beautiful – Page 31 – BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking

June 11th – For the first time in absolutely ages, I found myself in Redditch on a business call, and for old times sake I rode through the gorgeous Arrow Valley Park that bisects the town, with the still quaint little hamlet of Ipsley in the centre of it.

I used to come here week in, week out but the customer changed hands and moved out fo that line of business, so I really find myself here now. But it’s still lovely.

But that climb back up from the south of town to the station is still an absolute killer…

June 7th – Sad to note that the honeysuckle growing on the western rail of the Black Cock Bridge has again this year been hedge cut in it’s prime. I don’t know why anyone would do that, and it makes me sad – but it’s recovered well, and the woodbine still tumbles in a beautiful tangle into the meadow below the embankment.

A delight for bugs and bees. Clearly, someone doesn’t like it as much as I do.

June 6th – One of the lovely, accidental features of Clayhanger Common is the well-worn pathway through the green thicket arch behind the Cala overflow at Clayhanger Bridge.

Every year it forms again – it’s like a portal to a green netherworld.

It always makes me smile when I see it.

June 6th – There’s a splendid display of orchids this year in the meadows, wetland margins and by the canal – but sadly many have been destroyed – or stunted – by the agressive local towpath mowing schedule by the Canal and River Trust.

Can they not tolerate a bit of uncut grass for a few weeks while these bee-attracting beauties thrive? Perhaps they could use the manpower to fix some of the leaks and failing infrastructure instead…

June 5th – The King of Kings Hill is asleep in the sun again, as he usually is.

He watches over his kingdom, never fully asleep, opening one eye if needed.

Meanwhile, less than 10 metres away roadworkers wield a pneumatic drill, an activity that would drive lesser pusses to somewhere quieter.

Not Sam, he’s the King. The King of Kings Hill. And he will not be disturbed.

May 31st – A very poor photo with lousy focus, but another first for the season: My beloved beauties the orchids are coming into bloom.

They don’t last long, so keep an eye out on canal embankments, meadows and wetlands. We have a number of varieties, and these mall flowers are always tiny perfection.

The slug seemed to be enjoying them too – this example was on the bank of the new pond at Clayhanger.

May 29th – The season is moving along so quickly now. All along the canals of Walsall the waterlilies are bursting into bloom. These large-leaved water plants spread from floating rhizomes in the spring, and have the most gorgeous yellow flowers that bugs seem to love.

There is a later strain that have white or pink, more ornate blooms. that won’t be far behind.

We never had this kind of beauty on the canals when I was a child. I still find it amazing.

May 24th – It was a great sunset, best for ages I think, but sadly, I was working late and barely caught it, except in the final throes as I rode home in the gathering dusk.

I’m getting too damn old for this working late malarkey.

May 21st – Passing through James Bridge, the feral rose by the canalside is blooming beautifully again. We’re accelerating into summer at a rate of knots now, nature has caught up in the good weather so quickly. Every single day there’s a new plant in bloom, a new discovery.

Such a wonderful time.

May 18th – I adore this time of year. Every day a new discovery to delight and cheer me.

Today, I noticed the first birds foot trefoil of the year – as kids we called this egg and bacon due to the colour.

A gorgeous yellow flower that loves verges, meadows, lawns, edgelands and anywhere there‘s grass, it’s a delightful, cheery flower that really lets me know summer has started, and will be here, quietly spreading the yellow love all summer long.

Welcome back old pal.