April 14th – From the quarry entrance on the Chester Road at Shire Oak, the view towards the central Staffordshire plains is fascinating. On this murky day, only the Lady of the Vale and her sister spires could be easily seen, with a mere suggestion of the warehouses at Fradley in the distance. In the foreground, Sandhills, Springhill, Summerhill and Pipehill roll and fall, a patchwork of texture and spring colour.
April 14th – Last commute to Redditch for a bit. Despite a dull, overcast day, the River Arrow is looking as beautiful as ever – and this is only 100 metres from heavy industry. Utterly remarkable. Sadly, not seen any kingfishers here this week…
April 13th – Morning downhill commute. Long uphill run from Little Aston, the hill crests at the lights at the junction of Streetly Lane and Four Oaks Road. An exhilirating blast at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour ensues. Just right for blowing away the morning blues.
April 13th – The fields at Lanes Farm (or Home Farm) have been ploughed and planted now. Looking over from the Lichfield Road, I noticed the spire of Brownhills Church was clearly visible.
April 12th – I’ve been able to find out little of John Smith. He was clearly a big cheese, because he could afford a handsome, three-storey foursquare traditional redbrick Staffordshire farmhouse – Ivy House Farm, Lower Stonnall. I pass this name stone set into the barn an awful lot, and often wonder if the stonemason did that deliberately, or if he was just illiterate, and copying something written for him. It’s a charming little mystery.
April 12th – It’s amazing just how far spring has advanced in just a few short, warm days. Birds are nesting, the first cowslips and bluebells are making their debut, and now the oilseed rape is close to being in full bloom.
I just hope that wasn’t it for summer this year…
April 11th – The Goscote Valley in North Walsall is often condemned as a polluted, post industrial wasteland. This is sad as although it suffers the issues of any urban green lung, the cycle trail that runs parallel to the Ford Brook – tributary to the River Tame – is a quiet and speedy way to travel. Today, my journey was punctuated by the sight of a kingfisher, a large male fox and a buzzard. Nature has a habit of surprising you.
April 11th – Credit crunch? Recession? Darlaston and it’s former workplaces never recovered from the damage of the Thatcher years. Roof removed as an early eighties tax dodge, the Charles Richards Imperial Bolt Works remains as a forlorn monument to what’s been lost.
April 10th – Low sun dapples the small, poolside copse on the Aldershawe Estate at Claypit Lane. This evening was more like late summer than early spring. It’s impossible not to love this countryside.
April 10th – Wall as seen from Bullmoor Lane, near Muckley Corner, on a short late afternoon ride.
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 