Tuesday March 23rd 2021 – Up on the Hortonwood cycleway in Telford, the signs of a new growth year are everywhere coming thick and fast now, and one of my favourites is just emerging: The hornbeam leaves.
Gorgeously green, ridged in a beautiful way with delicate serrated edges, few new leaves are so beautiful.
It’s a lovely thing to find and a great way to kick off the season proper.
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/3cCIxdo
via IFTTT
Wedesday March 17th 2021 – On the cycleway near Stafford Park in Telford, the blackthorn is heavily in blossom, and it’s beautiful. The first of the major blossom shows, it’s only beaten here by the odd ornamental cherry that would have come into flower a month ago.
Blackthorn – the once sought after sloe, beloved of home brewers – is interesting as it flowers before coming fully into leaf (much of the greenery here is an interleaved hawthorn).
Lovely on a dull, chilly morning.
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2P1HAT5
via IFTTT
Friday March 12th 2021 – In my desperate search for signs of spring, a major achievement: The hawthorn leaves are coming out.
This may not seem like much, but it means a familiar, bright green sheen will soon be upon the hedgerows, and the gloom of the bare branches will be pushed back into the background. It means it’s time for blossom to start – Blackthorn initially – and for catkins and sticky buds.
But most of all it means, seemingly against the odds and in this hardest, bleakest of winters, nature has restarted as usual, and there will be a spring.
I carried on to work, a good deal more bouyant than when I set out.
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/31c66Di
via IFTTT
Monday February 15th 2021 – One of my most beloved spring flowers, one that was also one of my mum’s favourites too, is the humble aconite.
These small, yellow, woodland flowers are not terribly common, but there, if you look really hard. They don’t last long, a couple of weeks in flower, tops, with only a few days at their peak, but they’re well worth catching.
These, just past their best, were spotted growing under trees on the Hortonwood cycleway in Telford, in a spot one would normally pass without noticing.
I’ve passed by that spot many times – and all that while they’ve probably been trying to get my attention. Poor things…
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/3bPMXxh
via IFTTT
Tuesday, October 27th 2020 – Another cycleway, beautiful in the autumn night, but very treacherous as I found out, very nearly taking a spill on a corner.
This is the shortcut between the A51 near Beacon Park and Leomansley, a great way of cutting off the Friary island that pops you out further up the Walsall Road, giving a great route through the park when coming back from Lichfield.
The leaf mulch here was very wet and slippery, and despite taking care, my summer tyres still failed to grip as I skirted the anti-vehicle barrier.
Thankfully I held it and no harm done, but a timely reminder that there’s danger in the darkness.
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2GruYAs
via IFTTT
Tuesday, September 15th 2020 – First of all, thanks for all your positive words and encouragement over the last few days. I had no idea so many of you were reading this rambling pile of cobblers. Thanks so much, it has meant a lot.
I’ve started going to Telford again as the pandemic eases, but now, instead of going the longer way around by train, I tend to ride to Wolverhampton and hop on the train there, to minimise my use of public transport. It works better, if I’m honest and the ride to and from Wolverhampton is nicer than I would have expected.
Actually in Telford, the cycleway I love – up from the station to the Priorslee crossing – is showing a beautiful lack of hedge maintenance as my favourite green tunnel starts to turn for autumn.
Boughs brush my head. Squirrels and rabbits dart out of my path. Hips, haws and berries glow colourfully in the dark green.
Not all effects of the pandemic have been bad. I’ll be a bit sad when they get around to trimming this back… And the gentle feeling of autumn is not so grim this year. I’m quite enjoying it.
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/3kkcNec
via IFTTT
April 18th – I took a ride down the McLean Way – the cycleway that runs down the old South Staffordshire railway line through Brownhills, being converted by Brian Stringer and pals from Back the track.
From what was a rubbish filled cutting, I must say the volunteers have done very well. It’s a credit to them and their hard graft.
What I’m liking also is the work of the graffiti writers who ply their trade at night under the A5 bridge. There is some seriously impressive artwork down there.
It’s great to see such affection for the NHS too.
Clearly a very talented artist.
This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2XTOZpy
via IFTTT
March 23rd – A wet morning, and with the Prime Minister and clown in chief due to address the nation in the evening. Life was not feeling positive.
The morning was wet, and dripping. Rain stalked my journey to work and seeped into my clothing.
However, there were fresh leaves shooting everywhere, and early, very early cherry blossom, so it wasn’t all bad.
Some days getting to work and home in one piece and in good shape is enough.
This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2RwYarR
via IFTTT
March 9th – It was a nicer morning, and I was pleased to find some interesting blossom on the way.
This viburnum was growing beside the cycleway at Goscote and was absolutely beautiful. I love how when you look closely, the tiny flowers that make up the whole are each really perfect.
An uplifting thing for a Monday morning.
This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here2
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/3bMzPX4
via IFTTT
March 2nd – I had to be at an appointment in Brownhills in the morning and left for work in bright sunlight. Passing down cycle route 5 from Engine Lane to the old cement works bridge, I noticed the folk from Back the Track had done an excellent job of edging and cleaning the trail, making it much nicer to ride.
I’m told the council will now maintain this properly and the volunteers will not have to – as it should have been when first laid in 1998.
This is a fine job on a very under appreciated asset to our town.
This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2WgbUe0
via IFTTT
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 