February 6th – On the canal near Scarborough Road in Pleck, I was pulled up short by this gorgeous lad singing his heart out from a canalside thicket.
He was happy. The seasonal imperative is kicking in. He’s singing to attract a mate, no doubt.
I wish you well, tiny robin. I wish you well.
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February 5th – I have absolutely no idea at all what’s happened here at all.
It started at the weekend – a rubbing on the front disc brake on my current bike of choice. A light rub, no more that a tickle.
As the days progressed it got worse, and defied my attempts to adjust it away.
In exasperation, I removed the brake pads, which were OK at about 60% remaining.
The leaf spring that keeps them off the disc however, was broken. This was allowing on pad to rub.
An easy, 30 second replacement. But I’ve never had a spring fail like that that hasn’t been worn on the disc as the pad ran down.
This is most peculiar. I shall keep my eye on things in case it’s something significant.
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February 3rd – I noted last week that I was entering the season of the commute sunset, and I wasn’t wrong. This spectacular one greeted me as I returned to Telford station this evening.
It’s so good to be setting home in the light once more. Finally it feels like spring might be not so far away.
Bring it on.
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February 3rd – After a very cold night, a lovely, sunny and almost warm spring day was welcome. Around midday, with the sun on my cheeks it could almost have been March, not February.
In the cemetery opposite St Annes Church in Chasetown, the serious business of advancing the season is pushing forward undaunted by a bit of ice and snow. The annual riot of crocuses is just kicking off, and was beautiful, but the primroses in the churchyard itself were weather lovely too.
Just what I needed after this thankfully brief cold snap.
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January 29th – Despite an icing sugar dusting of snow and a very cold wind, the dates and emergent daffodils of the industrial estate where I work know spring is a thing.
Jack in the Green has tapped the ground with his stick and it’s all systems go.
The cold might slow things up a few days, but it’s underway now. It’s coming.
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January 28th – Passing through Kings Hill Park on a mercifully sunny, chilly day, I noted the progress of the snowdrops and crocuses, with the early-appearers looking wonderful in the sunlight.
I’m a bit worried about Kings Hill Park. Not one of Walsall Council’s premier parks, it seems to be losing some funding and last year, although kept beautifully tidy. the flower planters seemed rather neglected, which is a shame as they’ve always been gorgeous.
Kings Hill Park is a gem of a place, sited on largely reclaimed former industrial land, and is a jewel in the urbanity along the Walsall-Sandwell border.
I hope it gets a bit more love this year.
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January 18th – Despite the cold, spring was still gently pushing forward in a garden in Darlaston – with snowdrops in full bloom and crocuses now up and in bud.
At such a very cold, grey time it’s good to see some signs of spring around the corner.
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January 10th – The signs of life continue in the still overall very mild winter; pansies and the first snowdrops – not here a week ago – in Kings HJill Park, Darlaston.
It’s great to see them, they really bring a splash of welcome colour to a grey world.
Just hope we don’t get a cold snap to set them back – after all, last spring was very late. Let’s have an early one this year, eh?
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January 7th – But there’s always brightness, and just now, everywhere reminders that while still not here, spring is only just around the corner.
In a garden in kings Hill where in summer I see old Sam the cat, pots of flowers – fancy miniature daffodils and primroses of some sort I think.
Whatever they are, they cheered me right up. Thank you!
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January 4th – In Kings Hill Park again at lunchtime heading for B&Q, I stopped to note that ostensibly, it was very much winter, and the park looked as darkly green and growthless as it always does at this time every year.
But wait up.
Stop and look, and honey fungus is growing in the grass – and bedgraggled daisies are still very much in bloom. But better than these side effects of a so far warm winter, the spring flowers are coming now: They have stirred in the death and are sending green shoots upwards.
Soon, there will be flowers.
My heart sang.
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