March 22nd – Just outside Clifton Campville, near Chilcote and Honey Hill as the sun set, the cloud broke and sunlight streamed through to the distant landscape below. It was absolutely captivating.
One thing about early spring – some absolutely terrific skies.
I was glad I was there to catch this.
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2TzMVgA
via IFTTT
March 22nd – A great 62 mile ride out to Rosliston Foresstry Centre, Coton in the Elms, Lullington, Netherseal and No Mans Heath. It was a lovely spring day in the sun, and the cake at Rosliston was excellent. It was a lovely day top be out.
When I changed direction at No Mans Heath, the sun was setting and the wind drove against me. It went very cold, and coming home was a real batt.e, reminding me that although the sun had been out, winter’s hand could still be felt on the weather. It was bitter.
A lovely ride out though, and just what I needed.
This journal is moving home. Please find out more by clicking here.
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2Yzpc42
via IFTTT
March 23rd – Meanwhile, over with the red deer at Chasewater, the seasonal moult has started, and the ladies who looked so healthy and fine a week ago now look like threadbare old rugs. They are also covered in dried mud, which they roll in to try and liberate the irritating cold weather coat.
It’s natural of course, to lose the winter coat, and the scruffiness will soon pass; but my favourite ladies always look so grim at this time of year.
This journal is moving home. Please find out more by clicking here.
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2OoZ1IF
via IFTTT
March 23rd – On a short late afternoon ride out on a cold, windy afternoon, I noticed the Watermead swan couple were making preparations for another family, just by the canal basin and houses around the canal bend from the canoe centre.
These two birds have raised many cygnets to maturity in recent years and it’s good to see them back.
However, the mail is somewhat formidable and canoeists, kayakers, passing dogs and waterfowl will need to be careful: This lad protects his family aggressively.
This journal is moving home. Please find out more by clicking here.
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2TuShJX
via IFTTT
March 22nd – Returning from Telford on an absolute bastard of a day, I couldn’t face the run from Walsall station and decided to get off the train at Bloxwich for a change.
Bloxwich railway station is functional – two platforms, two shelters, that’s it: A modern day, urban halt. But tonight, with stomach cramps and an aching head, it was good to arrive in fresh, cool air and look at my quiet, darkening surroundings and be thankful that I was nearing home.
I like this station, for all it’s dystopian desolation. Tonight, it felt like a homecoming, a return. The weekend ahead, peace and good company.
Sometimes, that’s all you need to make you feel better.
I made it home with the wind behind me in 22 minutes.
This journal is moving home. Please find out more by clicking here.
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2WiZGxL
via IFTTT
March 21st – Meanwhile, up at Kings Hill Park things are moving swiftly on. The crocuses have gone now, and the daffodils – always early here – are past their best and dying off.
However, in the patch of wildflowers near the gate, there are loads and loads of tiny flowers which I thought were violets, but now I’m not sure in a lilac, pastel blue and sky blue selection.
I can’t identify them for sure, but I can say they’re absolutely delightful.
This journal is moving home. Please find out more by clicking here.
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2HzMuBo
via IFTTT
March 21st – A remarkable early riser at the moment in this early and temperate spring is the purple dead-nettle. Not usually seen until mid April around here, there are lovely little mauve-pink patches of this small plant in scrubs, commons, heaths, hedgerows and towpaths everywhere I go.
It doesn’t sting, and I love how the upper leaves have a red colour that compliments the delicate blooms.
In the last couple of years I’ve really come to appreciate nettles – yellow archangel is another member of the family which will soon appear and it’s stunningly beautiful too.
A real gem.
This journal is moving home. Please find out more by clicking here.
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2YfRxMk
via IFTTT
March 20th – As if to cement my good feeling, on a grass verge in Stonnall, an annual first and my favourite flower: The cowslip.
These tough, beautiful little primroses are my absolute favourite flower and it’s always wonderful to welcome them back into my life.
Let’s hope this solitary soldier is the first of a record year!
This journal is moving home. Please find out more by clicking here.
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2WjKjp9
via IFTTT
March 20th – In the backlanes between Shenstone and Stonnall, on the way home from the station late on a sunny, warm spring afternoon.
Feeling the sun on my face, looking at the daffodils and green, and smelling the rising of the sap and the scents of earth and fresh growth, I realise I survived another long winter, and there’s nowhere I’d rather be than here, right now.
The winter hasn’t been a harsh one. But my goodness I found it tough.
This journal is moving home. Please find out more by clicking here.
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2TQ9RwY
via IFTTT
March 19th – Returning from work late, around 8pm I sailed through the Civic Quarter in Walsall and found it oddly bereft of people and even the roads were quiet.
Glad to see someone has finally painted over the horrid spots on Hatherton House which although painted by the tenant, were nothing short of an act of vandalism to a historic building.
This place is always odd at night: I love the interrelation of the light, trees and built environment but will always hate those streetlights. Awful design.
This journal is moving home. Please find out more by clicking here.
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2UMNXYa
via IFTTT
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 