June 17th – ‘Great job meeting people wearing a suit’ they said. It’ll be fun they said.
Spotted in Walsall, just between Tesco, Macdonalds and Walsall College at Lunchtime.
No, I have no idea either…
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June 17th – For some reason later than the canalside ones, the orchids in the grass on the bank from the canal to the new pond at Clayhanger are now coming out.
Thankfully unharmed by the Canal and River Trust mower, these lovely purple flowers are hard to spot at first amongst the tall grass, vetch and other wildflowers but they’re there – being beautiful and trying to get noticed.
If you go for a look, wear wellies or long trousers as the grass is full of cuckoo spit…
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June 16th – Looks like it’s going to be a good year for crop-field poppies: The gorgeous effect where these delightful flowers bloom amongst agricultural crops and present patches or whole fields of red.
At Stubby Leas near Elford, this gorgeous patch of big red flowers in a field of oilseed rape were absolutely delightful and a patch of brightness after the sun had gone in.
The feathery, fussy and lovely flower was found growing in a ditch, beside the quarry at Sittles, all by itself.
You can’t mention poppies without thinking of the symbolism of Remembrance and they are so beautifully appropriate.
You certainly never forget with these lovely tributes occurring naturally.
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June 15th – With things online getting on top of me, I headed out at lunchtime on a much better day to find cake, sunshine and solace.
The sunshine was patchy, but lovely and I went to my old haunt of Hints Ford to see it after the rains. Green and peaceful as ever, there was much to see: I was particularly fascinated by the honeybee nest in the tree there.
Hints is as gorgeous as it ever was and I’ve missed it – I must try to get here more often.
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June 15th – On my return, I crisscrossed the Trent and Tame at sunset. The rivers were very swollen and had risen onto the floodplains at Walton and Croxall.
I was amused but not surprised to see the outdoor education centre at Whitemoor Lakes had it’s climbing and activity equipment in several feet of water – although the centre itself was safe up on the bund. I guess they’ll be doing more watersports than planned this week.
I never cease to be fascinated and impressed with the rivers in spate. Such quite, constant power, a forceful but elegant reminder that the weather and elements still rule us.
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June 14th – Feeling unwell but needing to go out, I slipped out late afternoon to pick something up from a friend in Barton. The heavens opened on my as I left and the rain was torrential. By the time I got to Lichfield I was soaked – I’d endured rain, hail, thunder and lightning…
But, at Lichfield, the weather cleared, the sun came out and I gently dried in the soft sun. It was actually gorgeous.
Cake, coffee, a completed mission at Barton, I enjoyed a spin back and the spectacle of flooded roads and swollen rivers.
A better than expected ride.
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June 14th – A dry commute to work (but sadly, not back) was a novelty. It was grey, and I never felt quite safe from the threatening skies but the blessed absence of rain was nice.
Victoria Park in Darlaston looks lush and green as one would expect in such a wet season. The mystic bridge I stood on to take photos from, however, was slippery with algae and lethal, so take care!
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June 13th – It was drier in the morning, with ha hint, just a hint of sun when I headed to Telford. My jacket hood was down for the first time in a week. I could see where I was going.
Could this be the end of the rain for a while?
Lulled into a false sense of security, a flash shower caught me on the way back to the station.
Thankfully, by the time the train got to Wolverhampton the rain had been left behind.
Just one blessed day without rain, please? It’s not too much to ask, is it?
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June 12th – I think that very soon I shall start growing webs between my toes. This rain is remarkable and without a break. It’s beginning to get to even me – there’s a permanent rainbow in our kitchen from drying waterproofs.
But still, nature does it’s thing: On a short errand out of work at Darlaston, my first spots of the lovely, thistle-like knapweed and cleavers, the sticky, velcro-like seeds that stick to anything furry – socks, dogs, cats.
Cleavers, or sweethearts are we called them, always now remind me of leprechaun testicles after a comment from Susan Marie Ward years ago.
I’ve given up hoping for an end to the rain and am just hoping I don’t drown…
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June 11th – The rain continued throughout Tuesday and everything was sodden. Squelching my way home I hit the canal back to Brownhills, again avoiding the mad wet-weather traffic, and met these guys near the Pelsall Road.
It’s nice to see the Watermead swan family – such attentive parents they hatched just 3 this year, but these cheeky little bandits who immediately came over for treats are healthy and full of beans.
I didn’t realise it was possible for swans to look so wet, but they did. I wonder what they think of this endless rain?
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