November 22nd – Passing through Aldridge on the canal on my way home, the scent of woodsmoke was never far away. There are few things better than seeing an occupied narrowboat with a nicely smoking chimney. The sight and smell are a joy to behold – and the whole scene was set off beautifully by the autumn colours.
March 9th – Later on, in Lichfield, I cycled around the periphery of the market as it was winding down. There is a sad and unexpected joy here, that really shouldn’t be occurring. The cobbles here – laid only in 2006 at a cost in excess of £1,200,000 – are badly executed and in an apparently poor grade of York Stone. They have, in patches sunk – despite the relatively light traffic; about 40% are loose and rattly, and many have broken up due to frost, water ingress and abuse. As a consequence, when you ride a bike over them, it is to an accompaniment of rattles, clicks and clatters that really are joyful.
I doubt I’d find the enjoyment so great had my own borough council paid so much for such a dreadfully poor job.
August 29th – I don’t know if this is the result of a natural process, a disease or a parasite but all the sycamores I’m seeing at the moment have these brown/yellow scabs on the leaves. This one was on the canal at Hopwas Hays Wood, but I’m seeing it everywhere. I’m aware of the leaf miner problem with horse chestnut trees, but didn’t think that affected sycamores. Any ideas, anyone?
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 