Tag: wall

March 28th – The return journey was also really enjoyable – the Trent Valley Road was quite congested, and I enjoyed zipping uphill past the stationary cars. I chose to return over Aldershawe, and down into Wall. Taking the track beside the church, I popped into the churchyard to enjoy one of my favourite spots – sitting on the terrace wall between the upper and lower churchyard, contemplating the view of the Roman remains. Well worth a look around if you get chance, and it’s a lovely spot on a nice day such as this.

March 28th – Misty mornings are the order of the week, and I’m so glad that I’m cycling to Lichfield throughout this distinctly summery spell. The days are warm, still and glorious, the evenings deceptively chilly. But the mornings? I see the countryside just after sunrise. Shrouded in lazy mist, golden light and curious patches of grey. I wouldn’t have missed the last few morning commutes for anything. Today, I had time to spare and dropped off Pipe Hill down the back lanes, down over the old level crossing to Deans Slade. Captivating. 

February 18th – I had a blast around Shenstone, Wall and Stonnall, and really blew the cobwebs away. Reaching the tiny hamlet of Chesterfield, I realised how nice it looked at sunset. The architecture here really is understated and gorgeous. It’s a shame that a couple of houses further up the village to wards Wall seem to be unoccupied…

December 22nd – That dreaded time when you have to do Christmas shopping. Taking a run up to Lichfield through the quiet lanes of Stonnall and Wall, I stopped at the hilltop overlooking Lichfield to catch my breath before entering the madness that is Lichfield at Christmas. I noticed Wall village cricket ground looking sad, forlorn and idle; hopefully, now the shortest day has passed it won’t be long until this field sees the white-clad lads out to defend their honour…

November 5th – it seemed quite cold today, although for the time of year, I think it was probably quite mild. The clarity of the day and it’s air made for a gorgeous sunset. It started developing when I was near Stonnall, and just got better and better until darkness fell. I headed at top speed for Wall, where I knew I could get a good aspect. It really was this vivid; I never retouch photos other than the odd bit of cropping or straightening. Theses are straight off the camera.

July 28th – returning from shopping in Lichfield, I drifted back through Chesterfield. This charming, old hamlet sits just south of Wall, on the other side of the A5/M6 Toll. The architecture here is stunning – this massive farmhouse is remarkable. Imposing and solid in that way that only Staffordshire farmhouses can be, I’ve been fascinated by it’s gables and complex rooflines for years. A handsome building.

July 28th – I know I keep returning to this. but it’s rather fantastic. The fields right now are just on the edge of harvest, and are positively glowing with gorgeous colour. Here at Harehurst Hill, near Wall overlooking a wheat field on a fine sunny afternoon, I seem a million miles away from the cold and chills of last winter’s dark commutes. Oh, for an endless summer…

July 18th – A grey day that threatened rain constantly, but didn’t deliver. I’d been out to Leicester and crawled back from Lichfield tired and drained, over Aldershawe and down into Wall. Cresting the hill, I was struck by the view before me of the farmworkers terraces in Claypit Lane, and of the sweet, rolling countryside to the south, now turning a gorgeous medley of golds and deep, deep greens. I then remembered why I cycle.

Some days, you just need reminding.