Tag: village

February 10th – I had another reason to be in Shenstone, which meant making a call in the village itself, which is always charming after dark – even the hideous clock looks better when you can see the face illuminated rather than the horridly crude brickwork. I loved the shop in Main Street which was almost Dickensian, and the Railway pub, which always looks so warm and inviting.

I stopped, and thought about it: but where I really wanted to be was home. So I put the camera away, and rode off wearily into the wind.

October 30th – In Wall, I noticed these pumpkins for Halloween which cheered me up no end on a dull afternoon ride.

I love to see carved pumpkins – or swedes, like we did when I was a kid as we never saw anything as exotic as a pumpkin – and these brought a splash of colour to the quiet village.

Nice to see kids doing something creative. I hope they had pumpkin soup with the contents!

July 23rd – Pleased to see again that the walnut tree, appropriately situated in the village of Wall, has a great crop again this year. It’s the only such tree I know of locally, and the only one I’ve ever seen that reliably fruits.

A few more weeks and I might grab a couple of handfuls of the still green nuts to try pickled walnuts. Always fancied giving them a go.

February 19th – Down in Stonnall on an errand, I noted the pubs of the village, the Royal Oak and Old Swan both seem to be doing well now. Both have been closed previously, with questions over their future, but both with new landlords, they both seem to be doing well now, despite being barely 150 yards apart.

September 12th – Another great ride on a sunny, beautiful transitional day. In some ways it was late summer, but in others, autumn, and there was a keen wind, but the loop around Whittington, Rosliston, Coton in the Elms, Lullington and Harlaston was gorgeous.

The cyclamen at Lullington were breathtaking, and having to stop for a flock of ducks in Coton was lovely – especially since once clearly had a bit of Elvis in him. 

Really enjoying being back in the saddle for more leisure rides. The weather is lovely at the moment, too.

August 30th – A grey day, but I needed a ride. It’s been a few weeks since I had a good one, what with the cold and everything else. Conditions were pleasant enough, and it was warm with a little drizzle.

I went out to Whittington, and back across the heath to Weeford. I forgot how nice Weeford is, and what a curious little marooned village it is: built as a demonstration of his architectural prowess by noted ecclesiastical architect John Wyatt, it clings to a hillside in rolling countryside bisected by the A38.

The late summer colour was nice, and the roads were peaceful.

I need more of this in my life.

February 14th – Down in Stonnall, it was a wet and murky night, and the lights of the two pubs in the village shone out like homely beacons as I rode past. The Royal Oak is quite different in character and clientele to the Old Swan which is I guess the reason the two survive, although both have felt the cold wind of commercial pressure in recent years.

Tonight, glancing in as I freewheeled past, both seemed reasonably full, which can only be good news. Decent pubs make for good communities.

February 10th – Working late, and a late journey home through Walsall Wood to drop something off. I love this small but busy High Street at night. Still retaining a village atmosphere, the lights, pubs and takeaways make it seem welcoming and pleasant.

I’ll be so glad when the light nights come back. I think I’ve had enough of the darkness now.