Tag: chimney

#365daysofbiking Churnet up

June 29th – Since it was to be the hottest day of the year so far, I went for it again: Another ride out.

I rode up over Chorley to Armitage, and then up through Blithbury and Abbotts Bromley to Denstone, then up the Churnet Valley Trail to Alton, which always gives gorgeous views of the castle at Alton, evoking Bavaria or the Loire Valley.

From Alton to Oakamoor on the wonderful valley-floor lane called Red Road, then a quick break in the village and up Star Bank for a drink at the Old Star pub to cool down/ From there a loop round Windy Harbour and Caldon Lowe over the Weaver Hills, and back home through Ellastone, Marston Montgomey, Sudbury and Yoxall.

A fantastic ride on a perfect day.

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May 5th – In a world of fakery and things not as they appear to be, this really shouldn’t surprise me, but I was stunned.

On a building site near Rosliston, South Derbyshire fake chimneys, ready to go on the roofs of very expensive new build houses, complete with pre assembled pots and flashing.

I feel betrayed.

March 24th – In Birmingham for an important work visit, I took time in the afternoon to do some shopping, both in the centre and up on the Soho Road.

That bike was parked on New Street – what on earth could the time be carrying? It’s very sturdy and from the marks, is clearly often stood on end. 

I have no idea, but that must be the very devil to ride. Chapeau! For that one.

Over in Soho,looking up above the frenetic, chaotic shopfronts, more oddly elongated structures. I’ve never seen chimney pots like that before. Guess it’s to elevate the emitted fumes, but it looks very odd.

December 4th – Similarly, when I passed the canal junction at Walsall further on my way to work, I hopped off the ring road and on to the pavement to take this one from the Smiths Flourmill Bridge.

It’s early in the morning, the sun is low, and the two constants of Walsall – the waterway and that huge Victorian chimney stand as markers to the place I love.

A great morning ride.

March 25th – Cruising down the canal, a great sunset seemed to be building up, and near Bridgman Street in Walsall, I stopped to capture the view towards Birchills. I was interested to note the colour balance change between the tow images, and that soon after taking them I discovered what happens if you forget to charge the camera properly the night before hand: it goes flat.

Ah well, never mind. That’s a great view, and you’d never think it was right in the heart of Walsall. Roll on spring and let’s have some leaves on the trees, then it’ll be even better!

May 7th – I rode back from Darlaston under the threat of rain, but took to the canal for a change. Coming through central Walsall, I stopped to look back at the sky, and remembered the Majorfax chimney, one of the last Victorian skyline landmarks walsall has outside it’s churches. There’s something curious about it that’s barely visible until you look closely.

Someone, at some point, has erected a modern, tubular flue inside the chimney – It’s rain-cowl can just be seen poking over the top. Why would you do that? 25 metres of pipe, in a confined space designed as a flue in the first place. Why not just fit a roof vent next to the stack?

Is it a real flue, or a steeplejack’s joke? Whatever it is, it’s a curiosity.

August 22nd – Just around the corner from Lynn Hall stands this attractive cottage. I’m not sure it has a name, but it is a typical, four-square late victorian Staffordshire cottage, made with the characteristic blue and very, very red local brick. I pass this home an awful lot, yet until recently, have never really studied it. I noticed particularly the chimney, with its original, ornate pots and interesting design. I love chimneys, they add real character to buildings, and I mourn the passing of their ornamentation. 

August 21st – The Mount, a handsome, old, recently renovated house stands at the brow of the hill in Lichfield where the Burton Old Road, Church Street and Trent Valley Roads meet. It’s a wonderful looking place, and has been lovingly restored. I noticed yesterday that the original access hatches still exist in the rear chimney. These blue cast-iron doors allow access to the flue for the sweep – a once common feature, yet few survive, let alone adjacent like this. The Mount was previously used by an organisation – I think the Scouts or sea cadets – and was empty for a long while. Excellent to see the place loved again.