December 20th – Back at work, I noted that the holly trees around the industrial estate where I work, normally heavy by now with a bountiful berry crop – were very sparse this year.
Still, there were enough red berries to feel festive. Bad news for the local birds though.
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#365daysofbiking Into the mystic:
December 12th – Out and about on errands during the (very bitter) day, although it was bitingly cold, there was occasional weak sun, and like yesterday, there was a part mist, part smog hanging over the Black Country making things magical again.
At Victoria Park in Darlaston, the mystic bridge was looking gorgeous and it felt good to be out.
Perhaps the cold means there might be snow before Christmas? I do hope so…
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#365daysofbiking Fruitless endeavours:
December 3rd – Spotted in the rain from the canal at Bentley Bridge: Ripe, delicious-looking eating apples rotting off the branches of the tree that fruited them, which is on a piece of edge land between two factory yards on the far side of the canal, both sites derelict.
The tree and the ground out stands on appears unreachable to all except maybe those in a canoe or boat.
Which is a shame, as I bet the crop is lovely.
#365daysofbiking Holding on:
November 23nd – It’s been a tough week, I don’t mind admitting. Work has been hard and everything else has been manic. The weather hasn’t been too wonderful either.
But, it’s Friday, and even though the day was grey and overcast, the daisies on the verge outside work were doing their best to be cheerful.
#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 When you spot it:
November 13th – One thing I love about working in Darlaston is the architecture of this hidden gem of a town. And the thing I love about the architecture the most?
The constant spotting of things you’ve not noticed before.
Whilst photographing the lovely paper poppy display at the Town Hall, I turned round to look at the handsome, four-square post Office. But my eye fell to an anonymous doorway at the side, and a sign advertising … Darlaston Air Training Corps.
Never have I noticed that before.
On this day, how very appropriate that I should.
#365daysofbiking Not forgotten:
November 13th – Back in Darlaston I paid a visit, as I always do, to the beautiful and moving town War Memorial just near Victoria Park and the Town Hall.
This sombre, noble and beautiful monument is one of my absolute favourites: It is respectful, dignified and in just the right place, surrounded by a lovely, well-tended garden.
Laid out at the food of the plinth and in the surrounding beds were the wreaths, crosses and other keepsakes of Remembrance, and a good deal of time was spent reading their dedications and reflecting on my way to work on this sunny, beautiful, better day.
We will never forget.
#365daysofbiking Bitter gourds:
November 7th – One of the odder recurring themes of this blog over the years has been the errant, discarded pumpkin. Whether is’s apparently forgotten in inner city Acocks Green, cruelly cast aside on a country lane or just randomly left on a canal bank, I see more of these forlorn gourds abandoned than any other.
These otherwise untouched, whole specimens – that would have made a decent meal for several people (and it looks like a fox already had tried and got bored with one) were inexplicably lying around in Victoria Park, Darlaston.
#365daysofbiking Colonial life:
November 2nd – the fungi colonies are still doing well. The earthstars of the Darlaston Trading Estate are still showing beautifully like some petrified, child’s drawing flower, and these little buttons on a stump were fascinating. I’m not sure what they are, and welcome suggestions: Maybe slimy beech caps or roundheads?
Never tire of studying fungus.
#365daysofbiking The world spins, me a apart of it:
November 1st – My worry was misplaced. I had good news from the hospital, and rode gently back, taking in the air which with my inbuilt mood filter switched off, was now sunny and cheering.
What better time to enjoy the parks of Darlaston, Victoria and Kings Hill? What better time to sit and appreciate the leaves, the dog walkers, the birds and my beloved Black Country?
It made a change to have lightness in my heart. That’s been a rare thing of late.
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 