December 18th – A sharp, cold evening and rather dramatic sunset. Not having long, I headed out to Hammerwich to check out the views. Climbing up Meerash Hill, the ice was thick on the road, and the going on the ungritted country lanes of South Staffordshire was very treacherous. The tricky conditions were worth it, though, and rewarded me with some great pictures of the sun setting over Brownhills, and Hammerwich Church and it’s former windmill. A delightful place.
December 10th – A cold, windy day. I headed out at sunset to explore an autumnal, wet Clayhanger Marsh. Gorgeous as ever, the sunset was quite good over Ryders Mere. Wildfowl were calling and I disturbed the marsh’s old dog fox in the process of bagging a little something for supper. I see that old fella almost every time I come here – we’re familiars, and respect each other from a distance. We often share contemplative moments together. If only he could talk…
November 29th – hopefully, I’ve finished with the train commuting for a while and am now working in the Black Country for a few weeks… I miss these commutes. Today though, was hell. I was headed due southwest into a very strong, insistent headwind. It took 65 minutes to do a journey that usually takes only 45. I was fully loaded, and at full tilt downhill under Navvie’s Bridge on the A461 Lichfield Road I was topping a heady 8.5 mph. The weather was grim and overcast, but the rain didn’t arrive until mid afternoon. Setting out home after the rains, the sunset was incredible but very, very short. Here near Wednesbury, the light glistened off the wet roads and made everything precious.
November 27th – The sunset was also good at the old railway bridge over the canal near the old cement works in Brownhills. This is an odd bridge, and now conveys national cycle route 5 from the canal below to the former level crossing at Engine Lane. It has odd, reduced level parapets and a very scant guard rail, but has been well-known to generations of Brownhills Kids. Here, looking west, it could have easily been a summer evening; not a soul about and just the sound of ducks and coots in the reeds. A peaceful spot.
November 27th – today, I have a cold and didn’t feel too much like exerting myself. I finally forced myself out as the daylight was dying, and after a surprisingly energetic thrash over the common, I headed north over Chasewater. The moon – not quite new, I think, but quite slender – and clear air made for a decent sunset. It’s been a long time since I went round Chasewater in the dark, and I forgot how exhilarating and beautiful it could be.
November 23rd – Conversely, at sunset I was in Telford with six minutes before my train came in. I spotted this sunset skyline and just had to crack out the camera and gorillapod. Telford – as many will be aware – is not a place I’m terribly fond of, but on occasions, it throws up surprising beauty. It was again warm and clear, and the urban lighting and harsh surfaces made for an oddly iridescent scene. Magical.
November 5th – it seemed quite cold today, although for the time of year, I think it was probably quite mild. The clarity of the day and it’s air made for a gorgeous sunset. It started developing when I was near Stonnall, and just got better and better until darkness fell. I headed at top speed for Wall, where I knew I could get a good aspect. It really was this vivid; I never retouch photos other than the odd bit of cropping or straightening. Theses are straight off the camera.
October 29th – Today found me at Chasewater again, and once more I was here at the dying of the day. Coming over the motorway bridge at twilight, against what was a rather evil wind, it threatened rain; rain which was clearly already falling elsewhere. This peculiar little rainbow was visible for 20 minutes or so due east. A lovely splash of colour on a rather dull day.
October 18th – against the odds (and it has to be said, against the forecast) the great sunsets continue. Battling a westerly wind on the way home, I’d left the train at Shenstone. Winching myself along Lynn Lane and past Fighting Cocks, the sky grew ever more beautiful. I didn’t mind the wind as long as I had views like this. Magical.
October 14th – Another stretch of canal, 70 minutes later. Had to nip out to Walsall, so swung home on the canal from Sutton Road to Leighswood. The sunset was remarkable, but sadly, no herons today. I didn’t see a soul, and as the sun sank over Walsall, the familiar chill of autumn returned to the air. A gorgeous end to the day. 30 miles in two hours punctuated by the most gorgeous scenes and views. It doesn’t get much better than this…
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