April 9th – Lambs, lots of them. The lambing must be in full swing, and as I headed to Hoar Cross today through Hanch and Tuppenhirst, I spotted these wonderful offspring. Not a bad day to be born, really.
It was the same throughout Staffordshire: Up at Dunstable, the sheep in the avenue was a timeless view I reckon hasn’t changed in centuries.
April 8th – Another long ride today, a gorgeous one too. The weather was wonderful, and I had energy in my legs. I headed out via Wall and Whittington, through Elford, Harlaston and Clifton to No Mans Heath, stopped for a breather in Appleby, up to Measham and back via Coton in the Elms, Catton and Croxall. About 70 miles, I reacquainted myself with some places I hadn’t been for years – including Honey Hill and Salt Street.
A great ride
April 7th – It was a gorgeous golden hour tonight. I rode home along the canal through Goscote, and then for a change, down Walsall Wood High Street. It all seemed so peaceful.
I guess it was quiet for the Easter break – but anyone who says there’s no beauty here just isn’t looking. After a winter that seemed as endless as ever, this is just what I need.
April 6th – East Staffordshire was positively glowing on a sunny, warm spring afternoon; the rolling countryside, spring flowers and greening countryside was gorgeous.
These views never grow old – and I couldn’t resist Clifton Campville and Lullington for Pedro Cutler.
I’m rediscovering this countryside again. It’s still gorgeous. Summer is going to be brilliant.
April 4th – Passing through Lichfield and back later in the day, spring really was in the air. The sun shone patchily on the rolling landscape between the canal and Hammerwich, whereas Minster Pool was dark and broody. On my return, I noticed gorgeous colour as the weeping willows are in bud in Festival Gardens, and grape hyacinths are growing well on the verges of the main roads.
One odd thing is the white plant flowering at the edge of the verges; this tiny flower is Danish scurvy grass, a formerly coastal flower that thrives beside main roads in the salty soil caused by winter gritting.
April 1st – It doesn’t feel like spring right now – another pair of wind-blasted, periodically damp commutes; but in the hedgerows, verges and field-margins nature is stirring. The pussy willows are flowering well, the blackthorn is smattered with blossom and there are the bright green shoots of a new growing season beginning to show.
I have the feeling that if I hold on, spring will kick in very shortly…
Which is just as well, as today is the 4th birthday of this journal. On April 1st, 2011, fellow cyclist and full time Dutch Cycling Girl Renee Van Baar persuaded me to do #30daysofbiking for the April social media project. The rest is history.
I have ridden a bike without fail every day for four years, all but for two lost days to illness over New Year 2011/12. I have now cycled well over 1,000 days continuously, and logged a picture or short film from every day.
I couldn’t give up now. This is ingrained in me, as part of my daily riding habit. Tens of thousands of miles in everything from bright sunshine to heavy snow, I’ve chronicled my life on two wheels. The drive to keep the journal keeps me connected with my environment and still makes me look at things afresh, and sometimes, gets my arse into gear when I otherwise wouldn’t.
I will continue this as long as I’m able, but if it gets embarrassing or unseemly, just tell me to stop. Relying on you lot there, so I am…
Thanks for riding with me. I’ve had a great time so far, and I’m looking forward to a great summer. You lot up for it?
March 30th – I keep banging on about this, but it is rather great. On a blowy but beautiful spring morning, I dawdled through Kings Hill Park. With every week of spring it gets that little bit more green, that bit more in bloom.
Today it was gorgeous. Can’t wait until there’s some leaves on those trees. Wherever you are, get into your local parks. Walsall’s people work hard to keep our open spaces looking great. Enjoy them while they’re at their most beautiful.
March 29th – It was just an awfully uninspiring day. There were very few people about. The wildlife seemed to be hiding. Everything looked drab. In a vain search for deer I hopped onto clay hanger Common, which was saturated, like a marsh. Even the pigeons were giving it a miss.
It does look wonderfully green, though.
March 29th – The start of British Summertime, and out of the darkness for another year, but it didn’t feel like it. It was very windy and wet for much of the day, and it wasn’t very warm either. Sneaking out in a break in the rain mid afternoon, I was buffeted around Brownhills which was largely grey and uninspiring.
I did notice that the new flats at the former Wessex Close site were now complete, and looking good. I like them – a huge improvement on what was there before. We need more of this.
March 27th – Another afternoon escape, and I hit the canal again, up to Wolverhampton for a meeting, down to Coseley and round the old line through Tipton, Dudley Port and Oldbury, back up to Toll End, then up the Tame Valley to Rushall Junction, and back home. A pleasant 45 miles, in decent conditions, but the towpaths are still very muddy and heavy going.
I nipped to the shops in Wednesfield for a snack, and the primroses around the church there are a stunning sight – it really is quite a lovely High Street they have there.
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 