February 12th – Really getting back into the swing now, but tiredness is a big issue, it has to be said.
Up at stupid o’clock to get a train to Leicester, not many were around New Street Station when I arrived before the commuting day was really kicking off.
I like this place empty, it’s atmospheric and oddly beautiful.
All I needed now was a train…
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December 12th – Walsall’s Christmas lights are not ostentatious these days, but Walsall always looks sort of Christmassy at night anyway.
Whether it’s Bridge Street or Leicester Street, the street lighting, vehicles, building lights and architecture combine to make something quite festive and magical.
For all the stick it gets, Walsall isn’t a bad old place.
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July 14th – Another long ride in the afternoon up to the Cloud Trail past Cloud Quarry and into Derby City Centre. The route was pretty much the same as the week before, but more relaxed. It was a gorgeous day, and it was interesting to see the blasting progress in the quarry from the week before – and also, the bees pollinating teasels clinging the to the cliff edge near the viewpoint.
Derby remains a beautiful city with much history – but I also enjoyed the canal at Stretton, which in the still evening with darkness coming on was serene and beautiful.
Another great ride in a continuing, brilliant summer.
January 12th – I came from Derby to Leicester, made a call in Leicester, back to Birmingham and then Walsall. At 4:30pm I was in Derby; by 6:30 I was in Walsall. Not bad, really.
Through my increasing aches and congestion – the cold was really clouding things now – I got the Late Night Feelings vibe in several places, and a bit of a Peter Saville in Walsall.
I love travelling. I love riding a bike. I don’t love the cold virus.
I was glad to get home.
December 10th – In a bizarre twist of events, in an already hectic, busy day, I had to go to Leicester to collect something from a shop. This pre-christmas errand wouldn’t have been so bad, but I had to pop in to Aldridge on the way, and the weather was awful.
It started to rain before I set out – steady, but light. When I got to Aldridge, the errand I was on there proved to be pointless, so frustrated, I headed for Blake Street to get a train to Birmingham. The train, unusual even for a pre Christmas one, was heaving. I’d tangled with the crowds going to an Aston Villa home game.
Dishevelled and irritated, I hopped on a warm, peaceful train to Leicester, and as I found my way to the mall where the shop in question is, the rain was very nearly stopped. I locked the bike up, and completed my task.
Re-emerging from the electric glare of the Mall it was pouring with rain. I returned through a beautifully glistening city, alive with interesting bikes, shops, lights and a rather wonderful but slightly wonky Christmas tree. I was wet, but Leicester was gorgeous. I love that place, I really do.
Returning from Blake Street was a trial. There was local flooding. The Chester Road and Brownhills High Street were awash with standing water the traffic wasn’t handling well.
But I’d completed what I needed to. I felt better. Mission accomplished.
November 9th – A wet night in Walsall, returning later than usual through the area near the Civic Centre, I noticed the fallen leaves were forming a glistening, multicoloured carpet. This area is surprisingly beautiful at any time of year, with usually unnoticed mature trees and wide pedestrian areas, but in autumn, after dark, even with the peculiarly strident street lighting this place is special.
Walsall is a place of many hidden beautiful and unexpected corners.
January 11th – I had to go to a meeting in Leicester, and for some reason felt very low for most of the day. My health wasn’t great and I felt grim and lacklustre.
Only one thing for it – comfort food on the way back. I called in a a favourite asian snack shop, and bought the most wonderful dhokla, patra and five small, crunchy samosas. The whole lot was less than £3 and came with various sauces.
They tasted wonderful and got me home feeling better. Sometimes, you just need a bit of soul food.
October 2nd – I felt this was probably going to be the last good day of the Indian summer, and headed out for a long ride. I had a small errand to do in Leicester, so caught the train at dawn, and resolved to ride home on NCN 6 to Derby, then back from there along the Trent corridor.
I came through Spinney Hills early in the day. This row of remarkable terraces – all named after classical characters – is astounding.
Every time I come to Leicester I spot some new architectural gem. I love this place.
September 1st – And when I say frenetic, I mean frenetic. Look at this junk shop. Does he get all that stuff back in at night? That’s astounding.
September 1st – Today, for the first time in ages, I had to go to Leicester for a work appointment. I forgot how wonderfully vibrant the city is, and how gorgeously eclectic the architecture is.
Brutal in places, it’s mostly Victorian faux-gothic, elaborate terraces or just plain bonkers. The church spires coexist with minarets, tower blocks and statement systembuilds. The streets hum with chaotic, frenetic activity.
I love where I live with all my heart, but there will always be a soft spot in there for this city, too. I could live here.
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