December 1st – Visiting Walsall Wood on an errand on my way home, I stopped to admire their excellent Christmas tree in the grounds of St. john’s Church, which is always a personal donation by the local councillors, which is jolly nice of them.
The church also looked lovely in the cold night.
The Wood is absolutely lovely at night… even more so at Christmas.
November 30th – In Telford mid morning again, and fascinated to note that on what had been a very cold night, there still wasn’t a great deal of surface frost due to the dry conditions, which pleased me as I haven’t yet got the studded winter tyres on.
Also, I think that’s probably the last vestige of Autumn now and we’re well into winter… oh well, soon be time for a break.
November 28th – In winter, as I’ve often observed, you have to take beauty where you can find it, and to find it one must maintain a keen eye.
Hurrying into Wednesbury today, I noticed this confused thistle, in perfect full bloom. It was immaculate, this king of the wasteland, and made my day.
I must have passed this a few times and not noticed, like so many must. I need to sharpen my eye, and keep my sense of wonder in these coming dark months. Doing so it what keeps me going.
November 26th – Another day of beautiful light, but cold. Probably not cold for the time of year, but after recent mild weeks it seems to be positively arctic.
I’d been doing a lot of mechanical work on the bike in recent days, and needed to test it with a shortish run with plenty of good hill action, so I went out early afternoon, over to Shenstone, Weeford, Hints, Hopwas, up the canal to Hademore and back in darkness through Wall and Chesterfield.
I took time to study the churches at Shenstone, Weeford and Hopwas – from the hideous but triumphant Gothic of Shenstone, to the farmhouse twee of Hopwas, all three are classics. All within a short distance.
Staffordshire is unusually blessed with a stunning and varied ecclesiastical architectural tradition.
November 21st – On the streets of Birmingham, the autumn leaves are making for a golden carpet, and as usual, however hard an army of street cleaners try, they fight a losing battle and all one can do is plough through the fallen remains of a summer past and enjoy the sounds, colour and sensation.
There is a downside, however: on urban pavers and country lanes, the leaves will mulch under foot and vehicle wheels, combine with rainwater, road oil and grease, and form a soapy, slippery wheel-stealing goop that will make riding a concentration suck for a few weeks to come.
Every season has it’s hazards.
November 19th – A late run out on an errand to Cannock Chase saw me crossing through Heath Hayes and the former RAF Hednesford during a very decent sunset.
Sadly, I hadn’t enough time to do it justice, but is was so very beautiful, and a real pick me up on a cold autumn evening.
November 18th – A day of spannering bikes and a hurried test ride out late afternoon. The light was terrible and things looking grim, then a spot of brightness on Clayhanger Common – ox-eye daisies still in full, fresh bloom.
A great discovery on a down in the dumps Saturday.
November 12th – A stunning day on Cannock Chase, probably the best I’ve had in years, just going to show that you never know what tomorrow will bring. I felt well, happy and energetic.
Following my annual attendance of the Remembrance Sunday service in South Staffordshire, feeling the sombre nature of the day, I did what I always do when feeling sad: Headed for air and open space. Entering the Chase at Castle Ring, then over to Stonepit Green, Wandon, Rainbow Hill, Slitting Mill, Birches Valley, Penkridge Bank, Marquis Drive, Brocton Field, Freda’s Grave, Sherbrook Valley, Pepper Slade, Wolseley Plain, Abraham’s Valley on the finest, brightest autumn day I’ve had for years.
I saw a fallow deer rut. I saw beauty, felt the cold air in my lungs, climbed hills and cruised trails, took in views. I felt alive again.
All topped out with a spectacular sunset.
This is why I ride a bike.
November 9th – In my opinion few war memorials, if any, can match that in Darlaston for sheer beauty and reverence. I’ve never seen such a loving, respectful and intimate civic sculpture and garden as this.
It needs the paths resurfacing, but it’s a peaceful spot that’s well tended and tidy, even in the midst of the autumn leaf deluge, and will see on Sunday people come from far and wide to remember the fallen and pay their respects.
I love the poppy bench and the garden for the blind with the braille and active plant labels.
We shall remember them.
November 6th – The shrooms are multiplying!
A few weeks ago I spotted a single toadstool, chainsaw-carved from a log near the old Charles Richard Imperial works in Darlaston Green, where that interesting ex-military truck is always parked. There is a trestle there, and logs, so it seems the trucker is cutting winter fuel there (although there’s no sawdust, oddly).
I presume the artist is carving the toadstools at the same time – and they are beautifully executed. Now multiplying, I wonder if there will be a clump form?
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