December 14th – There’s a small stub of driveway or track off Old Park Road in Kings Hill called Kings Hill Field. I think once, it went right across the park to the Darlaston Road, and I suspect it’s the remnant of an old right of way, now curtailed by the lovely Kings Hill Park. There’s a small row of terraces, and the gates to the park; and in the right light, by chance, it looks beautiful.
This is why I love this place.
December 14th – I went back to Kings Hill, to have another shot at that night view of Wednesbury, this time with the FZ72. It’s still not quite what I’d like, so will try on a clear, crisp night with the Nikon (tonight was quite murky and damp, so wasn’t ideal). Still, the camera made a decent fist of it considering the operator hasn’t a clue what he’s actually doing.
I know what I want here, and I’m not sure if it’s even possible with the kit I have. I think the Nikon may be the job though, it can do the harsh light thing I like.
Closer than yesterday. It still looks gorgeous.
December 13th – I briefly caught the lantern parade at Chasewater, which was OK but didn’t seem to have the atmosphere or hubbub of the year before – perhaps it was the weather. Perhaps it was me.
On the way back though, the riding was fast and muddy, and Anglesey Wharf in the darkness was oddly ethereal.
Here’s to a better week, eh?
December 13th – Chasewater was grey, foggy and very, very wet when I rode through near dusk. In a curious nether-world at the moment, there isn’t the optimism here of the new year, and with the wakeboard guys all packed up, there’s an out-of-season, end of the pier feel to the place, which I rather like.
Of course, not much was visible today, it was all just shades of grey fading into the lake.
December 12th – Heading out late, I wanted to catch the festival of music and light at the Canoe and Outdoor Centre in Brownhills – but was too late. It looked like they’d had fun though, despite the unpleasant weather.
It has been an utterly foul few weeks, this run-up to Christmas. Wind and rain, and relentless overcast days, and it’s really hit local events like Christmas markets, light switch-ons and fayres.
Let’s hope it all blows itself out for the holiday.
December 12th – A wet, horrible day, but a remarkable, surprising find – a rosy earthstar.
This curious thing, looking like plasticine or glazed ceramic, is a fungus like toadstools. It’s relatively rare, and I’ve never seen one before. It’s in a bunch of about 5 in various stages of life on a small patch of CLayhanger Common, and I spotted it entirely by chance.
A great find on a very unpleasant day.
December 11th – Also at Telford, by the M54 just n the embankment by the cycleway, a fine crop of crabapples even the birds are not bothering with.
Perhaps they’re too bitter, or hard, but there’s something a bit sad and dramatic about a tree with no leaves, and an unfallen, unwanted crop of fruit.
December 11th – As the grey, damp days and dark nights wind on, it’s hard finding colour in the world, and it can be hard to keep this thing positive – but it’s not hard at all when you spot things as lovely as these polyanthus, recently planted at Telford station, which seem to be blooming just in time for Christmas.
I was making a flying visit at lunchtime, and the journey was long and fraught – but these cheered me on no end.
December 10th – As I approached Brownhills, it occurred to me it was a good time to try a long exposure shot of Clayhanger canal bridge.
Now that didn’t work out too bad at all – really pleased with this.
December 10th – A photo I’ve wanted a crack at for a while, and will return to with a different camera, I think.
The twin sisters of Wednesbury, at night, from Kings Hill. This is a fantastic sight and I’m not sure how best to capture it. There’s something really warm, cosy and maybe even a little Christmassy about the lights, the houses, the skyline and somnambulant colours.
The Black Country often isn’t conventionally beautiful – but the beauty it does display is breathtaking and unique. How I love this place.
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