October 26th – Shenstone Station, 6:15am. Dark. Cold. Empty. Beautiful. I love this little, semi-rural station. It has few facilities; the ticket office is rarely open, and the wind whistles through here in the winter. There is, however, a gorgeously old-railway feel to the station, traditional benches and canopy. I’ve been starting journeys here for the past thirty five years, and I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather do so.
October 25th – I got caught on the way home by the same shower twice. At least, it seemed like it. It rained on me in Redditch, and stopped just as I got to the train; as I alighted in Sutton, the heavens opened again. Oddly, despite the grim northern sky, it seemed lighter later than the previous evening. Everything was revelling in the soft drizzle as I returned via Lower Stonnall – I even I found myself enjoying the change in light, air and experience. As darkness fell, the countryside dripped, gently and quietly absorbing the currently rather rare dose of rain.
October 25th – Sunrise near Fighting Cocks, on Catersfield Lane in Stonnall. It was the dry, clear morning after the wet night before; the roads were wet, treacherous and greasy, yet to smell the fresh air, moist earth and autumn on the air was a joy to the heart. This is what riding a bike is all about…
A late bonus video clip from Thursday, 20th October – This man is an idiot.
Walsall, Leicester Street – Freer Street – Bridge Street junction, about 10 AM.
If you know this cyclist, please tell him from me that he’s an inconsiderate, dangerous cock and that I’m fed up with taking the flak for arseholes like him.
The rules of the road apply to us, too.
October 24th -At the other end of the day, the evening was chilly and clear. It was dark by 6:10, and as I crossed the Anchor Bridge into Brownhills, I couldn’t resist this shot of the canal near Lindon Road. I love the contrast between the vehicle lights, water and trees. This is a classic Brownhills view, and one all Brownhillians will know and love.
October 24th – The start of the leaf-fall timetable on the Cross City line means that for a few weeks in Autumn, I can catch a train from Shentone directly to Redditch. It doesn’t save time, as the service is a lot slower, but it does mean a break from cycling into Four Oaks. As I was piling it in down Lynn Lane this morning, I noticed the sky; the tail-end of the sunrise was as gorgeous as recent sunsets., and was setting off the skyline of Shenstone beautifully. Taking the picture made me late, and I only just caught my train. Worth it for an image like this, though.
October 23rd -This is a remarkably dry season, yet not many people – least of all the media – seem to be mentioning the fact, which is causing me some concern. Blithfield Reservoir, north of Rugeley, is only 50% full, and ponds, lakes and streams are drying to a trickle. As a cyclist is pains me, but we really do need a good spell of rain, otherwise we’re in for serious trouble.
October 23rd – Also on my haphazard itinerary today was Tixall. I adore Tixall, and not many folk seem to know it, existing as it does in the shadow of Shugboriugh Hall and it’s large estate. There were other noble families in these parts other than the earls of Lichfield, and the Aston family built Tixall Hall, gatehouse, church and stables. The hall has long been lost, but the gatehouse – now rented as a holiday let – is a splendid architectural wonder. It’s prominent towers are replicated further up the road to Great Haywood in a tiny lodge-house, the purpose of which I’ve always wondered. The stables have been converted into luxury homes, but the air of noble history parades the village and it’s odd little follies.
October 23rd – Up on the Chase again today – can’t get enough of it at the moment. A climb to Pye Green, a bite to eat at the excellent Springslade Lodge cafe, and then over Brocton Field and down into the Sherbrook Valley, and thence up to Milford. Autumn is here, but failing to quite grip the Chase as yet. Most trees still have leaves and the bracken is still just turning yellow. An odd year, indeed.
October 22nd – Someone asked recently where there were sweet chestnuts growing wild. I found these nuts – not massive, but a decent size – falling from trees alongside the A51 on Gorsy Bank, near Breretonhill, just between Rugeley and Upper Longdon. There’s a fair few around Milford and Tixall, too.
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