Tag: Walsall

August 4th – For another sign of autumn’s looming shadow, you can do little better than windfall conkers. This large, pristine example was found on the Lichfield Road, near Walsall town centre.

I rescued it before it got squashed by traffic, then feeling foolish on my realising there was absolutely nothing I could do with it as the shiny fruit within the spiky shell wasn’t ripe yet. 

Like most male humans, I’m programmed not to pass by a conker in the road, and throughout autumn I’ll have pockets full of them to no end whatsoever.

There was nothing else to do except feature this find on 365days…

July 31st – A good commute for cats. Remember the two sleepyheads I found in The Butts last week? Well, today they were up and about and feeling sociable.

The calico is a lot more elderly that I thought, but is a lovely-natured thing for sure, as is the younger black and white lad with almost red patches in his coat.

Pleased with my attention, he rolled, rubbed and purred his way into my heart.

The other black and white puss was a canal cat in the gardens of Barrow Close on the edge of the canalside at Walsall Wood. He seemed to be someone who knew what he was doing.

Lovely animals that brightened an otherwise dull commute.

July 27th – Pottering along the canal on the way to work through Bentley Bridge, I noticed this juvenile heron; I can’t tell if it’s the same one I spotted a few weeks ago, but it’s clearly hunting well. 

Quite bold and determined I wouldn’t disturb it’s fishing activities, the bird kept an eye on me but didn’t flinch when I stopped to take a photo or two.

I love these mad looking birds and like the deer, I can’t believe we have them now; it’s a sight I marvel at as I’d never have seen these on the canals when I was a child. A real sign of environmental improvement.

July 25th – The great feline sleep out continues, this time again in Scarborough Road, Pleck. This puss clearly wasn’t enjoying the scrutiny as it dozed on a shady garden path.

I’m unclear why Scarborough Road is so densely populated with cats – like The Butts, in summer it’s a rare journey where passing through either, I don’t meet one, yet other places where I’d expect to similarly find them – Shelfield, Darlaston – there never seem to be any around.

A curious mystery.

July 24th – Despite the change in the weather, the feline population of North Walsall continues it’s current predilection for sleeping outdoors. 

This pair of sleepyheads, clearly related, were dozing in a small front yard in The Butts, enjoying the air.

I loved that the black one never once stirred, and the tortie has fallen asleep with it’s tongue out and is regarding me warily through just the one eye.

Oh, for the life of a cat…

July 24th – It seems the Walsall stenciller is at it again.

Since street artist made such an art of stencil painting, we’ve had a few copycats spring up locally, but today I noticed a new one on the over bridge to the disused canal arm in Pleck, Walsall.

A small, red person, as might be featured on a warning or keep Britain tidy sign. The image was fresh, there was still overspray on the gravel underneath.

I have no idea what this is about, but I shall be looking out for more… I think it’s rather cute.

July 21st – At Birchills on the Walsall Canal, an odd one. Someone has cleanly cut off the balance beam on one of the lock gates. I have no idea why they might have done this, and the indications that this isn’t the normal vandalism are clear.

This was severed by a machine in one cut with no messing around. Whatever power tool was used, it was wielded with even pressure and the cut is square. clean and smooth.

I’d love to know what’s going on here.

July 21st – I was stuck behind a very slow-moving car in The Butts, Walsall, when I happened to look to my left, and I noticed I was being monitored from atop a tall garden wall.

This young, stripy cat – what beautiful markings it has – meowed at me and clearly wasn’t to be a new friend. I was intrigues by his sharp features and think there must be some rex or siamese in him somewhere.

After telling me off extensively, one last glare then he jumped down into the garden that lay over the wall. I could still hear him yowling as I rode away.

A charming, if unwelcoming fellow.

July 18th – Today, the older cats of Scarborough Road and north Walsall were not apparently pleased to see me. I haven’t seen either of these characters before – but the lounging black and white clearly had no time for me and my nosiness, while the black-brown bigtop bruiser was watching me carefully.

It’s reassuring to see neighbourhood watch duties taken so seriously – at least, while the weather is so agreeable.

July 13th – I met this affectionate lady on the footpath near The Butts in Walsall. She was patrolling the footpath, so I stopped to say hi. She busily sought my attention, rubbing herself on the bike, as well as my legs and feet. Impossible to photograph properly as she couldn’t keep still, she mewed softly and me before following another chap on foot over the road where she promptly rolled over and invited me to tick her tum.

A lovely puss. I like how she’s wearing eyeliner on her left eye…