#365daysofbiking Spring flower power:

April 9th – And on my return, the spring flowers spotted in gardens and on verges around Brownhills were stunning.

There is colour everywhere at the moment, from the fragile beauty of tulips to the tiny majesty of the smaller blooms.

Work is still mentally very punishing and it’s not getting any easier – and when working from home I miss the commuting rides terribly – I need light, air, space and engagement with my beloved natural world.

But seeing these beauties makes it all seem worthwhile.

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December 9th – Brownhills still has some good pubs, even if they are somewhat thinner on the ground than they used to be. At the one end of the scale, there’s the large, family chain pub as exemplified by the Hussey Arms, Smithy’s Forge and Crown. At the other end, there are still a few traditional back-street boozers, like The Prince of Wales. On a dark, cold Sunday night in december, they all look very bright and welcoming…

December 17th – For the first year in ages, Brownhills actually gained more pubs than it lost in 2011. The Hussey Arms – reopened by Greene King as a family pub – always seems rammed, and is getting good reports, although I’ve yet to visit. The Swan, also revitalised, renovated and reopened, is thankfully doing well, too. A traditional boozer, I had the pleasure of trying this fine pub a few weeks ago. Both are excellent additions to the social life of Brownhills, and I wish them well. Nice to see a full bike rack at The Hussey, too…