Tag: Croxall

#365daysofbiking Becalmed

Sunday December 27th 2020 – The storm passed overnight, with a lot of rain but thankfully the fierce winds didn’t last. I was itching to explore so headed out on the A5 and A51 to Hopwas, and on through Wigginton, Syerscote, Haunton, Harlaston, Edingale, Sittles, then through Fradley and Hanch, back home through Farewell, Boney Hay, Chase Terrace and Chasewater.

The real beauty was in the Croxall and Sittles area as the last of the sunset caught the trees and sodden landscape in almost total silhouette; but those Christmas Lights at Croxall Hall were truly stunning.

A great, exhilarating 50 mile ride that left me happier, and calmer. I really wasn’t expecting it to be so good!

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#365daysofbiking Floodlands

June 15th – On my return, I crisscrossed the Trent and Tame at sunset. The rivers were very swollen and had risen onto the floodplains at Walton and Croxall.

I was amused but not surprised to see the outdoor education centre at Whitemoor Lakes had it’s climbing and activity equipment in several feet of water – although the centre itself was safe up on the bund. I guess they’ll be doing more watersports than planned this week.

I never cease to be fascinated and impressed with the rivers in spate. Such quite, constant power, a forceful but elegant reminder that the weather and elements still rule us.

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April 5th – I wasn’t terribly well, so with a heavy heart and bad stomach I left in the afternoon for a ride to Lichfield. As often happens, I was on my cyclic antidepressant, and after 30 minutes of riding, felt better. The ride to Lichfield became a ride through Huddlesford, Wetleyhay, Roddige and Croxall. Back to Elford, Whittington and home, it worked out to a nice 45 miles, and I felt loads better for it. It was a gorgeous day.

Early oilseed rape is coming into boom at Elford, where I noticed the stone guy with the club I’d never registered before. The Tame looked peaceful at Whitemoor Haye, and pheasants pottered at field margins. 

The posh house at Thatchmoor had peacocks and other fancy fowl roaming the lawn; anyone know what the peculiar-looking black and white bird is, please?

A great ride that perked me up no end.

June 8th – From Lichfield, out to Croxall, Edingale, Harlaston and back via Hopwas. The countryside is a riot of colour and biordsong right now. The meadows are stunning with dandeliions and buttercups, oilseed rape in still flowering strongly, and all the fresh foliage glows in the sunshine.

I love the view of the wind turbine from Huddlesford: such a graceful machine.

March 25th – Out for a blast on a sunny, warm, spring today. Today is the day I realise I’ve survived, and this time, you did it with me. Today, the light came back and I become aware that I’d survived another dark winter. Commuting home in the light. Soon, after a brief reclamation, there will be bright mornings too. Together this year, we survived the darkness.

I felt great – forty miles in two and a half hours, I ripped through South Staffordshire, into Lichfield and out via Whitemoor Haye and Edingale. At the A513 river bridge between Alrewas and Croxall, known as Chetwynd’s or Salter’s Bridge, I stopped to look. Built in 1824, it was designed and overseen by renowned Lichfield architect Joseph Potter, who also designed Christchurch at Burntwood and Stafford County Lunatic Asylum. It’s a majestic, elegant yet sparse design, still in service and carrying heavy traffic. It is, however, and accident blackspot, and periodically vehicles end up through the balustrade and into the greasy grey green of the River Trent below…

April 8th – escape from work and a 45 mile pleasure ride taking in Footherly, Canwell, Hints, Hopwas, Elford, Harlaston, Edingale, Whitemoor Haye, Whittington and Lichfield. I was on fire today – think my cycling legs are returning after winter. I felt very fluid. Probably wont last… The sun was beautifully warm, but have a feeling that April may well be lulling us into a false sense of security.