Tag: spring

February 21st – It seems I’ve got a change of scenery for a few days. Off to Telford early today, and the weather – after a distinctly wintery dip yesterday – seemed really springlike this morning. Heading to Shenstone station along Lynn Lane, I noticed this row of bare trees. Spring will be nearly over by the time they green up, but I’m sure, somewhere in those weathered trunks, sap has started to rise. I notice bulbs are coming up and growth is tentatively commencing for another year. This thought cheered me as I sat on the train…

January 27th – Today was the exact opposite of yesterday, well, sort of. A beautiful but chilly ride into work, on a very spring-like sunny morning. Then it howled it down on me on the way back home. Since it was such a nice morning, I cut through Cartbridge Lane and hopped on the cycle track at the back of Ryecroft cemetery, then down into The Butts via Mill Lane nature reserve. The sun was gorgeous, going from hazy to bright blue skies. I stopped in Victoria Park to reflect on how fine the view of Darlaston was, and just what a huge amount of culture was encapsulated in one shot. All apart from that bloody metal tree…

January 6th – I feel one hell of a lot better. The stomach is settling, my sense of taste has returned and I’ve got itchy feet. I solved the latter problem yesterday by saddling up my favourite bike and heading down the back lanes to Lichfield. It was an experiment – still not eating a huge amount, I kept an eye on the energy and took it easy. I needn’t have worried. It was like a spring day. These lanes are old familiars, yet cycling and fresh air was new to me again. I dawdled. I stopped to look. I enjoyed the feel of the afternoon chill. I went to Lichfield, sat in a cafe, drank good tea and ate toasted tea cakes, then cycled home, including Shire Oak Hill without stopping. I slept well, but it’s a start. 

I feel better.

April 9th – Another leisure run out around Staffordshire and south Derbyshire. Plenty of buzzards, kestrels, rabbits and songbirds. Sadly, unusually high levels of roadkill at the moment. Oilseed rape is coming on, and the air is beginning to smell of pollen and green. Blossom is well advanced with cherries, apple and the continuing blackthorn showing well.

April 8th – escape from work and a 45 mile pleasure ride taking in Footherly, Canwell, Hints, Hopwas, Elford, Harlaston, Edingale, Whitemoor Haye, Whittington and Lichfield. I was on fire today – think my cycling legs are returning after winter. I felt very fluid. Probably wont last… The sun was beautifully warm, but have a feeling that April may well be lulling us into a false sense of security.