Tag: 365daysofbiking

October 31st – I came back to Walsall as the Cross City was broken again, and it at least meant the wind would be at my back. The ride was as bad as I expected; people were driving like morons and the road conditions were dreadful. Still, I had good waterproofs on, and it was just a matter of mashing away until I got home. The arboretum Junction was spray-central: I don’t know what it is with the asphalt here, but it retains a layer of water that just doesn’t dissipate, resulting in a permanent traffic haze while it rains.

Winter. It came so quickly…

October 31st – A grim commute home. The scent of rain had been in the air all day, and in the afternoon, the showers grew more frequent and intense. At Tyseley, I listened to the rain on the roof with a heavy heart. I don’t mind commuting jun the rain too much, but there was a keen wind and with the dark evenings upon us, enjoyment was likely to be thin on the ground.

Having missed my train, I waited at a near deserted Tyseley station for the next service. It was dry, but dingy and darkness was falling. This odd little place really has got a hold on me. I’m fascinated by the dark decay of the station, it’s unexplained wooden screens (seemingly doubling as urinals these days) and mock-victorian fittings. It’s quite the oddest station I’ve used; it should feel desolate and threatening, but doesn’t. I can’t work out why it’s fascinating me so much.

October 30th – An odd day. I was in Kings Hill, between Darlaston and Wednesbury, and I had to nip to Tyseley. I figured the quickest way was to hop on the canal and cycle to Galton Bridge, where I could hop on the train. It was a nice, peaceful yet quick ride and I enjoyed it immensely. The waterways were quiet, and very autumnal. The only sound that disturbed me was the thud of a half-term holiday boat hirer crashing his craft through the narrows at Pudding Green…

October 29th – The day had been better, weather-wise; it was milder, and the rain had mostly stopped. The day had that never-quite-light feel about it, though, and the sunset at 4:45pm was ominous. Looking towards the city from Tyseley Station, central Birimingham seemed close enough to walk, but the railway signals strung out in an undulating line following the course of the track told a different story. I love that view, for all all it’s faults. Brum, you’re a rough dame but I wouldn’t be without you.

October 29th – One of the many excellent things about Moor Street Station in Birmingham is the Moorish Cafe. Cheap, good food, served to folk on the move, like me, with speed and great service. As I stopped for a butty this morning, I noticed the usual table decorations were out, and halloween pumpkins were in. Must have taken ages to carve them all. I figure pumpkin soup could be on the menu here for quite some time…

October 28th – Looping back up the canal, I headed for Chasewater. On my way, I passed The Anchor. It was very autumnal – almost wintry in the twilight. I’d better get used to this. I think we’re in for a wet and windy season. Time, I think, to strip the bike down and clean and grease everything ready for winter.

October 28th – Today, British Summertime ended, and darkness fell an hour earlier. Why we continue this silly ritual of clock changing, I do not know; but from now until the end of March, there will be lots of night shots. This always leaves me feeling down. Still, it’s only seven and a half weeks until the shortest day, and it’s opening out from there.

The weather was atrocious. Rain, wind and a keen nip in the air meant only a short ride was in order to bag some shopping and check a few things out around Brownhills.

Travelling up Coppice Side, I noted the fence and gates to the landfill that operated here for much of the 80s had been renewed. Problematic, both in operation and reclamation, the site isn’t secure and folk walk their dogs and explore the landscaped mound here. What few realise is the meaning of the warning sign on the gate – it indicates an explosion risk. The former tip still vents gas. For years, technicians came on a regular basis and ignited a flare to burn the methane off, but that practice seems to have stopped. Not the best place to enjoy a Park Drive while walking the dog, I’d tenure…

October 27th – A run out to Lichfield to pick up some shopping… oddly, the city held everything I wanted; more often than not these days, the place disappoints. What’s never a let-down is the scenery, although it’s riddled with photographic cliches. The Old Lady of the Vale has been photographed from every angle possible, as has much of Lichfield. I do love the view over the Garden of Remembrance, though. Beacon Park is looking nice, too, but I have to admit, for sheer autumnal beauty, Walsall Arboretum trumps it. 
After that admission, I expect the border guards to refuse me admission on my next trip… 

October 26th – Most of this week I’d be lucky, but on Friday it finally caught up with me. The rash of delays and cancellations to local train services ‘operated’ by London Midland – currently running at 411 lost services in three weeks – had caused me no end of grief the week before, but so far, I’d missed them. That was until I had to come back from Birmingham New Street to Walsall in a hurry at peak time. Great. Half an hour longer I had to wait, and even then the train barely limped in. Over the past few weeks I’l lost hours of time this way. It would be nice to think the train company actually gave a toss, but to be quite honest, I don’t think they do. A terrible situation for all who rely on local trains.