August 10th – A return on a gorgeously languid summer evening, along the canal and then the cycleway to Pelsall. On my return, I spotted the wheat crop at High Heath, surely ripe now, and on the verge of going over.
Soon be harvesting that, I guess. But in the meantime, what a gorgeous view. The is north Walsall, folks.
August 10th – I know I shouldn’t, but I love anthropomorphising animals. Herons in particular remind me of eccentric old men, stood loafing, slightly absent mindedly fixing you with a gimlet eye.
This one was in Pleck, right at the back of the factories, stood on an overhanging bough, looking for breakfast. I love the expressiveness of his eyes.
Later, at James Bridge, the aggressive beggars – honking at me for food, hissing and swimming away in disgust when I presented them with no tasty morsel.
I honestly think to local wildlife is becoming more outspoken and opinionated.
August 8th – From Seven Springs I headed down onto the canal at Weetmans Bridge near Little Haywood, as far as Breretonhill, then back through Upper Longdon and Stoneywell. The canal was glorious on a golden evening, and I drifted lazily past narrowboats, clumps of Himalayan balsam and waterside gardens that were enchanting. At Longdon, I see the refurbishment of the windmill continues well, after seemingly being stalked for ages.
As I came through Stoneywell the dying sun caught the have step fields and rendered them precious.
August 8th – I saw a single deer, who was too quick to be captured by camera, but in the languid warmth, the rabbits on the canal weren’t too bothered as long as I keep still and didn’t make any noise.
I really liked the wooden carved badger on a canal boat near Wolseley Bridge, though. I guess that classes as wildlife. Of a sort.
August 7th – Still, don’t let the recent preoccupation with berries, harvest and fruit fool you; there are still plenty of wildflowers out there, and more to come. As I rode to work today, I spotted this hairy chap busy in the thistles, just doing his thing.
I love bees. Such gentle, busy creatures. They get a bad press sometimes, but they mean no harm and just want to get on with things undisturbed…
August 1st – It’s a while since I’ve been able to photograph a heron locally. This chap, on the canal at Aldridge behind RMD showed beautifully for me as I took a quick afternoon trip out to get some shopping in. I got within 20 metres as the bird strolled along the bank, watching the water for fish. He’s clearly a youngster and didn’t have much fear; he only flew away when someone came in the other direction.
I love herons. So nice to see them continuing to thrive on the local waterways.
July 26th – The latest addition to the local architectural scene is a set of steps built by the Canal & River Trust down off the canal towpath at Clayhanger, to the foot of the embankment.
The steps are well made, have a sturdy handrail, are ballast filled and are well levelled, painted and a really, really nice job.
If only we saw such attention to detail when urgent repairs were required.
The steps have only been built to allow surveyors access to the toe of the embankment, because scrambling down a bank is clearly too much for them.
This is funny in one way, but also opens up an area to kids and the nosey that was previously well hidden and a haven for wildlife wanting peace and quiet.
You couldn’t make it up.
July 25th – I headed to the supermarket in Aldridge late, and a golden hour had set in early. Riding along the canal at the back of the old Duckhams factory, I noticed several patched of these beautiful crimson flowers in the reed-beds.
I’ve not seen them before, and can’t find them in my (admittedly poor) wildflower guide. I’m assuming they’re a garden pond escapee.
Any ideas, please?
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.
July 24th – I came home from work through Brownhills over Anchor Bridge, avoiding the towpath mud from the hours of steady rain. It wasn’t unpleasant out, and was as enjoyable as summer rain could ever be, but as I pulled over onto the footpath to take a call, I looked over the parapet and was reminded of something that’s been troubling me for years.
There appears to be a storm drain from the Lindon Road draining directly into the canal below, hence the brown mud plume in the water. that runoff will contain oil and diesel, rubber and all manner of road surface pollutant nasties. Draining it straight into the canal doesn’t seem right to me.
It’s been like this for as long as I can remember. Surely that can’t be compliant with modern standards, can it?
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