July 24th – Lots of waterfowl are on second clutches of the season now; a tiny minority possibly on their third.
At Bentley Bridge on the Walsall Canal this delightful clutch of ducklings, maybe a few days old, proudly watched over by mum.
A beautiful sight.
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July 22nd – In the middle of the canal at Catshill Junction, in the midst of the algae mat, a mother proudly sits on a nest. A nest built upon driftwood flotsam trapped in the algae.
I’ve been watching her a few days. You can see trails in the surface from her partner coming to feed her, or take his shift sitting.
Safe from foxes and other land predators, this moorhen mum’s got a relatively secure nest.
It’ll be interesting to see how this develops!
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July 20th – Many of the ducks and smaller waterfowl are on second and in some cases I suspect – third clutches of the season. Up by Middleton Bridge I spotted momma and two ducklings.
The bond between the two chicks was very strong and they were characters and entertained me for some time.
One thing that occurs to me is I’ve never seen waterfowl – flightless until quite old – learning to fly I bet that’s something to witness.
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July 20th – A day of maintenance, work interruptions and grim weather. I spun out mid afternoon into the wind for a run over to Burntwood on an errand.
As summer advances, the greens of the hedgerows and woodlands are darker and more weary, and the fields are now turning gold for harvest.
How quickly this year is passing. But the summer is still beautiful.
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July 16th – Oh dear. Catshill Junction’s cosy spot by the narrows, previously occupied by the black and white sleepyhead was this evening occupied by a new tenant, a rather splendid tabby sporting a rather fetching collar.
A fair sized puss in good condition, someone loves that cat without doubt.
I wonder if they have a timeshare arrangement?
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July 14th – So pleased to see the cats out and about at last, as I noted last week. This ride was all about the cats.
As usual there are a whole variety in the feline watchers of life: From the lithe white puss resting in Kingsley Wood Road to the stately black and white overseer of the canal towpath. But the real star was Wilf, the ginger narrowboat cat who was helping his dad fishing.
I love to see cats out and about, it’s a real sign of summer and one I’ve really missed so far this year.
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July 14th – Working in the morning, I slipped out late afternoon for a fast ride over Cannock Chase and back through Rugeley via the canal and Longdon.
The sun, canal and golden hour were just the tonic after a hectic day, but my energy was low.
I don’t often visit the Chase in summer, as it’s usually crowded and bikes and dogs don’t really mix, but this evening – probably due to sporting excitement on TV – it was very quiet and away from the centres at Marquis Drive and Birches Valley I saw hardly anyone.
I note Rugeley Power Station is looking forlorn now: The desulphurisation plant has been removed and demolition continues with most of the ancillary plant no gone. It won’t be long now before the huge icon and photographic muse will be nothing but a memory.
It was a long, slower haul home but a lovely ride.
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July 12th – Coming off the canal near Rushall Junction and following cycle trail 54 to Walsall through Yew Tree, the cycleway between the farm and housing estate is marked in darkness by little solar powered cats eyes.
How fabulous is that?
A joy to ride.
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July 12th – Wanting to ride the city canals the day before but unable to, I broke out of work, collected a mate and went for a spin down the Plants Brook/Newhall Valley and into Brum, returning via the Tame Valley.
The canals were as wonderful and peaceful as ever, and the wildflowers – those that have escaped the fanatical dedication to mowing the Canal and River Trust seems to have – are looking fabulous.
As was the Gas Street black cat, disturbed from it’s slumbers by our happy chatter.
Summer is all about rides like this.
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July 11th – I had an appointment near Brieley Hill in the morning. The weather was grey and the Stourbridge trains were having a cowturn but I got to Cradley Heath and cycled up the canal through Saltwells.
Years ago, I spent a lot of time in Cradley and its environs. It’s still a busy little town, but it’s changed, suffering the same economic and social pressures as anywhere else.
This is of course, deepest Black Country and I was pleased to see the chain makers still behind Cradley station.
The goats at Saltwells were a pleasant surprise, too.
It’s been a while since I was back here, and it’s still a decent old place. I should come back when I have more time, I think.
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