October 22nd – A great dawn in fine weather with a much appreciated tail wind was a real joy to ride in, and a marked difference from the day before when I got soaked in persistent, heavy rain.
At Mill Grren, I stopped to watch the sun rise over Hill Hook and towards Tamworth. A massive, red-smeared sky opened out minute by minute, and was truly captivating.
Mornings like this make me much more comfortable with autumn, for sure.
October 16th – Spotted in Wednesbury, a whole line of snowberry bushes. These low, still flowering shrubs are peppered with the globular, white berries that look quite beautiful.
I know of no other fruit like it. I assume it’s an import for ornamental reasons. It’s certainly one of the markers of autumn.
October 2nd – I felt this was probably going to be the last good day of the Indian summer, and headed out for a long ride. I had a small errand to do in Leicester, so caught the train at dawn, and resolved to ride home on NCN 6 to Derby, then back from there along the Trent corridor.
I came through Spinney Hills early in the day. This row of remarkable terraces – all named after classical characters – is astounding.
Every time I come to Leicester I spot some new architectural gem. I love this place.
September 22nd – I note from the GPS that the sunset is advancing by a few minutes every day, which has started to place the golden hour squarely over my commute. Yesterday, needing some peace and quiet and separation from a tough day at work, I hit the canals on the way back, and Walsall, Birchills and Goscote rewarded me with tranquility and beautiful light.
For those that do nothing but criticise Walsall, open your eyes: this is on your doorstep.
September 17th – I can’t decide if this single, gorgeous violet blue plant is a harebell or bellflower. Whatever it is, it’s been delighting me every time I pass by it for over a week now, just on the canal by the Clayhanger Bridge.
Any opinions, folks? It really is a most beautiful bloom, and so unexpected at this time of year.
September 15th – It was an intemperate commute, the traffic was mad and the weather highly changeable, derring between azure blue skies and sudden, hectoring bursts of rain.
On the canal in central Walsall, there was little to indicate autumn here in green nowhere, with just blue skies, verdant foliage and mirror-like water. Only the saturated towpath spoke of the untrustworthy weather.
August 29th – I nipped down to Stonnall to see a pal and left just as dusk was closing in. As I came over Shire Oak Hill and back into Brownhills, the sky caught fire with a most gorgeous sunset.
Brownhills never looked better.
August 24th – A remarkable sunset struck when I was travelling around on errands, and I couldn’t get in a good place to photograph it, so I let the trees in on the glory.
Beautiful. Very little sun in the days, but the sundowns are gorgeous.
August 15th – A run into Birmingham in the afternoon on an errand saw me take a route down through Witton Lakes. In the small patch of grass that links Witton to Brookvale Park, a curious thing: a metre-wide, undulating band of wheat and wildflowers has been planted. It’s full of bugs and bees, and poppies and cornflowers proliferate.
It’s a nice thing – and the lakes were as lovely as ever, too.
My compliments to the people who planned and planted it.
July 25th – There was something of the night about the long-haired but diminutive cat on the far side of the canal near Clayhanger Bridge.
Those piercing eyes and quick wits; there was a hunt on and I’d disturbed it. But what an absolutely beautiful puss.
Someone loves that wee black cat and brushes it loads to keep it so beautiful.
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