Tower hill – BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking

December 28th – It was one of those so cold, but so beautiful sunlight winter days when there was thin ice on the canal and the usual winter towpath quagmire had frozen solid, so I headed to Birmingham on the canal. From Aldridge, via Rushall Junction, Tower Hill, Aston and Brindley Place. After a call at the German Market I went up to Soho, over Sandwell Valley Park and home on NCN 5 via Yewtree and Walsall.

The kingfisher was the best that could be done – the birds are very active at the moment, but they don’t stay still for long! In the sunset photo, that’s St Augustine’s at Edgbaston, as viewed from the canal mainline at Rotton Park. the sky really was that colour.

A beautiful day, and a lovely ride.

October 20th – Returning via Rushall Junction and Aldridge, I passed under this remarkable arch bridge on the Tame Valley Canal at Tower Hill. Named Freeth Bridge, it’s huge, big and awe-inspiring. It’s a fine example of the architectural surprises Birmingham tends to reserve for people who explore the city. This sight never fails to inspire admiration for those who designed and built it. I’ve still yet to pass over the top, I must get round to that sometime.

April 15th – Tower Hill on the way back to Walsall, and this bridge, it’s height and elegance always take my breath away. This is another place where, but for the distant hum of traffic, you’d never know you were in the inner city.