October 24th – At the other end of the day, I came back at 6pm, and noticed it was already coming on dark. I stopped briefly at Shire Oak to sort my lights out properly, and reflected on the fact that next week, after the clocks go back, I’ll be doing this in the dark. I’d better start remembering my tripod…
I hate this time of year with a passion.
October 16th – It seemed a little previous, considering it’s two weeks to Halloween, but as I waited at the lights at the Pleck Road/Bridgman Street junction in Walsall on my way home I spied this real pumpkin on the parcel shelf of the car in front. Nicely carved, too; beats a nodding dog.
It certainly made me smile.
7th OCtober – Sorry, only just had time to sort this out.
This is a very close pass. He was agressive behind me at the lights, and didn’t appear to care how close he came. The back end was very close indeed. This actually scared me.
I cannot understand the necessity for such an aggressive manoeuvre, particularly at a junction where I have to be particularly wary of traffic from the filter at the left. I had full lights on at the time, and he pulled up behind me at the lights, so he knew full well I was there. Shocking.
July 28th – I wasn’t feeling great, but ambled out mid afternoon, with no clear direction. I ended up at Fradley Junction, near Lichfield, and took tea and cake by the canal. The sun was lovely when it shone, but the wind – after the stillness of the last few weeks – was a shock, and my attempts to cycle to Hopwas on the canal were cut short by a dodgy stomach.
I did get to Whittington, however, and noted the new marina just north of Huddlesford. The boater cat nearby was gorgeous, and friendly too. A pleasant afternoon, but it was hard going.
July 12th – Crossing Shire Oak with a saddlebag full of food, I was caught by the lights. The junction is quite, quite horrid, and desperately needs resurfacing. Later on that evening, there would be a serious road accident here, blocking the junction for several hours.
It really was about time something was done to improve this junction or all users.
July 11th – My dislike of the Arboretum Junction in Walsall knows no end. It seems difficult for most users – be they motorised or human powered. It’s particularly bad for pedestrians, who have to use multiple crossings to cross one road – so a simple negotiation can involve four or five waits. It’s horrid.
I noticed this lady yesterday evening. She was still negotiating the junction when I crossed, and I felt quite sorry for her – by road is the easiest way, but it’s very, very intimidating. Nice bike, though, and it looks well used.
The traffic engineers who thought this batshit crazy junction up should be forced to cross in on foot for perpetuity.
February 7th – I guess my hands must be getting steadier, or I’m getting better at this photography hoohah. Today was pretty much the inverse of yesterday; 24 hours before the morning commute was wet, and the evening rewarded me with a dry, beautiful sunset twilight commute. Today, the morning was stunning in it’s beauty, and in the evening, I got wet.
At the Arboretum junction, I was held, as usual, at the lights. Waiting to cross, I whipped out the camera, and took a couple of quick shots before the lights changed. Oddly for a ¼ exposure, it came out quite crisp even though it was handheld.
January 4th – There was a bit of a psychological barrier I had to cross: I wanted to still do this, but I think I’d mentally prepared myself to stop; so like slowing down on a bike as you reach the bottom of a hill, you’re robbed of momentum and it takes you a while to build it back up. I found it hard to take pictures. This I know, will pass; I’ve had it before. It’s like I’m trying to deny myself something.
I reflected on this whilst stopped at the lights coming from Walsall that evening. The nights already seem to be opening out, and I had hat feeling that Christmas was way behind. But two days of work had left me strangely enervated. Life is odd sometimes. When the lights changed, I just hunched over and went for it.
Sometimes, that’s the only thing to do.
November 8th – Urban design. This really irritates me – so much so, one day I’m going to twist the sign out of the way. When on the stop line at the front of the queue leaving Birmingham New Street Station, a sign on a nearby lighting column obscures the view of the lights unless you’re in just the right position. Usually, you’re surrounded by traffic, or in bright sunlight, obscuring the other signals.
I’ve been through here in a van and it’s no better, really. I wish people would think about this stuff – it really is time for less clutter signage at junctions.
March 8th – At the far end of the Tame Valley Canal, bisecting the M5/M6 interchange at Ray Hall, it meets the Birmingham and Rushall Canals and the somewhat inaccurately named Rushall Junction. This is a wonderful spot, even though it is surrounded by the roar of traffic… Maybe because it’s so tranquil. To the west, the twin spires of Wednesbury are clearly visible along the valley, and to the south east, the inviting cycleway to Birmingham, which soon diverges from the canal and cuts through the green lung of the Sandwell Valley nature reserve. To the north, the canal is arrow straight through the nine uphill locks to Longwood Junction, from where it winds it’s contour route through Aldridge and Walsall Wood to Brownhills. I love this stretch of canal, and just wish the towpaths were better. In places, they are in awful condition, and in damp conditions can be a real trial.
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