August 24th – Very tired, I trundled into work along the canal and spotted this heron hunting from the reed margin at Bentley Bridge.
I still can’t quite believe that these shambling, slightly mad-looking birds frequent such an industrial, urban space – but there are so many and they look so healthy it’s wonderful. There must be clean water and plenty of fish to attract so many.
A joy the morning after a very long preceding night.
February 24th – The end of a very long, hard week. This week, I’ve worked a lot of hours, and found myself fighting the elements and often returning home late and tired.
I don’t mind the work, as I’m lucky enough to really enjoy my job, and being busy at this time of year is good as it makes those last, hard weeks of winter pass quickly.
But right now, as I crested the Black Cock bridge and looked down towards Camden Street, I could do with a break.
I’m knackered and I’m worn out!
February 10th – After a cold and unpleasant morning commute, and subsequent trip into Birmingham during the day, I returned via the Cross City to Shenstone, my favourite of all night time railway station. Except that when I alighted, it wasn’t quite night yet; there were still fingers of daylight on the cloud-cover and the combination of natural and electric night was rather wonderful.
Glad I made it to Friday, was touch and go for a bit…
February 9th – The end of a long day. This week hasn’t been easy and I’ll be glad when Friday ends. The first couple of months of the year are always hard but January was particularly cruel. I’m welcoming the gradual return to light, and the generally brighter, colder weather is much better than the murky damp of last week.
Bu my goodness, work had been demanding of late.
Rolling downhill from Shire Oak to Brownhills with no energy left in the tank, I was exhausted, tired and hungry. I think I need a holiday. Already.
February 2nd – I went into Birmingham late in the day, and 2very tired, I picked my return station to give me best wind advantage.
As I got out my gloves and sorted the lights and things at Blake Street, I watched a second train come through, a blur of light.
Sometimes, that’s exactly how I feel.
January 19th – Another late return, another dearth of decent photographic inspiration. January is always hard, but without daylight it’s a nightmare.
I rolled back into Brownhills at gone 10pm, and stopped near Knaves Court for a photo looking back up the hill. It didn’t work out like I planned. But I was tired and needed food, drink and a hug. This will have to do.
Some days, you wake up, leave the house, crawl across the open landscape under fire, then return, utterly spent. This was one of those.
Christmas seems like an age away now.
January 18th – A long, grey and damp day ended very, very late. Having been at work until late in the evening, I only remembered to stop for a photo as I came back into Brownhills over Anchor Bridge, so I snapped one of my favourite local night scenes.
Despite being very, very tired, the riding was good and fast this evening, and surprisingly dry too. Although this winter hasn’t been wet, the last week or so has been sodden, and I could really do with some bright dry days right now.
So weary of the grey.
January 6th – on my way home, I had to pop into Stonnall, and as ever, the Old Swan pub was lit up beautifully, like a beacon to the weary and homeward bound.
I love how many pubs look inviting at night.
December 16th – Heading back into Brownhills mid evening, the roads were oddly still busy, the traffic through the High Street heavy and challenging. Emergency vehicles came through, perhaps an accident, or perhaps just the normal buzz of life.
I was tired. It had been a long week. But a pleasant meal and evening with workmates had been enjoyable.
A weekend, and three days to go. I just need to hang in there.
December 16th – On my return from work, I hopped on the canal at Walsall Wood, and enjoyed the peaceful darkness as far as Anchor Bridge, where I switched back onto the High Street.
The canal was peaceful, silent, eerie, with only snatches of light in the darkness, my headlamp scything the night as I rode.
But riding in the dark is mentally hard work, and I hadn’t got it in me. For once, the road felt safer, so I took it.
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