May 3rd – The swans who’ve nested on the Walsall Canal at Bentley Bridge seem very house proud. The sitting partner today was busily removing debris and weaving new reeds into their huge nest, while their mate was finding suitable pieces from further afield to improve the construction.
I love how busy they are, and how they work in careful partnership. Magical.
May 2nd – After what seems like weeks of grey, cold weather it was wonderful to be out in the sun. I hit the quarry road behind the hall and rode down to Bodymoor Heath where hopped on the canal, and rode through Tamworth to Hopwas, returning through Hints, Weeford and Shenstone.
The greening trees this year are almost as colourful as autumn, and I’ve never before noticed the view of Hopwas Church from the Farm Bridge.
let’s hope the fine weather sticks around a bit.
May 2nd – What a difference an hour made.
It had been a miserable day – maybe a decent start, but over lunchtime and early afternoon, it rained, and the wind was gusty. Not great bank holiday weather.
I’d resolved, with some faith in a weather forecast that predicted a better end to the day, to ride out to Middleton Hall for cake. I set out in the rain, and sped through damp, dripping countryside. And then, the sun came out. It was warm, too.
I enjoyed tea and great cake, and a shifty around this architectural and historical gem. I have no idea what the wood carvings are about, but they were cute.
I think a proper spring arrived this afternoon.
May 1st – Born to be wild, still running free, the Newtown One.
The Muscovy Pimpernel still evades capture.
May 1st – A blustery and occasionally wet ride over to Walton on Trent and back through Lullington and Clifton Campville – but true to my promise, I found the colours of spring.
Songbirds were in the hedgerows – never seen so many goldfinches – and blossom, wildflowers and emerging leaves made everything bright.
I couldn’t get the sunshine, but I got the season. A great ride.
April 20th – As the weather had cleared, I stopped to snap a familiar view – from Shire Oak to Lichfield and beyond. Burton, Swadlincote and the disused cooling towers of Willington were in sunlight. In the foreground, the Old Ladies of the vale looked constant and imperious.
I shall never tire of this view.
April 30th – So, there I’d done gone and promised to bring ny ill mate the best of summer, and it rains, and blows, and hails on a very blustery, intemperate Saturday. Just where do you find the beauty?
You slip out as the worst is passed, and get your feet gloriously wet in the local bluebell wood, and remember what it is to be alive in the outdoors, with the smell of wet earth, pollen and rising sap.
Just wish the light wasn’t so poor.
April 29th – A long day, which broke very, very bad news. A dear, dear friend who gave, and continues to give me online courage and companionship throughout my time as BrownhillsBob, is ill.
They aren’t going to be doing much exploring for a bit, so I’m going to try and bring them some summer in the posts here.
……
My friend, it’s going to be a hard journey and neither of us know where it’s going. But you have the very best of my dreams, hopes, cares and support.
I can’t do that journey for you, I wish I could, but I can make this journey in your honour, and try and bring you the nicest stuff I find.
As I rode home last night, darkness fell. You have my word, old friend, that I’ll try and bring you the light as much as I can.
Remember what I said, and you know where I am if it gets to you.
I will ride this road with you as far as I can.
Some sentiments go beyond that which my fumbling words can encompass.
April 28th – Another striking return is of the leaves to the row of trees on Stafford Park in Telford. I love this regimented row, which in winter always makes me think of Joni Mitchell and her song ‘Urge for Going’ with the line ‘Shivering trees standing in naked rows’ – but in spring, summer and autumn, when caught at the right angle, these carefully planted and well maintained trees are a joy to the heart.
Such a lovely shade of green.
April 28th – A beautiful morning but yet again, very cold. It’s like spring has been underway in every form except the temperature, which is stuck resolutely in early March.
The chill hasn’t stopped the spring arrivals, however; daisies, buttercups, cowslips and other grassland flowers are booming, and the dandelions in particular are superb at the moment.
These lovely yellow flowers, so often ignored, are a gorgeous colour and actually fascinating if you stop to study them.
So great to have them back.
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