funny – Page 9 – BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking

May 22nd – Turtally awesome!

Spotted at James Bridge, on the canal between Pleck and Darlaston on a bright, warm, sunny day, a female, adult yellow-bellied slider turtle drifting down the canal on some drifting detritus while basking in the sun.

She was probably released into the canal by some idiot who couldn’t keep her any longer having no idea of the size she’d grow to be. Fortunately, this animals will live happily (but not breed) in the UK climate.

This is the urban Black Country, post industrial, inner city in 2018. We have non-native turtles drifting on the cut, enjoying the sun.

Just one of the many reasons I love this place with all my heart. There really is something new every day.

May 13th – Found on the outskirts of Wigginton, a lone cottage, derelict, in the bounds of another, occupied property.

It looks like the remnant of a larger terrace, and also like someone might be planning to, or made a start on renovating it.

It’s some way from the lane, and has a really strong air about it that it might be horrified.

One for the found faces pile, that one.

I do hope this place is one day a home again.

May 9th – Spotted whilst riding to work in Shelfield, this lithe, glossy character who seemed very keen to keep a low profile.

Maybe a bit sensitive about the ostentatious collar, who knows?

A lovely puss going about it’s business is always a pleasure to see…

May 5th – In a world of fakery and things not as they appear to be, this really shouldn’t surprise me, but I was stunned.

On a building site near Rosliston, South Derbyshire fake chimneys, ready to go on the roofs of very expensive new build houses, complete with pre assembled pots and flashing.

I feel betrayed.

May 1st – At the same complex of flats in Kings Hill where I saw old Sam yesterday, today a more… Ambitious young blade.

I see he fancies corvid for lunch. That’s brave. The magpie clearly knew the cat was there and couldn’t have cared less. A standoff I brought to an end by killing the cat’s cool credibility and saying hello.

He was unamused but genial.

April 19th – Later that same day, I popped over to Telford. When I alighted from the train, I spotted this pair of old friends on the platform.

Just two old muckers off for a break together. As you do.

It made my day.

April 5th – There will be a series of muggings on the canal in coming months.

A pair of familiar criminals met me on my way home – gone for the winter, these fair weather foes appear in the spring every year, and raise a local brood, surviving on the abundant local greens – but also on the tidbits and seed they bully out of passers by whom they harass for treats.

If you’re on the canal between Clayhanger Bridge and The Black Cock, take seed or something to shoo them off with…

April 1st – Spotted in Weeford, this brisk tabby and white cat was annoyed that I disturbed it’s hunting activities.

It’s now spring, and the season of startling cats, lying peering into hedgerows intently is upon us.

When startled they always look at you with a mixture of nonchalance and irritation.

Bless. What a lovely puss.

January 11th – So that’s how they managed to reclaim the old Servis factory site in Kings Hill.

I didn’t know Roger McGough was still in the Scaffold business…

January 9th – Oh my, what a gorgeous puss this one is, a garden wall sentry in the Butts, Walsall.

Uninterested in me until I called, it was watching human proceedings down the street. An impressive neighbourhood presence, I suspect someone loves this one a great deal.

I think the cats must be emerging out of frustration. I later saw, but was unable to photograph a black puss hunting on the wasteland at Bentley Mill Way. I’m not used to seeing cats this active in the dead of winter.

Welcome though. Most welcome…