February 6th – I had promised not to moan about the rain again. But come on, it was rain all day from the moment I awoke until late into the evening. That’s not good. And again, that evil, evil wind.
I got out around teatime and did a quick loop of the town. There is something enchanting about traffic, electric light and rain, but I think I’ve seen enough of it.
All I want right now is a dry, calm and sunny spring. It seems unlikely. But I can always hope…
February 5th – Yet again on a Friday, I found myself cruising down from Shire Oak into Brownhills. The wind had indeed been evil, but was at least now more or less at my back. I had to stop to answer the phone on Anchor Bridge, and while I was chatting I noticed the view, from the very bridge I was contemplating the night before. This slope here is more or less continuous from Shire Oak, and the road here is wide. Where I was stood in years gone by would have been a toll house, and when I was a kid there would have been grim maisonettes here and over the road, a large tower block. Now, it’s new build and an old folk’s home.
These days, this view seems utterly familiar, but twelve or so years ago, it would have been totally different. It struck me as I put the phone away that change is ongoing, and so granular that one hardly notices it happening.
January 22nd – It had been one hello of a bad day. I’d had a terrible ride to work – 50 minutes into driving rain and a headwind, and when there, didn’t get time to catch my breath. After a day that seemed to last forever, I had to pop to Stonnall on my way home – but at least the rain had stopped and the wind was more accommodating. Coming down from Shire Oak into Brownhills, I stopped to catch the lights of the High Street. It was warm and wet again, so winter seems to have abated again. But this was a good sight – back in Brownhills after a bad day, and the promise of a couple of days off, a big mug of tea and some decent food.
Some days, home is all you need.
January 3rd – A late, wet spin around Brownhills after another very, very wet day. Thankfully, I had a huge amount of paperwork to do for work, so at least I didn’t feel so bad about missing a decent cycling day.
Brownhills was wet, dank, and once again, oddly warm. I hardly saw a soul, and the only sounds were my wheels squelching through the puddles and of water flowing endlessly into drains.
I think I’d be better at this rate flogging the bike and starting 365daysofcanoeing…
November 17th – Passing through Walsall Wood, the wind was ferocious on the way home – but thankfully, it was behind me. Clocking up a near record commute time of 35 minutes and hardly having to pedal from Walsall, the few hardy souls I saw cycling in the other direction had my utmost sympathy.
The view in both directions from Walsall Wood Bridge is great at night and I’ll always adore it – but I had to hold the camera really carefully tonight in case the wind snatched it away.
August 29th – I nipped down to Stonnall to see a pal and left just as dusk was closing in. As I came over Shire Oak Hill and back into Brownhills, the sky caught fire with a most gorgeous sunset.
Brownhills never looked better.
April 7th – It was a gorgeous golden hour tonight. I rode home along the canal through Goscote, and then for a change, down Walsall Wood High Street. It all seemed so peaceful.
I guess it was quiet for the Easter break – but anyone who says there’s no beauty here just isn’t looking. After a winter that seemed as endless as ever, this is just what I need.
March 27th – Another afternoon escape, and I hit the canal again, up to Wolverhampton for a meeting, down to Coseley and round the old line through Tipton, Dudley Port and Oldbury, back up to Toll End, then up the Tame Valley to Rushall Junction, and back home. A pleasant 45 miles, in decent conditions, but the towpaths are still very muddy and heavy going.
I nipped to the shops in Wednesfield for a snack, and the primroses around the church there are a stunning sight – it really is quite a lovely High Street they have there.
March 1st – I noted with some curiosity that earlier that day, the worst potholes and uneven patches in Brownhills High Street had been fixed by the council. This is good news – some of those potholes were so old and large, they had their own ecosystems. But it does mean that a full resurface, which the street really does need – must be a long, long way off.
Bugger.
February 10th – Working late, and a late journey home through Walsall Wood to drop something off. I love this small but busy High Street at night. Still retaining a village atmosphere, the lights, pubs and takeaways make it seem welcoming and pleasant.
I’ll be so glad when the light nights come back. I think I’ve had enough of the darkness now.
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