Upper – BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking

September 19th – Wow. The windmill at Upper Longdon – converted into a family home – now has sails.

Is this the only windmill in Staffordshire to be in such a condition?

A wonderful thing. My respect to the owners.

December 20th – I came back up through Longdon and Farewell as I always do. It was a chilly day with a crisp wind but the sun was lovely, and the views over the village of Upper Longdon were gorgeous. Good to see the renovation of the old Windmill coming on now, too.

Nearby at Red Hill, the houses clinging to the hill are still beautiful, but stopping to photograph them I noticed I had an audience – one large, disapproving cat and a pair of prize pigs.

A great ride. Really enjoyable.

March 23rd – I love the soft rolling countryside of Longdon Edge, a series of undulating ridges radiating from the east of Cannock Chase to the Trent Valley, and eastwards to Lichfield. There are winding lanes, hidden holloways, little traffic and secluded tracks. Soft woodlands, open fields and beautiful hamlets.

There are few better places locally to spend a springtime golden hour.