October 26th – Shenstone Station, 6:15am. Dark. Cold. Empty. Beautiful. I love this little, semi-rural station. It has few facilities; the ticket office is rarely open, and the wind whistles through here in the winter. There is, however, a gorgeously old-railway feel to the station, traditional benches and canopy. I’ve been starting journeys here for the past thirty five years, and I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather do so.
October 19th – Redditch can be a little odd sometimes. This lady is pushing a dog, in a pushchair. The dog is beautifully tucked in. I have no idea, and nothing to add. Worth watching in HD for best effect.
October 11th – An early morning trip into Lichfield for a meeting resulted in getting the train from Lichfield City to Redditch. Whilst waiting for my train, I studied the bikes locked up on the platform – there are usually loads here. Amongst the stovepipe chainstore mountain bikes and a rather lovely battered old road bike, a huge – and I mean massive – Pashley stood tall. I can only assume that the Jolly Green Giant commutes from Lichfield. Note the odd angle of the saddle – that really would lift and separate. The double crossbar, flying bedstead design must make for a very heavy steed. Impressive, if not absolutely sensible.
September 20th – Had I known what I would face on the commute home, I probably wouldn’t have spent so much time fretting about the river. Halfway into my journey to Redditch railway station, it started to rain. By the time I got to the train, it was raining really quite hard. Luckily, I’d come prepared and had my waterproofs on, but the mostly uphill journey (I was running a tad late) and some mechanicals with the bike made this journey a tad trying.
September 1st – Autumn continued to tap me on the shoulder as I left at sunrise for work. The cold night air had caused the finest, lowest of mists that hung in hollows, against hedges and huddled round houses. This was truly magical, and I seemed to enjoy it almost alone. I saw few others – if only the people of England could see it. I was very nearly late for my train as I spent too long taking pictures. By the time I reached Four Oaks, the mist had burnt off and this rare beauty passed unknown to the yawning commuters who joined my train, bleary and yawning.
June 1st – As the week matured, the weather, and the early mornings got better and better. The wind died and the sun came out. It was still grey today, but the meadow before Little Aston church was green and smelt sweet with pollen. Stopping by at 6:15am, with little traffic, I could hear beebuzz and birdsong. I didn’t want to go to work…
May 5th – first wild garlic nasal attack of the season. I love the scent of this woodland plant. Preferring wet, shady areas, this white-flowered relative of the more familiar cultivated variety grows in profusion on the banks of the River Arrow in Redditch. Stopping to investigate this delicious aroma, I came upon a veritable carpet of white blooms. A delightful assault on the senses.
April 13th – Morning downhill commute. Long uphill run from Little Aston, the hill crests at the lights at the junction of Streetly Lane and Four Oaks Road. An exhilirating blast at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour ensues. Just right for blowing away the morning blues.
April 7th – Little Aston Church looks like a rural idyll, one wouldn’t imagine it to be on the edge of the city, but it is. It has managed to maintain it’s sandstone beauty and air of isolation. A lovely scene to pass on journeys to and from work…
April 6th – Spring really got into gear today. Cycling home in shirtsleeves through green country lanes. Here in Lower Stonnall, the hawthorn is well in leaf and the golden hour renders every twist in this quiet lane a beautiful vista.
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 