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365daysofbiking Lying low

December 28th – People have asked me where the long rides out are this Christmas. There’s an answer to that – the weather isn’t great, just warm and grey, and I’m doing something I’ve needed for a while – getting some rest.

So, limited to errands, local trips have been the order of the day. This evening was a simple spin around Brownhills, as somnambulant and lovely in the cloak of darkness as ever.

I’ve resisted taking time to rest for years. That has clearly been a mistake…

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#365daysofbiking Warm welcome

 

December 27th – I returned via Aldershawe and Wall, for no other reason than to avoid the grind of Pipe Hill. As I was coming through Wall I noticed how warm and cosy looking the Trooper pub/restaurant looked.

A pub that was closed for a while about a decade ago, it’s rebirth is a real success story and one I thought I’d never see: but it’s gone from strength to strength and always seems busy when I pass.

It’s a wonderful, welcoming landmark at night.

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#365daysofbiking City of light

December 27th – A late afternoon visit to Lichfield was in order to sort out some post Christmas buys. The place was oddly quiet and I expected it to be much more busy than it was.

The weather was warm, very grey and overcast but rather warm, which seems to be the order of the day for the winter so far.

The lights of the city however, were as bright and beautiful as ever and I thinks it’s a place I’ll never tire of photographing in low light.

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#365daysofbiking Darkly atmospheric

Boxing Day – A late run out just to test a bike build was a great opportunity to catch a slightly misty atmosphere at Chasewater.

The shot off the north end of the dam was pure chance and took loads of attempts to get a usable image; the M6 Toll shots were far easier.

I love the way the LED lights highlight the mist.

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#365daysofbiking Oh flock

Boxing Day – Another day pressed for time, so another short but fast run up the canal. Intrigued to see that there is a flock of several hundred sheep grazing on what I think might be kale on Home Farm, Sandhills.

I don’t think I’ver ever seen livestock on this land before.

I wonder if the sheep are resident on the farm now, or if the crop has been sold for grazing?

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#365daysofbiking Slipping the reins

Christmas Day – Just lately my deer magnet has been very poor – I hadn’t seen deer close enough to get a decent photograph for weeks if not months.

Luckily, I spotted these fine reds in the scrub at Chasewater North Heath just by the bypass. I gently ushered them over the trail and back into the park – for all the good it will do.

We don’t have reindeer wild here, but the reds made a special Christmas treat. Good to see them.

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#365daysofbiking A fun guy

Christmas Day – A Christmas Day ride was a tradition long before I started 365daysofbiking – there’s nothing better to prepare for a big meal than a good blast on the bike.

Today, my options were confined as my time was limited, so I opted for a fast run up the canal to Chasewater. On the way, I noticed this fungus – tramates of some sort I think – on a felled tree by the M6 Toll.

Unusual to find it in midwinter looking so good. Possibly a sign of the unusually warm season so far.

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#365daysofbiking Downtown lights

 

Christmas Eve – Returning to the High Street the lights looked good and it was surprisingly busy for late on a Christmas Eve.

Brownhills has seemed a lot busier this year – I think it’s the new housing – and going for a coffee the cafe was quite busy too. It’s nice to see a little recovery.

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#365daysofbiking Sweet James

#365daysofbiking Sweet James:

Christmas Eve – Last minute tasks took me to Brownhills, and up to Ogley Hay.  As I passed St James Church the night sky was deep blue and the lights were on as people prepared inside the church for the evening service to come.

I’m not Christian and I’m not religious, but I love church architecture – it fascinates me, and I like Brownhills’ parish church – despite the atrocious extension, it’s a lovely, working class design, built in 1850 and still going strong.

Merry Christmas folks.

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#365daysofbiking Soul food

December 23rd – Wet but happy, with a pannier full of Christmas goodies, I called in at Curborough Craft Centre to visit an old, old cake cafe stop. Mabels, a favourite of the late, greatly lamented Maurice Purser, can always be relied on for great food and the best, stodgiest deserts.

Today it was a hearty ploughman’s lunch followed by pear and almond tart and custard.

Wonderful food, and fortifying for the wet, hard ride home.

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