’ said he’d like to see in the sun (the last time I featured this, it was green, wet wheat on a dull day. Now, it was a classic golden field on a glorious sunny high summer evening. Wonderful.

July 26th – I’m really liking this summer malarkey. I think it might catch on. Commuting in just a teeshirt and jeans is so liberating. This morning it was dull, but warm. Whilst changing trains at Nuneaton, I leant my bike up against the glass of the waiting room. As I did so, I noticed this little indicator of the advancing seasons: a moth. I’ve no idea what species it is, but the way it was resting caught my eye. With the warm sun and still conditions, there will be a lot of Lepidoptera emerge over the next few days. There’s been a marked shortage this year. 

Hello, little fella. Welcome to summer!

July 25th – Spotted tacked to a telegraph pole in Stonnall, this looks like it might be a fun thing. This Saturday. Have no knowledge of it other than what’s on the flyer. I assume it’s at the smallholding with the pigs just in Gravelly Lane behind Stonnall Church. Might well take a look at that if the weather is good. 

July 25th – In New Road, in Shenstone, there are a pair of curious, semi-detached houses. They look World War II era to me; there’s something austere about them. But they also have a very odd feature, that I’ve not seen anywhere else. One house bears the legend ‘Defiance’ and the other ‘Victory’, inlaid in a most striking way. There’s history right there, but I’ve never been able to find out anything about their origins. Anyone know anything?

July 24th – It’s actually quite hard to get a good view from the top of Shire Oak Hill. All the best vistas are occluded, either by trees or houses. This one, however, isn’t too shabby. From the Chester Road entrance of the Shire Oak Quarry/Landfill, one can get respectable zoom shots on a clear day. Clicking on the above image to zoom will show that this was a very clear, haze-free evening, despite the low wind level. In the middleground is Lichfield Cathedral, the Old Lady of the Vale. Beyond and to her left, the huge silo of the Coors (formerly Bass) brewery in Burton can clearly be seen. To the right, the great hill of Swadlincote and Repton, and beyond, the disused cooling towers of Derbyshire’s otherwise demolished Willington Power Station. That’s a fine view.

July 24th – Grove Hill is a local landmark that’s very visible from the Chester Road. The subject of huge mythology, there’s really very little known about it. Presumably, but not necessarily a burial mound, the lone tree on top makes a lovely viewpoint and a distinctly notable feature. I noticed a recent conversation on Facebook where it was asserted that the hill was called Gallows Hill, and was once the site of a military encampment. Sadly, I think the physical geography has a simpler explanation.

I believe the tree still exists – and I doubt it’s original – to keep the soil on top of the hill. It’s windy up there, and soil erosion is a problem. The root system will work to contain the earth, giving the reason why the farmer never removed it and put up with ploughing round it year after year. Note the short ridge hedgerow to the left – it’s on the generally windward side of the hill. The difference in soil height is caused by the hedge doing it’s job, which is also to prevent erosion by the wind.

It’s a lovely spot, with some fascinating folklore. However, like most fantastical tales, I suspect the actuality is somewhat mundane.

July 24th – The trains were awful this evening. I left New Street at 5:35pm, and my train limped into Blake Street, where it prematurely terminated – an hour later. Hot and bothered, I welcomed the journey through Little Aston and Mill Green. I noticed how fine Little Aston church looked in the sunlight. It’s and interesting building; sometimes I don’t like it, other times it looks wonderful, depending on the light and the season. I do love how it’s still got the air of a rural parish church, even though it’s surrounded by suburban sprawl. The surrounding meadow just makes it that bit more beautiful.

July 23rd – It’s really nice to have summer on her throne right now. I’ve waited so long for this. The countryside is drying out, and crops that were green and late a few days ago are turning golden in the hot sun. Here at Springhill, near Stonnall, this field of barley was rippling gently in the breeze. Soon, it’ll be time for another of the seasonal markers to tumble into place; it’ll be time to bring the harvest home. Let’s hope for a late scorcher, eh?