July 25th – On an unexpectedly sunny afternoon, travelling between Tipton and Darlaston at 3pm, this gem looked splendid indeed.
On the island at the bottom of Owen Street – Tipton’s High Street – just by Coronation Gardens, Sandwell Council planted the centre with wildflower seeds. This is the result.
It’s gorgeous, captivating and a joy to the heart. Thank you to whoever did this, it’s a real act of beauty.
The Black Country: It ay all chimmocks and grime these days…
July 22nd – The rain was insistent, but warm and pleasant, too. I took the long way home from the supermarket via Stonnall and enjoyed the cool, damp petrichor scented air, and it’s gilding effect on the flowers and foliage.
At Lower Stonnall, the willowherb, glistening with fresh crystal raindrops, was fascinating and beautiful.
July 21st – I was stuck behind a very slow-moving car in The Butts, Walsall, when I happened to look to my left, and I noticed I was being monitored from atop a tall garden wall.
This young, stripy cat – what beautiful markings it has – meowed at me and clearly wasn’t to be a new friend. I was intrigues by his sharp features and think there must be some rex or siamese in him somewhere.
After telling me off extensively, one last glare then he jumped down into the garden that lay over the wall. I could still hear him yowling as I rode away.
A charming, if unwelcoming fellow.
June 19th – Last week I noted in passing that we were between flowering phases in Kings Hill Park. No sooner did I say that, then blog came the grounds maintenance crew and replanted all the beds and planters.
And as usual, they look thoroughly gorgeous.
My compliments to the people who work so hard here. You’re all stars.
July 17th – Later the same day, in Darlaston. A summer place.
This, my friends, is the heart of the Black Country: thought by people who don’t know it to be ugly, defiled, polluted and unlovely.
It’s actually mostly the absolute opposite and that’s why it has such a large part of my heart and soul.
This is my place.
July 17th – Time for my annual botanically subversive mission: spreading the cowslip love.
After the usual delightful display in the spring, my favourite flowers have finally started to seed. I carefully collect the seed heads in a bag, shaking the seeds into it.
When I have plenty, I carefully spread the seeds on hedgerows, verges and anywhere that would benefit from springtime cowslips.
Guerilla seeding. Do something pretty while you can.
July 16th – The dying light intensified it’s drama as I headed back wearily to Brownhills. The Parade is always a treat but with so many mature deciduous trees there now, a low sun is a real treat.
It’s not hard to see the beauty in this place. You just need to be receptive to it and find the right light.
July 16th – Slowly bumbling over to Chasewater to catch the sunset, I wasn’t disappointed. I was pleased to see the wakeboarders out on such a temperate evening, and they made for good photos.
I’m pleased this particular facility is doing well and seems popular – and it’s a favourite of local photography enthusiasts who love to catch the thrills and spills of the novice and experienced boarder alike.
Chasewater really looks better than it does in a golden hour. For the time I loafed here, enjoying the moment and forgetting I had a headache, I’d have not been anywhere else in the world.
July 15th – Out on a late afternoon ride on a warm but grey afternoon, I spotted a previously unnoticed Bradley between Barton Gate and Dunstall village, which looked like a reasonable ride. I wasn’t wrong; at the Dunstall end it provides commanding vies of the splendid church and rolling countryside around it.
That was a real find. Staffordshire always gives you something new.
July 12th – Passing through Kings Hill Park on a much better day I stopped to take the place in for five minutes. This small, well maintained patch of calm in an otherwise harsh urban environment cannot be underestimated.
There are many species of trees and they all look wonderful at the moment. The flowers, usually profuse are between phases at the moment, yet that doesn’t seem to matter.
I love this place.
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