June 21st – Crossing the canal on the Silver Street Bridge, a gang of always-hungry Canada geese could clearly smell my curry.
I told them that they wouldn’t like it, and anyway, they hadn’t finished their algae yet.
That was slightly unfair as there’s more this year for some strange reason than I’ve seen for years. Hopefully the coming hot weather will clear it off…
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June 21st – Returning in the half light interregnum between day and night, I passed through Brownhills to get a takeaway.
Passing the cut through between High Street and Short Street, I noticed the street art stencil artwork by Birmingham artist Itchers – and it occurred that in the six months or so that it had been here, I hadn’t featured it.
Painted on the side of Archers Florist, it’s much loved and the work of a clever, talented and witty artist.
Can’t think why I haven’t featured it before.
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June 20th – Again heading over Catshill Junction on the way to the High Street, I checked out something I’d spotted the day before: Some kind and community-minded soul has taken it upon themselves to clear the far side of the canal near the narrows on the way to Anchor bridge. I suspect the same for have also cleared the scrub away from the sculpture ‘Cycle of Life’ on the canal junction too, as the job is far tidier than the the one usually done by the Canal and River Trust, who seem to just leave the debris where it lands.
Whoever did this, thank you. It’s nice to see the brickwork at the narrows (formerly a toll point) as it’s a fascinating style.
I’ve always found it sad that when the new flats were built here to replace Bayley House, the various parties couldn’t get it together to sort out the scrub which must seriously shade the dwellings and impede their view.
Again, thank you.
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June 19th – Working long hours on a difficult project at the moment and I returned one in a pleasant summer dusk after rain had passed.
The towpaths were still a bit wet, so I headed up to Anchor Bridge and down the High Street. In doing so, I caught the setting sun over the canal.
When work is tough, that ride home is like a mental breath of fresh air and provides a buffer between work and home.
And a chance for peace. It was good to be near home.
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June 18th – Looks like another good season for pears at Clayhanger: This solitary tree is growing by the new pond, just need the orchids and it laden with nascent fruit.
The tend to be hard and inedible, and usually are enjoyed by birds who can tolerate the acid fruit.
In many seasons this tree suffers problems with blight and parasites but this year seems very healthy, which is nice to see.
If even half of these fruit make it it’s bee a very good harvest for the birds.
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June 17th – ‘Great job meeting people wearing a suit’ they said. It’ll be fun they said.
Spotted in Walsall, just between Tesco, Macdonalds and Walsall College at Lunchtime.
No, I have no idea either…
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June 17th – For some reason later than the canalside ones, the orchids in the grass on the bank from the canal to the new pond at Clayhanger are now coming out.
Thankfully unharmed by the Canal and River Trust mower, these lovely purple flowers are hard to spot at first amongst the tall grass, vetch and other wildflowers but they’re there – being beautiful and trying to get noticed.
If you go for a look, wear wellies or long trousers as the grass is full of cuckoo spit…
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June 14th – A dry commute to work (but sadly, not back) was a novelty. It was grey, and I never felt quite safe from the threatening skies but the blessed absence of rain was nice.
Victoria Park in Darlaston looks lush and green as one would expect in such a wet season. The mystic bridge I stood on to take photos from, however, was slippery with algae and lethal, so take care!
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June 13th – It was drier in the morning, with ha hint, just a hint of sun when I headed to Telford. My jacket hood was down for the first time in a week. I could see where I was going.
Could this be the end of the rain for a while?
Lulled into a false sense of security, a flash shower caught me on the way back to the station.
Thankfully, by the time the train got to Wolverhampton the rain had been left behind.
Just one blessed day without rain, please? It’s not too much to ask, is it?
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June 11th – The rain continued throughout Tuesday and everything was sodden. Squelching my way home I hit the canal back to Brownhills, again avoiding the mad wet-weather traffic, and met these guys near the Pelsall Road.
It’s nice to see the Watermead swan family – such attentive parents they hatched just 3 this year, but these cheeky little bandits who immediately came over for treats are healthy and full of beans.
I didn’t realise it was possible for swans to look so wet, but they did. I wonder what they think of this endless rain?
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