Tag: flowers

April 16th – At Chasewater, someone has designed and implemented a cunning Bob-trap, by planting the dam with my all time favourite flowers: Cowslips.

On this grey, showery afternoon without much to commend it, the sight of thousands of these bright yellow blooms forming a veritable carpet was a joy to the heart.

When I was a kid, you couldn’t find a cowslip for love nor money, and I feared they’d die out: now, thanks to seeding like this and the odd bit of guerrilla activity (cough) they greet me everywhere.

Do get over and see it if you can: my images really don’t do it justice.

My compliments and thanks to whoever did this. You made a man very happy today.

April 12th – A further delight of the rain on Clayhanger Common – cowslips and pear blossom bearing jewel-like raindrops. In spring, even the rain is beautiful, and sights like these, even when you’re soaked to the bone due to lack of waterproofs – gladden the heart.

March 28th – On a grey, misty and cold morning running through Wednesbury on an errand, what better pick-me-up than this embankment of daffodils?

I was cold, and not feeling the love at all, but these reversed my gloom. Daffodils are such lovely flowers and I adore the way they transform even mundane industrial estates like this.

March 27th – Over in Kings Hill Park in Darlaston, there is a gorgeous p[atch of spring flowers that have been planted near the old chapel. All sorts of varied plants seem to be included and it really is rather delicate and beautiful.

Kings Hill Park – like many of Walsall’s green spaces – is a true joy to the heart in springtime, and I commend people who love this season to get out there and enjoy sights like this while they last.

March 20th – One aspect of springtime in Walsall that’s always worth a mention are the fantastic displays of daffodils on public land – grass verges, open spaces and parks are full of cheery patches of which-growing gaffs, and are always a joy to behold.

Here at Shelfied, where the railway once ran, white blooms form a positive sea of colour. Planting them was clearly very hard work, and an inspired act of beauty and felicity.

Thanks to those who did so, and those who are careful not to mow the deadheads down afterwards, thus protecting the following spring’s showing.

March 16th – Also bursting forth now, a whole tranche of spring flowers in parks and gardens. I’ve no idea what these red and white globular ones are I spotted in Wednesbury, but that are absolutely gorgeous.

Despite not feeling well, the weather and nature have been doing their damnedest all week to cheer me up – which is welcome!

March 6th – I was passing through Wednesbury on my way home, and it was light – so I did something I’ve been meaning to do for years – visit the twin churches of St. Bartholomew’s and St Mary’s on top of Chuirch Hill, overlooking the Black Country.

I frequently admire this pair of spires from Kings Hill – one Church of England, on Catholic, both having watched over their flocks from this high vantage point for over a century each.

St Bart’s is lovely: large grounds with spring flowers and wide views surround the sandstone church, which has a great spire and beautiful clock. Weather-worn and stained with soot, this handsome church has withstood the ravages of the Black Country air very well indeed.

The grounds of St Mary’s were disappointingly locked, so I was unable to get a close look, but it’s an equally beautiful terracotta brick church with a lovely copper-roofed spire. It very much put me in mind of St. Chad’s, in Birmingham.

The ride up here really wasn’t too bad, and I’ll certainly be coming back to watch the seasons change. If you’re at a loose end near here, I can really recommend a visit.

February 28th – in the swamp at the end of Victoria Park in Darlaston, just past the old railway bridge on the way to Kings Hill, a surprise today in the rain: The blackthorn is flowering.

Always the earliest tree blossom, it’s a lovely sight and on this wet, miserable day I was so pleased to see it.

Interesting too to see the blackthorn bush with an alder growing intertwined around it.

February 26th – Another blustery, wet day and although I had plans, I shelved them and had to be content with a spin around Chasewater. That wasn’t so bad, as I was weary and hadn’t scoped the place out for a while. I checked out the recent dam works, which contrary to local conspiracy theory seemed to make sense, and also noted that the dam road is now closed, which is something that should have been done long ago – only the residents and rangers have business down there and hopefully the locked gate will prevent further outbreaks of fly tipping and ASB.

I had a snack at the cafe, then arced around the lake over a very wet and muddy north heath – I was looking for deer, but saw little wildlife except the burgeoning grebe population and a very depressed looking kestrel on his usual pylon perch. 

Looking for something – anything – to make the ride better, I remembered the cemetery and St Anne’s Church, just over the bypass, as surely the crocuses must be in bloom. I wasn’t disappointed.

I commend visiting this cemetery in the next week or so to any locals – my photos don’t do this veritable carpet of blooms justice and it’s thoroughly captivating. 

I left sometime later in a punishing, rain-soaked headwind, a much happier man.

February 25th – I love daffodils – harbingers of spring, I eagerly await their appearance to herald the light and sun every year.

By now, I know where the earliest local ones appear – the miniature ones (possibly actually narcissus) in Kings Hill Park are usually competing to be first with this patch on the Chester Road near Stonnall, at the Wood Lane junction.

I know they’re both unnaturally early. But a man can dream of spring, after all.

They are a delight to welcome back every year, and on this dull, wet and blustery ride up the Chester Road, they gladdened my heart.