Tag: canal

August 28th – This is an odd thing. This sluice is built into the canal bank, overlooking the Big House in Clayhanger, and was once (and presumably, still is) a drain point for the canal, with the mechanism blocked out of use. I reckoned it must be redundant, as if opened, it would appear to drain onto the garden beneath it. However, in the last few weeks, someone has been and inspected it, removed the plate covering the mechanics, and greased the gears. Perhaps it’s still functional, and doesn’t drain to the open but to some kind of culvert.

Anybody know for sure?

August 17th – A spin through a damp Brownhills wasn’t feeling terribly picturesque, but as I sped down the cycle route that follows the old railway line from the canal to Engine Lane, I noticed how green and lush the vegetation was, how perfect the track, the light.

Even dull days can be beautiful in their own way.

August 16th – Also at Hopwas on the canal, a beautiful flower garden at a canal side bungalow. The house is gorgeous, and if only I were rich… but the flowerbeds were a riot of colour; unusual for this point in the season when the brightest blooms start to fade. I just had to skid to a halt and take a picture. Sadly, it doesn’t do justice to the stunning display.

August 16th – I know I keep banging on about this, but I’ve never seen such a fine and large crop of bramble fruits as this year. Here, on the farm track beside the canal at Tamhorn, near Hopwas, the fruit was heavy on the bushes, and smelled divine. 

My Grandfather used to say that bountiful crops indicated a harsh winter to come. I’m not so sure of that, but the birds and squirrels will have a ball.

August 13th – Returning from Darlaston, I took to the canal. From pretty much Great Bridge to Gostote, the footpath alongside the Walsall and Wyrley and Esiington Canals is a good as any in Walsall. Well surfaced with a self-healing, stone-blown aggregate, the path is fast, smooth and fine on any tires. If only the towpaths through Pelsall or Aldridge were this good.

Which makes the plan to upgrade the ones here all the more bizarre. Can the council not do the worst ones, rather than fudge about with the best we’ve got? Has anyone who made this daft decision ever ridden a bike anywhere, let alone here?

August 4th – 3 former rail bridges in Brownhills, from 3 separate railway lines, all three suffering with age and the destructive tenacity of nature. The lone arch at the top corner of Clayhanger Common is slowly being pushed apart by shrubs and weeds, and is in what must be the final stages of natural reclamation. The Slough bridge, over the canal near Coppice Side, now serves as a pedestrian and cycleway over the Wyrley and Essington for National Cycle Route 54, but the familiar blue Freakley bricks are being pried apart here too by gentle, instant hydraulic pressure.

The third bridge is arguably the most interesting. One of only two listed buildings in the town, it is considered of rare enough design to be worth preserving, although it too is suffering the ravages of lack of care. As if to compound the misery, It has recently had a new nameplate installed, which reads ‘Pelsall Old Railway Bridge’.

This isn’t Pelsall, you muppets.

August 4th – By the canal in Brownhills, opposite the Watermead Eastate, there’s a little secret not many people seem to know about. It’s a hedge of hazel trees. I guess they were planted here 25 years ago when the refuse tip that had been on this site was reclaimed. Now mature, and tall, they are covered in dense, beautifully green leaves. I’d never remotely consider eating the nuts considering the previous use of the land below, but it’s moot anyway, as normally the squirrels strip these trees bare of fruit before it’s even ripe. 

Sadly, the squirrels will not be so fortunate this year, as in the whole length of the hedge, I spotted only two nuts. It must have been a bad season for these trees. 

August 3rd – I’d been poring over maps most of the day and was tired and bleary when I headed out early evening. I cycled along the canal, and it looked like I was just too late to catch the best of what looked a beautiful sunset. I guess that part of the season is approaching again.

It was still nice though, over Home Farm, where the clouds caught the reflected light from the west; Chasewater’s sunsets are now a bit more tricky due to the wake lines and towers.

Sadly, I blew a puncture on the way back, and without a spare, I walked home dejected and annoyed. Never leave home without your tool kit…

July 28th – I wasn’t feeling great, but ambled out mid afternoon, with no clear direction. I ended up at Fradley Junction, near Lichfield, and took tea and cake by the canal. The sun was lovely when it shone, but the wind – after the stillness of the last few weeks – was a shock, and my attempts to cycle to Hopwas on the canal were cut short by a dodgy stomach.

I did get to Whittington, however, and noted the new marina just north of Huddlesford. The boater cat nearby was gorgeous, and friendly too. A pleasant afternoon, but it was hard going.

July 27th – I headed out to Burntwood to the supermarket to get some shopping in. I deliberately waited until the rain started, and cycling in it was joyous; warm, soothing, but cool and refreshing, I rejoiced in the rain running down my face and legs. Everything smelt gorgeous, and I’d forgotten how loud rain can be.

It’s not often you’re glad of rain, but I was today.