Tag: autumn

October 31st – The Arrow Valley route in Redditch was looking excellent today – the leaves have really turned now, and the recent rains seemed to have cleansed things and sharpened them up. For what I would personally consider the first day of Winter – the first day of non-British Summer Time, when it was dark when I left home, and dark when I left work. The autumn colour certainly improved my dismal Monday mood – shame the newly burnt out car abandoned on the trail pulled it back down again. There’s some arseholes about.

October 27th – The rains came today, and I was glad; we need the water for replenishing the reservoirs, ponds and streams, and of course, Chasewater. After the otherworldly beauty of yesterday, the Arrow Valley in Redditch was wearing a very grey, rainy overcoat. It still had it’s unique beauty though, and it was good to see the Arrow flowing with some purpose again. 

October 26th – It was with some surprise that a noticed quite a dense mist over the countryside south of Birmingham as I zipped through on the train. I love misty mornings like this, and when they happen, I try to get near water where the mist is most beautiful. Fortunately, today I was passing through the Arrow Valley in Redditch anyway, and it didn’t disappoint. The park as a whole was gorgeous, wreathed in a thin, billowy mist, but the lake stole the show. I was so absorbed by it, I was very nearly late… but it was worth it.

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 – 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 18th – After pointing out yesterday that the cycleways and roads of the area would be hazardous due to wet leaf-litter, as if to confound me, today I noticed that Worcester Council – who look after Arrow Valley Park – had a street sweeper unit out to hoover up the debris. This is wonderful, and very effective. So unusual for a council to bother about cleaning places that aren’t on the public highway. A great thing indeed.

October 17th – I noticed today in Redditch that the leaf fall had started in anger. With the buffeting winds, there was a large amount of leaf-litter on the roads and cycle paths. This is fun and beautiful right now, but something to beware of when the rains come, as they are scheduled to this evening. The first significant rainfall and subsequent traffic will mulch nature’s debris into a slimy, soapy goop that can whip your wheels from under you. Fellow cyclists, beware of this treacherous, slippery and often unexpected hazard.

October 12th – Returning at the same time as the previously dark and dingy evenings this week, it was still fairly bright without the cloud that had overcast the previous two days. The low sun came out, and the sunset rendered many views golden. At Mill Green, it added a glowing sheen to the hedgerows and cottages, while it’s final recedence as I passed Lazy Hill made for a dramatic and beautiful sunset. This is more like it…

October 11th – I’ve been watching this tree change colour for  a couple of weeks. It stands in the pasture near Little Aston Forge, on the bank of the Black Brook, and has gradually turned the most dramatic shade of yellow. I think it’s some species of ash, but haven’t got close enough to look. On this dark, dismal evening with dusk falling, it was a cheery sight as I cycled home against the wind.

October 3rd – This is summer’s last gasp for 2011. The air was warm, the sun was out. There was an evil wind, though, and the dying leaves had been stripped from the trees. I was a hard battle getting home, with a big old bastard of a westerly, but here at Little Aston Forge, it was still beautiful. Soon, this lane will be barren and dun-coloured again. The light will change and the nights will close in. Until then, I resolve to enjoy every minute, as long as it lasts, headwind or not.