Tag: Chasewater

Christmas day – the traditional Christmas ride this morning involved the exploration of the commons and heaths around Brownhills. I took advantage of the quiet to have good look around and see if I could spot any of the area’s elusive read deer. Sadly, I was out of luck on that score, but I did find the boardwalk on the north shore – a fine riding challenge itself. For those wondering what happened to the old rowing boat that was revealed when the lake was drained, it’s currently on display outside the Ranger’s office on the south shore. It would be nice if it could be restored, as it must have some history. I wondered what had become of it.

December 23rd – Here’s a warning: beware of muggers at Chasewater. These five geese – who seem like domestic escapees to me – have been living on the boating lake near the Innovation Centre since mid-summer. Ratty, noisy and aggressive, they make the Canada Geese around them look somewhat timid. Today, as I cycled past on my return, their bellies were clearly empty due to a lack of visitors. They hustled toward me, flapping and honking, and realising I had no food, set about pecking my feed and bike. Geese are mad and stupid – I always thought that if you could somehow cross one with a chicken the result would be truly psychotic.

December 23rd – Quite simply horrible. One of the nastiest days of bad weather for a good while, and on a day when I had stuff to do. Taking a shortcut over Chasewater, the driving rain, wind and air of desertion made for a very black mood, which worsened somewhat later in the day when I dropped, and fatally wounded my trusty Panasonic camera. A duff day all round, but at least on the positive side, Jeffrey’s Swag and Chasewater seem to be filling a little. Heres to better times, and a more careful grip on the camera.

November 27th – today, I have a cold and didn’t feel too much like exerting myself. I finally forced myself out as the daylight was dying, and after a surprisingly energetic thrash over the common, I headed north over Chasewater. The moon – not quite new, I think, but quite slender – and clear air made for a decent sunset. It’s been a long time since I went round Chasewater in the dark, and I forgot how exhilarating and beautiful it could be.

November 17th – An early finish from work, and a spin over from Chasewater to Cannock Chase. As the sun set over Norton, I surveyed the scene from the Cannock Road near Cuckoo Bank. As you may have gathered now, I’m fascinated by the signs of technology that dot the countryside – transmission masts and pylons in particular. A symbol of the modern age, to me they’re awe-inspiring, mysterious and, in their own way, beautifully elegant. Some folk regard them as ugly and a blot on the landscape, but I feel they’re a symbol of our progress. 

October 30th – I found myself crossing Chasewater for the third time in as many days. Today, I came along the canal as far as Wharf Lane; hopping off and across the footpath that traverses the north side of the old trotting track. This is a heavily used route by local cyclists since the closure of the canal basin access to Chasewater. The stile at the Chasewater end of the path is a pain to negotiate, and achieves nothing in terms of security (the site is open to vehicles at numerous, more southerly points). I noted with some amusement today as I hefted my steed over the bottom rail, the imprint of oily chainrings on it and the wear they’ve caused. Surprised it’s still in one piece.

October 29th – Highfield House Farm is still decaying silently. Robbed of anything of value (including it’s roof tiles), the derelict farm is a haunt of bored teenagers, explorers and the curious. When I was a kid this was a functioning farm, with a dog that used to bark and snarl violently as you walked past the yard, now it’s quiet, a ghost of a past that seems very distant now. Planning applications to replace this grim welcome to Chasewater come and go, yet this haunting building seems determined to cling on until it collapses into it’s own cellar. A sad landmark.

October 29th – Today found me at Chasewater again, and once more I was here at the dying of the day. Coming over the motorway bridge at twilight, against what was a rather evil wind, it threatened rain; rain which was clearly already falling elsewhere. This peculiar little rainbow was visible for 20 minutes or so due east. A lovely splash of colour on a rather dull day.

October 28th – Out early evening, a quick spin around the local area. I found myself at a darkened Chasewater, and taking a quick look round for a decent photo, could find nothing better than the Innovation Centre. No one was around at 6:30pm, just a few workmen in the dam compound and the sounds of activity from the brewery… I sat on a bench, listening to the geese chattering softly tin the dark. And then I heard an owl call.

This is Brownhills. I heard an owl hoot in the darkness. I still find that incredible – unthinkable when I was a kid.

October 8th – It seems to be a good year for fly agaric, the classic fairytale toadstool. They grow near birches and I’m usually lucky to see a handful or so – this year they’re all over the place. These excellent specimens were spotted on the heathland near the spillway at Chasewater, between the canal and the dam road. Considered toxic, and used as a hallucinogen in some cultures, these bright fungi have an otherworldly aurra, even odder when you consider that the white spots drop off as they age. Nature: always doing stuff just to get attention.