June 21st – Crossing the canal on the Silver Street Bridge, a gang of always-hungry Canada geese could clearly smell my curry.
I told them that they wouldn’t like it, and anyway, they hadn’t finished their algae yet.
That was slightly unfair as there’s more this year for some strange reason than I’ve seen for years. Hopefully the coming hot weather will clear it off…
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June 21st – Returning in the half light interregnum between day and night, I passed through Brownhills to get a takeaway.
Passing the cut through between High Street and Short Street, I noticed the street art stencil artwork by Birmingham artist Itchers – and it occurred that in the six months or so that it had been here, I hadn’t featured it.
Painted on the side of Archers Florist, it’s much loved and the work of a clever, talented and witty artist.
Can’t think why I haven’t featured it before.
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June 20th – Again heading over Catshill Junction on the way to the High Street, I checked out something I’d spotted the day before: Some kind and community-minded soul has taken it upon themselves to clear the far side of the canal near the narrows on the way to Anchor bridge. I suspect the same for have also cleared the scrub away from the sculpture ‘Cycle of Life’ on the canal junction too, as the job is far tidier than the the one usually done by the Canal and River Trust, who seem to just leave the debris where it lands.
Whoever did this, thank you. It’s nice to see the brickwork at the narrows (formerly a toll point) as it’s a fascinating style.
I’ve always found it sad that when the new flats were built here to replace Bayley House, the various parties couldn’t get it together to sort out the scrub which must seriously shade the dwellings and impede their view.
Again, thank you.
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June 19th – Working long hours on a difficult project at the moment and I returned one in a pleasant summer dusk after rain had passed.
The towpaths were still a bit wet, so I headed up to Anchor Bridge and down the High Street. In doing so, I caught the setting sun over the canal.
When work is tough, that ride home is like a mental breath of fresh air and provides a buffer between work and home.
And a chance for peace. It was good to be near home.
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June 18th – Looks like another good season for pears at Clayhanger: This solitary tree is growing by the new pond, just need the orchids and it laden with nascent fruit.
The tend to be hard and inedible, and usually are enjoyed by birds who can tolerate the acid fruit.
In many seasons this tree suffers problems with blight and parasites but this year seems very healthy, which is nice to see.
If even half of these fruit make it it’s bee a very good harvest for the birds.
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June 17th – For some reason later than the canalside ones, the orchids in the grass on the bank from the canal to the new pond at Clayhanger are now coming out.
Thankfully unharmed by the Canal and River Trust mower, these lovely purple flowers are hard to spot at first amongst the tall grass, vetch and other wildflowers but they’re there – being beautiful and trying to get noticed.
If you go for a look, wear wellies or long trousers as the grass is full of cuckoo spit…
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June 11th – The rain continued throughout Tuesday and everything was sodden. Squelching my way home I hit the canal back to Brownhills, again avoiding the mad wet-weather traffic, and met these guys near the Pelsall Road.
It’s nice to see the Watermead swan family – such attentive parents they hatched just 3 this year, but these cheeky little bandits who immediately came over for treats are healthy and full of beans.
I didn’t realise it was possible for swans to look so wet, but they did. I wonder what they think of this endless rain?
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June 10th – Despite the rain, wind and general lack of summer warmth and sun, the world does look beautifully green at the moment – a benefit of the rain I guess.
I hope summer comes soon. I can cope with the rain and grey just fine, but I do miss the sun and the effect it has on the world.
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June 10th – The rain was almost totally constant as I came home from work and hit the muddy canal to avoid the traffic.
With little inspiration in the grey, horrible day, my eye was caught by a single splash of blue and purple in the scrub by the towpath by Clayhnager bridge – a gorgeous, bedraggled and solitary cornflower.
I keep saying this but it’s true – there is brightness to be found in even the most awful days.
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June 9th – A decent enough day following the heavy rain of the day before – I had stuff to do at home so just nipped out on errands.
Another beautiful sign of the season slipping by is the waterlilies are blooming on the canals – not my favourite white ones yet, but the yellow are coming on a treat.
We just need some warm weather now…
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