Tag: reservoir

#365daysofbiking The united colours of autumn

October 13th – A low, tired recovery day, still wrecked from the last week’s intense work schedule and a cold that just wouldn’t lift.

A late, slow bimble to Chasewater rewarded me with more amethyst deceivers – the little purple toadstools I found on the common last week – mingled with fly agaric in their usual spot on the sandy bank near Wharf Lane Bridge.

I note the feels near Meerash oil Hammerwich are still yellow with some blooming crop. Must go take a closer look.

Plenty of other fungi abounded: After an unpromising start, we really are getting some stunning specimens.

Chasewater was wind-blasted and stark, but host to an absolutely huge gull roost. The noise was astounding and impressive.

Returning on the Back Path I was reminded abruptly of an autumn hazard: Slippery leaves. Watch out folks, they can steel your wheels from under you. Thankfully I stayed upright.

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#365daysofbiking New ways out and pushing the Boundary

June 22nd – A hurried, fast three hour ride out to an event I’d not been to before – Ashby Steam Fair at Boundary, between Swadlincote and Ashby de la Zouch. A fine day.

The fair itself was excellent, and probably the best I’d ever been to – and after I carried on to Calke, Staunton Harold Reservoir, Melbourne and then into Derby via National Cycle Route 6.

I’m always charmed by a decent steam event, and this one was terrific; not least for the sheer diversity of collections, exhibits and pastimes on display.

You can see a full gallery of that on my main blog here.

I left Derby on Route 54 and returned via Rolleston, Anslow, Barton and Lichfield.

It was a great day, and Staunton Harold was just as peaceful and as beautiful as ever it was.

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#365daysofbiking On the up

March 10th – Despite the generally rather dry winter, Chasewater continues to fill after the rain of the last few weeks,  and the slow rise is evident at the Nine-Foot pool.

Elsewhere on the lake, there were no watersports and next to nobody around, and the fierce, indefatigable wind kept all by the hardy away. But for all that the light was beautiful and the air at least made me feel a bit better.

I look forward to calmer, warmer weather.

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#365daysofbiking The colour of spring

February 22nd – I just new the sunset was going to be good – so with an errand to run in Chasetown, I hopped up to Chasewater, the better to catch it.

I wasn’t disappointed.

I love the deep blue skies we get at dusk at this time of year, and catching the golden light over the dam was a real treat.

This early spring is really refreshing this year. I hope it doesn’t;t come to an abrupt end…

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#365daysofbiking It’s a wee bit choppy

January 27th – At least it wasn’t raining.

At lunchtime, the wind was horrendous as I rode to Chasewater. Stood on the dam fighting it, it rose white-crested waves on the reservoir that broke angrily around the pier, shore and wakeboard ramps.

It was impressively dramatic but not an easy day to cycle on.

I suppose a clear day with little wind is too much to ask?

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#365daysofbiking Darkly atmospheric

Boxing Day – A late run out just to test a bike build was a great opportunity to catch a slightly misty atmosphere at Chasewater.

The shot off the north end of the dam was pure chance and took loads of attempts to get a usable image; the M6 Toll shots were far easier.

I love the way the LED lights highlight the mist.

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#365daysofbiking Falling, down::

October 20th – I was very down today. At the moment I’m working hard, long hours and it caught up with me when everything I attempted failed, or had proven to need more stuff than I had to do it with: From DIY to bike repairs, the day was an utter failure.

I slipped out at dusk, and in a half-light Brownhills, unusually my mood did not improve at all.

The gorgeous avenue of trees on The Parade few locals seem to realise is there is as photogenic as it is every autumn, and the M6 Toll and Chasewater are always good for the photographic, darkness soul.

But today, rarely, cycling didn’t help.

#365daysofbiking For those about to rock:

September 30th – The water level at Chasewater has been dropping since late summer, due to the valves being left open allowing the reservoir to drain into the canal. The drop in water level I was told was necessary to facilitate one of the periodic dam inspections that are required here, but also to undertake some maintenance on the causeway the bisects the lake from Jeffrey’s Swag, by carrying the railway and main footway to the North Heath.

Where the embankment has been collapsing, large rocks are being laid to make up for the loss, and presumably to form a barrier for further damage.

It looks like a proper job, too – not like the piles of concrete posts that were used for this purpose in the early 70s.

#365daysofbiking Falling slowly

September 2nd -I’m under the impression that water is being released from Chasewater at the moment for a dam inspection; but usually the water in recent years has been low at the end of summer. 

With the reservoir being kept so high these days generally, it seems to worry people when the level drops, but this was perfectly normal for years when I was younger.

It might not be great for the Watersport folks, but for lovers of the mini-beach at the north end of the dam it’s a real boon…

July 29th – Following all the brouhaha over the leak at Little Bloxwich and the dispute between the owners of Chasewater, Staffordshire County Council and the people who rely on it for water, the Canal and River Trust, it’s interesting to see the valves are open at Chasewater, resulting in waternflowing into a full canal and draining away via it’s overflows.

I guess they have their reasons, but it seems odd to be wasting the water at the moment, with conditions having been so dry. Perhaps they’re trying to keep up flow into the Ford Brook. The level of Chasewater itself is, of course, steadily falling now.

Nice to watch and listen to the water though – very relaxing on a dull, cool wet afternoon.