July 16th – Hey, South Wigston has a station cat. With the close proximity of dense housing, and embankments and wastelands full of small, squeaky things, it was inevitable, really, but I’d never seen this young lad before.
He was doing monorail cat on the pedestrian barrier until I appeared. He hopped off when I got out my camera, but did pose for a few shots… a lovely lad, clearly.
Like pubs, every station should have a resident cat.
July 14th – South Wigston station, where sadly some Philistine has been out with a brush-cutter and mown the interesting flowers back from the walkway.
However, the sweet peas growing in the centre of my favourite patch of wilding are keeping the bees busy.
There’s always something to cheer, here…
June 18th – Back in Leicester, and a better look at South Wigston station’s wasteland garden. Today, amongst the truly beautiful, feral flowers, I found a plaque which answers many questions.
Wonder what happened to the friends of this lonely halt? I think I’m the only friend it has these days. But the love is strong, and that’s what counts.
I’m certain there’s a story in here somewhere.
June 16th – I called in at South Wigston on the way back, to kill two birds with one stone. The wasteland at the station there is beautiful again – brambles, ox eye daisies, thistles and dog roses mingled with a couple of unknowns. Considering this land – sitting between the access ramp and the platform – is totally abandoned and no more than 15 square metres, it holds no end of delights all year round. Stunning.
June 11th – An odd day, really. I went over to Leicester early afternoon on a short notice call, and ended up leaving there late afternoon. Like the muppet I am, I left my camera there, and ended up having to use the phone camera, which I hate.
Waiting for a return train at South Wigston, I spotted this moron. Sat with his legs dangling over the platform edge at a station that sees fast through traffic, he ignored anyone (including me) who remonstrated with him to get up.
A candidate for a Darwin Award if ever there was one.
December 4th – Also in South Wigston, a postie’s bike. I was intrigued by this one as it shows how heavily loaded these things are these days – and why they’re being phased out in favour of electric carts and vehicles. Postmen and women these days deliver far more parcels and packets than they used to, and less letters, which make for heavier, bulkier delivery pouches.
This bike is interesting, too; not the usual design I see around, this is a step-through and has 3spead hub gear, with Bendix hub brakes. The water bottle made me smile, too…
December 4th – I was in Leicester again, but on a better day. Feeling a lot better, the weather was quite nice too, if a little nippy. For years, I’ve been passing the care home near South Wigston station, and admiring the treestump carvings in the garden. I’ve never thought to photograph them until today. They’re all beautifully observed, and the photo of the squirrel one doesn’t do it justice. What lovely things to sit in a dayroom and look out upon…
December 2nd – Still unwell, I had important stuff to attend to in Leicester, so off I went. Headachy, still with an upset stomach, the going was hard, and I didn’t take photos today except in the one place there that never, ever disappoints: South Wigston station. Everywhere else is shades of grey, black, ochre and slate; here there are crimson rose hips, orange cotoneasters and some dainty yellow flowers I couldn’t identify. Such a lovely bit of colour on a murky, overcast, grey day. And all growing from a small parcel of wasteland. A wonder to behold.
October 23rd – Spotted in the backstreets of Leicester, I have no idea why you’d do this. Can understand the enthusiasm for the bus, but the low profile tyres? Bet that makes speed bumps interesting.
Oh well, it takes all sorts I suppose.
October 23rd – Back in Leicester for the day, and passing through South Wigston station, I stopped briefly to study my favourite bit of wild land, not expecting much to be showing well. How wrong I was. Cotoneaster, a yellow berry I don’t recognise, roses, rose hips, clover all made for a fine splash of colour. The cotoneasters were particularly impressive, and they’ll make a handsome winter feast for the blackbirds.
A fine end to yet another wet commute.
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