Tag: Walsall

December 29th – I took a ride up to Park Lime Pits where I hadn’t been for ages as I thought the frozen towpaths might be easier to ride than the usual winter quagmire.

Sadly, the profusion of wildlife evident the day before was largely in hiding, although I did fleetingly see a large male fox patrolling his manor. The robins, however, were performing well.

This is a lovely spot that desperately needs the canal towpaths improving. Perhaps some of the money spent upgrading the ones in east Walsall unnecessarily could be directed here instead?

December 19th – It may be deepest winter, but along the cycleways and towpaths there are still tenacious hips, haws and berries clinging on to sparse shrubs and trees providing food for songbirds, who seem to be devouring them now with a passion not shown in many a year.

Grandad used to say that if there was a profusion of fruit, it meant a bad winter was in store. I’m not sure about that, but the birds do seem to be stocking up for something this year.

I wonder what they know we don’t?

December 13th – On the canal near Bentley bridge, the gorse (or is it broom? I’m never sure) is coming into flower and bringing a splash of welcome colour ro a drab, damp landscape.

I love to see this flower – it carries me through winter and reminds me it won’t be long until spring flowers return. It also won’t be long now until the shortest day and once more, the opening out will commence again.

I can’t wait.

December 2nd – Christmas is inescapable now; everywhere there are lights, decorations, trees and the general glitz and expectation of the season.

I don’t mind it to be honest, and this year I’m looking forward to a much-needed rest, so the oncoming festivities are quite welcome.

Passing through Walsall, weary and tired, I noticed the town this year had a rather lovely tree in St Paul’s Square, between the Bus Station and Leicester Street.

It cheered me up no end on a chilly, weary end-of-week commute.

December 1st – Unusual to see cats about more than fleetingly in the cold, dark evenings, but passing through north Walsall I was accosted by this lithe, shiny coated cat who mewed at me softly.

I thing he or she was waiting for their owner to come home and looking for a little fuss. I obliged, admired and ear-tickled as demanded. 

November 29th – A dreamy, icy, freezing morning that turned my breath to clouds of steam and air that hurt the back of my throat, all in glorious, glorious hazy sunshine. Utterly beautiful and it’s made me fall in love with winter again. 

About time, too.

Jockey Meadows, between Walsall Wood and Sheffield were gorgeous, from the low mist to the horses grazing peacefully; I noted signs had been put up by local police requesting folk keep an eye out for wildlife crime, which is excellent. We all need to be vigilant.

The beauty continued into Walsall where the canals were the same as they ever were; a quiet, glorious commuting byway.

I’m so lucky to live here and be able to enjoy it.

November 24th – I’ve been starting early and working late a lot lately, and the tiredness is showing, so apologies for limited subject matter. Things should improve next week.

I found myself returning from a meeting late with time to kill at New Street, and the air of quiet, almost reverent dislocation that sets in there at about 8pm continues to enthral and captivate me. This station swallows large numbers of people and hides them from each other, so even when quite busy, the station appears deserted in places.

This was really feeding my Late Night Feelings vibe: the forced perspective of platforms, the train waiting for the red light to turn green. The solitary lady, perfectly framed by the identifier for platform 8, her face lit in the gloom by the light of her phone.

And then, 45 weary minutes on, Walsall, desolate and beautiful in the same way.

What is it about me and stations at night?

November 9th – A wet night in Walsall, returning later than usual through the area near the Civic Centre, I noticed the fallen leaves were forming a glistening, multicoloured carpet. This area is surprisingly beautiful at any time of year, with usually unnoticed mature trees and wide pedestrian areas, but in autumn, after dark, even with the peculiarly strident street lighting this place is special.

Walsall is a place of many hidden beautiful and unexpected corners.