June 2nd – A summer sentry watched my progress through their neighbourhood today. Sat watching the world go by in Walsall, this lovely, shiny coated black cat watched me carefully, making sure both I and the bike were in order. Satisfied I was just passing through, it posed for a photo while watching more interesting things back up the street.
May 30th – I encountered the Watermead swan family right by the Watermead estate itself – and the cygnets, still at a remarkable 9, are growing well.
Mum and dad are clearly teaching their offspring well, as this young bird is already proficient in hand signals.
May 29th – In the meadow behind Alder Mill, just north of Atherstone, this pair of huge black cocks.
I have no idea, but just like imagining the faces of hopeful Googlers finding this post at some point in the future and being somewhat disappointed.
Interestingly, these cocks are only a a few hundred yards from a place called King Dick’s Hole.
Think I’m joking? Check a map.
May 28th – A recovery day. I didn’t do much, but had to be at a function in Burntwood in the afternoon, so I pottered there in the sunshine of a breezy afternoon along the canal and via Chasewater. I’ll never tire of the stretch between Anchor Bridge and Chasewater; so varied in such a short run; urban gardens, rolling countryside. Green fields, open heath and factory yards. It’s all here, and all rather splendid.
My Horse Chestnut tree at Home Farm – my favourite, and my overseer of the year – is currently in glorious flower, like most conker trees. At the Chasewater Cottages, young rabbits regarded me watchfully from the buttercup-strewn lawn. And in a waterside garden, I loved momma and children scarecrows.
I’ll never love a stretch of canal more than this.
May 27th – I had stuff to do near Allcester, and finished early, so rode over to the canal at Browmsgrove and rode home all the way on the canals, through Birmingham. A great, though tiring ride, the canal was as fascinating and quirky as ever.
I loved the giant Lego in Aston, and was mindful of the slow men in the water. The boater dogs were charming, and I’d forgotten Brittania in inner-city Brum.
A great ride.
May 23 – At Catshill Junction on the way back, a small, domestic thriller: a young, very ginger cat was watching a pair of unconcerned mallards, maybe thinking of plum sauce.
Of course, I broke the spell, and butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. What a lovely stripy fellow!
May 18th – I spotted him sat on the decking on the canal bank by Barrow Close, Walsall Wood. The marmalade cat’s attention was so fixed, I couldn’t possibly distract him.
I hope he caught whatever it was. Not seen this chap before – that looks like a fine stripes tail there!
May 1st – Born to be wild, still running free, the Newtown One.
The Muscovy Pimpernel still evades capture.
April 24th – At Chasewater, life halts briefly while the four white domestic ducks from just up the canal at Newtown perform a brief Beatles Abbey Road tribute.
My eyes were a bit damp to tell the truth…
April 23rd – I popped out late afternoon – it was very cold with a lazy, biting wind that instead of going around you, just went straight through. It was periodically sunny, but with remarkably dark, threatening skies. I headed for Chasewater and noted that the willows were coming into leaf – always a good sign – and that the valve from Chasewater had now been opened and the water level had started to drop. This seems to be coinciding with the reintroduction of cattle onto the spillway heath, so I guess the authorities want that area to dry out in readiness.
I interrupted a small drama as I crossed Catshill Junction on my way back to Brownhills – the puss clearly fancied a little duck for supper, but was clearly out of luck – but if looks could kill…
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 