November 17th – Passing through Telford near lunchtime, it was a lovely late autumn day. Taking a short cut through Priorslee, I crossed the motorway bridge and was pleased to note the trees were still showing beautiful colours, and the cycleway was still an autumnal Arcadia.
Over the years I’ve given new towns like Telford and Redditch a lot of stick but they can be really beautiful in really unexpected ways.
December 11th – Also at Telford, by the M54 just n the embankment by the cycleway, a fine crop of crabapples even the birds are not bothering with.
Perhaps they’re too bitter, or hard, but there’s something a bit sad and dramatic about a tree with no leaves, and an unfallen, unwanted crop of fruit.
October 27th – I had to nip to Priorslee to pick something up. The trail crosses the M54 via a pedestrian/cycle bridge that twangs gently when you cross it, and resonates with every large lorry that passes underneath.
From the bridge, the embankments of the motorway were displaying wonderful colour even on this dull day, and the view to my destination looked almost bucolic and mysterious.
Autumn has it’s moments.
March 20th – It’s been a very, very tough week, and I was glad of the peace and quite when I found myself having to visit Telford. Cycling to Priorslee on the cycleway, spring is on the way there, too; this line of blossom (probably blackthorn, but maybe wild plum – thanks, Linda!) along the embankment was impressive. Spring is really here now, and I’m loving it, even on this dull day.
January 27th – Telford. Unusually, off to Priorslee to pick up some paperwork before heading back across town.
I love the desolate symmetry of this cycleway bridge over the motorway. It twangs gently as you cycle over it.
Of such things, tiny pleasures are made.
May 11th – this morning found me in Telford, early. I find the new town to be a generally unfocussed, soulless place, with no real centre. What it does have, however, is a remarkable quantity of off-road cycle paths. This one crosses the motorway to Priorslee. This network is wonderful – shame it’s almost totally unmapped and not serving a nicer place.
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 