March 20th – At a cafe near Cannock Chase, an outdoor eating area monitored by small birds, just looking out for left scraps or dropped crumbs.
These are bold birds, familiar with humans, and just a bit more tolerant than their far more skittish rural counterparts, but they make terrific photographs.
I’d like to claim responsibility for the photos, but they were taken by my companion and were too good not to use. But we were on the same ride, so that’s what counts.
A joy to the heart.
March 13th – Up onto the Chase via Pye Green over Brockton Field and down into Sherbrooke Valley: over to Milford, then onto the Shugborough Estate and the canal, returning via Rugeley and Longdon.
A remarkable, beautiful, mist shrouded sunset – and Sherbrrok Valley was as wide open, deserted and cinematic as ever.
I really missed this.
March 6th – On roads across Cannock Chase, an experiment is underway. These wooden staves with white bags on top are a trial to see if they reduce vehicle-deer road collisions in the area.
It was discovered accidentally in the US that deer were apparently deterred by the sight of a white bag on a post, although nobody knows why, deer experts who’ve tried this have found it appears to work – it will be very interesting to see if the tactic works here, too.
My overriding feeling is the deer will probably get used to it, and they have to cross the roads somewhere, so I can’t see much long term benefit, but it’s a very interesting experiment and I salute the rangers for trying it out.
September 26th – I enjoyed the Chase so much the day before, I went back to try a different route, down the Sherbrook Valley, and through the Shugborough estate, returning home via Hixon, Newton and Rugeley.
It was warmer, but the light and colour were just as fine as 24 hours previously. The leaves and bracken seem to be turning very quickly now.
By the way: a discovery. The ice cream van at Milford does Blackjack flavour sundaes. That’s the old penny chew flavour. They are delicious.
September 25th – Spotted this sign on a marker post by Stepping Stones. Chase Hppper bus? There was once a bus service on these rough trails? Really?
Does anyone know what it was, and when it ran?
September 25th – A tough day relieved hugely by a great ride over the Chase, just shrugging on it’s autumn jacket. The deciduous trees starting to turn, the heaths, woods and trails were beautiful, seasonal and peaceful.
Some days, you just need this kind of peace to recharge your batteries. A fine ride.
August 23rd – Caught in heavy rains at Cannock Chase, I headed for the nearest shelter which happened to be the cafe, Springslade Lodge. Awful phone photos, but I was struck by the effort the staff had put into dressing the garden with plastic tablecloths, flower vases and such, for no customers to be able to use it.
Oddly beautiful and a little sad.
August 8th – Up on Cannock Chase late afternoon, my love affair with this place continues. The heather is splendid at the moment, as is the thick brush of verdant bracken. The forest tracks around Wolseley Plain and Foxhunter’s Valley were as superb as ever.
After a hectic period at work and some ill health, this is just the tonic I needed.
August 2nd – Up on the Chase for the first time in ages, and I realised how much I’d been missing it. From Hazelslade to Rainbow Hill, Slitting Mill to Birches valley, up Penkridge Bank, Rifle Range Corner, Abraham’s Valley, Seven Springs, Stepping Stones then Milford. From Milford to Brockton, down into Sherbrooke Valley via Brockton Field, and back via the former RAF Hednesford.
Once away from the crowds it was a treat, and the deer ar Brockton were an unexpected joy.
December 29th – The return was no less magical, but very challenging. I was mentally and physically exhausted when I got home. I’ve never seen black ice this bad, and by the time night fell, it was very challenging riding indeed on all but the main routes. It was good though, to see the sunset reflected in the snowy pink-white landscape, and my old muse Rugeley Power Station was clearly at full tilt.
The mist rolling off the Trent at Wolseley Bridge was enchanting, too, but I saw too many cars slid off the lanes around Longdon to feel comfortable on the roads, despite the ice tyres.
I was glad to get home, but glad to have seen this, to have experienced it and to feel that pain in my forehead and the icy grip on my chest.
It’s not often one feels so connected to the environment.
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