#365daysofbiking Kissed by the cold:
November 22nd – Pleased to note there’s still some fungi about at the moment. The earthstars seem to have given up for this year, but these ice-coated glistening ink caps were glistening with frost when I found them in Victoria Park, Darlaston this morning.
Such delicate, beautiful things, I suppose the frost must harm them but it does look lovely.
I doubt there will be much more fungi this year now. it’s been a much better season than expected, to be fair.
#365daysofbiking Rime and season:
November 22nd – First really cold morning of the year I think, with lurking black ice and hedgerows and verges adorned with a hoar frost. It was the kind of penetrating cold that hurts your throat and forehead, and even though I was wrapped up, on the morning trail, towpaths and cycleways the -2.5 degree temperatures were still a little raw for me.
Every year it takes time to re-adjust.
I was certainly glad of the ice tyres this morning.
#365daysofbiking Where my heart lies:
November 21st – After a cold, slow ride through the lanes and up Shire Oak Hill, a quick breather on Shire Oak Hill looking toward the town I was headed into.
Brownhills may not be pretty. It may not be posh. It has it’s problems.
But as I contemplate getting back on the bike and rolling into town, I remember the place I love, the community, the characters, the history and how much I love it.
Nearing home is a wonderful feeling – especially when you’re so tired.
#365daysofbiking Is it Friday yet?
November 21st – What a week, and it’s only Wednesday.
Another tiring day in Redditch, and it was cold again. Thanksfully there was little wind, but the battle home was real, and took longer than usual I was worn out.
Returning to a dark and ghostly silent Shenstone was as good for the soul as ever though.
Hope this busy period ends soon, I really do.
#365daysofbiking Death throes:
November 20th – In Redditch, just like everywhere else I guess, Autumn is in it’s death throes now. Winter is on my shoulder and it was cold, and on the way home, wet too. It’s not yet frosty, but there’s a characteristic bite in the air that finds every sensitive tooth when you first step out.
Rolling along the Arrow Valley through the park to visit a customer, the river and meadows were still gorgeous. But you can tell it’s ending now. Another week or so and winter will be here.
But also, it’s only a little over a month now until the shortest day. A month. Then darkness will be in retreat once more.
Onwards. I’m ready now.
#365daysofbiking The sound of music:
November 20th – This is the coolest bloke I’ve ever seen on a commuter train.
Bar none.
We were sharing the bike space on a Birmingham commuter service. He’s on an urban flat bar; partially consumed coffee in the cup holder. He clearly works in something musical as he’s playing a small, portable electronic keyboard of the musical variety, and listening on headphones whilst reading sheet music.
He was playing the keyboard in total silence to the outside world, pensively and in the considered way someone might type an email on a laptop.
I’m not sure if he was learning music, marking it or writing it, but I have to say, you are a seriously cool man. Fascinating.
#365daysofbiking Either end:
November 19th – Working late in Redditch, I found myself waiting for the train homewards in a brightly lit, but sparse station, surrounded by the light of the Kingfisher Shopping Centre and bus station. It really is a most odd place at night. It barely feels like a station at all.
At the other end, leaving Blake Street and slogging up the Chester Road in unexpected rain was very hard, grim work.
I was just glad to get home tonight.
#365daysofbiking The experiment continues:
November 15th – More camera experimentation, this time the other direction from Catshill Junction Bridge.
I’m interested in the way this camera picks up stars in the sky, and the colouration.
Tat’s not a bad result to me for a handheld phot in near pitch darkness.
#365daysofbiking No ifs, The Butts:
November 15th – Riding home again on a late one, I swung a shortcut through the area of North Walsall called The Butts. One of my favourite parts of town, I love the dense, busy terraced streets, frantic rooflines and the way it all looks so warm and homely at night. There are real architectural gems here, and also usually cats, wandering dogs, people taking the air.
Sadly I don’t come here as often as I perhaps should do, as the dense parking makes for many a close shave on a bike, but it’s so worth it fro the brisk, handsome urbanity.
#365daysofbiking Clarity:
November 14th – I’m finding the Canon G1X a bit of a conundrum: The smaller, more limited G7X was a lot easier to take low-light images with, but the pictures were not as good in my opinion. I had expected to flow from one camera to the other seamlessly, but that’s not been the case.
But I’m learning. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
On this warm, breezy but glass-clear evening, I couldn’t resist hopping up onto Catshill Junction Bridge for a shot of the moon over the canal, before heading back to Brownhills.
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 