Tag: cold

February 10th – The predicted snow didn’t arrive in Brownhills – all we had was an icing-sugar dusting. I had to go to Redditch, and set out early on a filthy, drizzly morning to hop on the Cross City line. Arriving at the station just in time to watch the tail-lights of my train slide into the distance, I felt thoroughly fed up. 
An hour later, zipping through the snow covered landscape of south Birmingham, I cheered up. The snow had been more pronounced here, and when I got to Redditch, the town looked lovely. Church Green was gorgeous, and the cottages near Ipsley in the Arrow Valley were equally beautiful, which restored my good mood. It’s not often you can say that about Redditch. 

On the way back, I spotted two snowmen at Little Aston forge. I suspect they were from last weekend – they look like they were good efforts. Sorry I didn’t catch them in their prime… my apologies to the motorist behind whom I held up while taking the picture.

February 5th – I popped to Chasewater, but the day was horrible. The snow was melting heavily, I was loaded with about 20 kilos of shopping and the day was grey and foul. Crossing back over the M6 Toll bridge on Pool Road, I noticed that Chasewater still looked quite snowy. I could also see that, beyond the innovation centre, the reservoir was beginning to refill at long last.

February 3rd – It was a nice day today. First time I had to travel far for work this year – a meeting in Telford in the morning, and then I had to zip back to Tyseley to see someone mid-afternoon. It was very cold, with a heavy frost. As I dashed to the station at Shenstone, I was running late and couldn’t stop to photograph the gorgeous dawn. I’d already stopped to free up a frozen gear cable… Back from Telford at 1:30pm, I changed trains at Smethwick Galton Bridge. The view of the Birmingham Mainline from here is delightful, and it’s a long way up. I found myself fighting the urge to leave the station and cycle the canals of Brum instead.

January 28th – Lichfield was as beautiful as ever, although the level of empty shops – and the decline in numbers of patrons – was very noticeable. The sunset was gorgeous, and to my delight, it wasn’t truly dark until after 5:00pm. It’s a bit previous, I know, but it really feels like darkness is coming to an end for another year. We certainly seem to have it on the run…

January 28th – It was a beautiful afternoon with a fantastic golden hour. Pottering around Brownhills, then into Lichfield, it was the longest leisure ride I’d had since visiting the Chase three weeks ago. It seemed very cold, but I guess this is just normal January, I’ve been softened by the unseasonably warm spell. Recovering well, I felt great, and I felt like I had some power in my legs. Cruising down Pipe Hill into Lichfield, I noticed that the only significant cloud in the sky was the plume of steam coming from Rugeley power station. Wonder if many folk noticed it and realised what it was?

January 16th – I didn’t really feel well enough for work, but went anyway. I had suspected the cold, frosty, bright day would raise my spirits, and so it did. This is the kind of winter day I love: cold, slightly misty and sun-bathed. It took me a good 15 minutes longer to get to work today, but I didn’t mind. Wrapped up warm, it was lovely to be out. If only I had a bit more energy…