December 22nd – That dreaded time when you have to do Christmas shopping. Taking a run up to Lichfield through the quiet lanes of Stonnall and Wall, I stopped at the hilltop overlooking Lichfield to catch my breath before entering the madness that is Lichfield at Christmas. I noticed Wall village cricket ground looking sad, forlorn and idle; hopefully, now the shortest day has passed it won’t be long until this field sees the white-clad lads out to defend their honour…
December 21st – Recklessly running an errand into Pelsall without my passport, I took a scout round for the village Christmas tree, which was certain to make an excellent photo. There was just one snag: I couldn’t find it. After a surreptitious scout around the obvious locations, I gave up and took some night shots of the principality looking a bit festive. The only thing that came close was a tree near station road, interestingly lit to make it look conical. I decided to quickly move on – some tyke had clearly made off with the Pelsall pine and without my visa, I’d be prime suspect….
December 21st – At the heart of Brownhills, and its malaise, sits Ravens Court. This privately owned shopping precinct, built in the late 60’s, was never beautiful. Exhibiting all the worst architectural features of the period, combined with shoddy, cheap construction, it focusses the depression and desolation of Brownhills into itself like a black hole. As the number of occupied units tends to zero, the residents of the town await the development that is slated to sweep the majority (but not all, naturally) of it away – a new Tesco superstore, which the retail behemoth may start building in late 2012, if they can be bothered. Meanwhile, the soul of the town I love grows darker by the day. Lets hope Tesco’s architecture and vision are more enduring. Frankly, I’m not optimistic.
December 20th – 390 metres up on Nether Low, on a desolate bridleway ten miles from the nearest significant town, this beautiful spot is blighted by flytipping. Possibly the remnants of metal theft, a pile of discarded cable insulation. Scrap yards pay more for stripped copper, so the insulation is carelessly discarded. This is the visible side effect of the scrap trade, and we’re still no closer to solving the problem. My views on this, and the current pointless knee jerk reaction are well known. Meanwhile, while politicians and the public prevaricate, the damage continues. Senseless. The good people fighting this crime need more resources. Now.
December 20th – A better day indeed. This year, the Monsal Trail, between Bakewell and Cowlow in the Peak District, was upgraded and enhanced for cyclists with the tunnels reopened. Cyclists, walkers and horse riders can now undertake the full length of the eight mile trail. I’ve wanted to try this trail out since it reopened in May, but not had chance. Normally, I’d ride all the way there and back, but due to the dark and weather, I left early and took a train journey to Matlock. From there, I cycled the seven miles up the A6 to the trail start, traversed this fantastic route, then climbed Topley Pike to Chelmorton (a tough slog of about 150m), and headed south along the Penine Bridleway, the full length of the Tissington Trail then back through Ashbourne, Longford, Tutbury and Alrewas. It was a great day, which I shall post about on my main blog over the next few days. The weather was OK, but very overcast, so the photos don’t really do it justice, but a great sunrise at Tamworth high-level station and the snow-topped peaks of the Roaches and Sutton Common were a joy to behold. All in all, a great 95 miles. Roll on spring…
December 19th – Monday was a busy day of dashing about in frankly awful weather. It was a horrid day, and the Christmas spirit utterly eluded me. Finally getting on the bike at 8pm, I shot round the wet streets of Walsall Wood for inspiration. It was coming up the Lichfield Road towards the church that I noticed these views; they’re really, really festive, yet there’s little hint of Christmas in them. Despite the downbeat mood and wet weather, I felt much better after spotting these. Tomorrow was going to be better…
December 18th – A sharp, cold evening and rather dramatic sunset. Not having long, I headed out to Hammerwich to check out the views. Climbing up Meerash Hill, the ice was thick on the road, and the going on the ungritted country lanes of South Staffordshire was very treacherous. The tricky conditions were worth it, though, and rewarded me with some great pictures of the sun setting over Brownhills, and Hammerwich Church and it’s former windmill. A delightful place.
December 17th – For the first year in ages, Brownhills actually gained more pubs than it lost in 2011. The Hussey Arms – reopened by Greene King as a family pub – always seems rammed, and is getting good reports, although I’ve yet to visit. The Swan, also revitalised, renovated and reopened, is thankfully doing well, too. A traditional boozer, I had the pleasure of trying this fine pub a few weeks ago. Both are excellent additions to the social life of Brownhills, and I wish them well. Nice to see a full bike rack at The Hussey, too…
December 17th – A day infused with pre-Christmas rush. I finally got out on my bike at teatime, and took a spin around a very wet Brownhills. The roads glistened and it felt quite Christmassy. Morris Miner, when viewed from the Lichfield Road, always looks to me as if he’s expressing contempt towards the town. Still not absolutely sure they erected him the right way around… the blue lighting cheapens him, too. Shame they couldn’t have lit his lamp, like the residents requested.
December 16th – I’d been looking forward to a snowy, wintry commute. The weather forecasts had been for a cold morning with maybe a settling of snow, but it was not to be. Sadly for me, I was sold short and have never quite been so disappointed to find myself cycling on a bright, sunny and temperate morning. Here at Darlaston Green, the sun caught the wet town and made it beautiful. Yet another example of why I love Darlaston so much. Ah well, the snow can wait…
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