March 11th – On the way home on a sunny, spring evening, with a low sun shining long over Aston. The train stopped and was held for a few minutes, dwelling on a service coming in the other direction before the points could change – as often happens. The doors were open, and I was stood in golden light, frozen.
It’s a snapshot of Birmingham, and why I love it so.
January 6th – It was a beautiful morning, but with a heavy, harsh southwesterly wind. It took me longer than usual to cycle to the station, and I ducked through the backlanes to get there, the high hedges offering some shelter.
As far as the wind would allow, the air was soft and very slightly misty, and it made the countryside of South Staffordshire look beautiful in the watery sunlight.
I saw these trees in Forge Lane and recalled Joni Mitchell’s line ‘Trees are shivering in a naked row’.
Here’s to less aggressive weather for a while…
November 6th – I was cycling through Little Aston, as you do. I stopped to adjust my scarf… looked my my left and there it was, screwed to the wall of Little Latches Cottage. The English sense of humour is remarkable, warm and silly. I have nothing further to add…
July 13th – Any of you lot lost a mop? Well, I found it. Just on the corner of Edge Hill Road and Walsall Road, Little Aston. I have no idea either. Perhaps a particularly hygienic witch crashed here….
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.
June 9th – A free afternoon and a bimble along the canals into Birmingham, via Great Barr and Saltley, a stop for tea at the wonderful @urbancoffeeco before heading home on the the waterways through Smethwick, West Brom and Darlaston. I love cycling the urban canals here – a 45 mile run around the best – and worst – our conurbation has to offer. The sheer variety of texture, surface, architecture and wildlife has to be experienced to be believed. The day was changeable with sun, overcast periods and light showers, and thankfully, little wind. A fine ride.
April 15th – later in the same afternoon I found myself in the wake of a very fast lady cyclist, powering through the Aston canal towpaths. I was left thinking some distinctly ungentlemanly thoughts, but they weren’t quite what you might expect.
You need to watch this with the sound turned on.
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 