March 24th – The plague of pink postboxes has spread to Wednesbury!
Fear not, people: there’s been a buzz on social media about these (and a surprising amount of people have asked me) over the past few weeks. The postboxes are pink because they’re being repainted, and the pink is an undercoat for the more traditional pillar-box red they normally wear.
Pink sort of does suit them, though…
March 22nd – Minutes later, in the same ethereal half light, waiting at the Arboretum junction for a green light. I spend a lot of time waiting here, as the induction loop isn’t great at picking up bicycles.
Still, it gives me time to appreciate the victorian gatehouse clocktower at the Arboretum…
March 22nd – We’re in that interesting time of year again now with very curious, half-light dusks. It felt dark, but wasn’t; the sky was really quite light, and it seemed the whole world was in some curious interregnum between night and day.
I have no idea if this is a real astronomical thing or not; but it’s great for those Late Night Feeling type photos, like these, taken from the junction of Hatherton Street and Wisemore in Walsall.
March 22nd – I’m a big fan of Middleton Lakes, the former quarry and gravel pit complex handed to the RSPB. Situated on the Tame near Kingsbury, these mixed habitat wetlands and lakes are a haven for birds of all varieties, and are now attracting bird spotters from across the country.
I remember this in the late 2000s and before, when it was an active site, with conveyors and huge machines operating; now it’s a peaceful haven. In the last couple of years though, work has been carried out installing flood defences in the form of walls and an earth dyke, which stop the Tame flowing into the adjacent canal. The work has been sensitive and well executed.
I noticed today, however, the site was a good bit more manicured than formerly; there are gravel paths snaking over the site, and the odd portacabin. What had once been almost wild seems to be being reigned back in, and I think Middleton Lakes are in danger of becoming over-managed, with little distinction between them, and Kingsbury Water Park adjacent.
This is a great place; I hope it isn’t spoiled.
March 22nd – Spotted just off Camp Lane, between Little Hay and Canwell, a small herd (is that the right term? Flock?) of alpacas. I love the colour variations. Gorgeous animals, that never fail to raise a smile, and I was quite shocked to discover how stroppy they actually are.
March 21st – Despite the cold, spring is well underway now, and nothing will stop it. The early crops are emerald green, the blackthorn is in blossom, the swans are doing the nesting thing, and the local amphibians have been spawning in the small pool at Shire Oak Park.
Soon, the clocks will be forward and the darkness will be behind me for another year. Winter wasn’t too bad this year… And now, the promise of a new season.
This’ll do.
March 21st – A quick spin to Chasewater on a rather cold day. I noticed a fence has finally been erected around the south side of the Nine-Foot pool, which will hopefully stop idiots driving onto the soft ground there. Thankfully, there’s a kissing gate for explorers, so normal access is unhindered.
At Anglesey Basin, the sluice valve is open again, so I doubt we’ll see the reservoir overspill this year. Nice to see Gem’s chimney sweep back for a bit too.
March 20th – Almost a lost afternoon. I slunk out of work to get another ride in around the canals to Wolverhampton, but suffered a mechanical failure. After a failed bodge fix, I grabbed another bike and escaped late, in bad humour.
A run through Bloxwich and on to the canal at Sneyd opened up to a great ride – up to Wolverhampton, back down the mainline through the Coseley Tunnel to West Brom, then back through Great Bridge, Toll End, Moxley and Darlaston.
It was surprisingly grey, but not a bad evening at all.
The ride was fast, enjoyable and fixed my bad mood a treat.
March 19th – Then, there was the city in a golden, very golden hour. I met a companion, had a good meal and a natter, and we rode back through a gorgeous evening, out from the city centre on the canal to Smethwick, then back through the Sandwell Valley. A gorgeous ride.
It was smoggy, and the air quality was poor; even the air conditioning at Gas Street was belching steam into the air. But it made for such a soft, golden light that kissed and flattered all it touched in this varied, architecturally eccentric city.
Man, I love this place.
March 19th – In a dark, unlit tunnel under Spaghetti Junction, in the exact spot where, a year ago, Bill Drummond placed thousands of daffodils in jam jars under the skylight, he (or someone acting in his spirit) has left an important message Birmingham (and indeed all of us) should heed.
Brilliant. Just brilliant
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 