August 20th – Leicester again today, and South Wigston station – usually a place of vague, unfocused hatred for me, continues to surprise and delight. Last time it was roses and foxgloves. This time, sweet peas, I think. Just growing wild on a patch of unloved scrub, wildflowers and weeds being beautiful, for no other reason than to attract bees and make me realise what a fine country I live in.
A Monday morning delight to the soul.
August 4th – I pottered up the canal to Chasewater, the end destination being Morrisons to get some shopping in. On the way the weather was temperate, and pleasant, but generally dull. Passing through Anglesey Wharf, we stopped to admire the flowers, which all seem to be showing in late summer purples now. Willowherbs, buddleia, heathers, even some kind of sweat pea (I think) as Alice Walker said ’…just trying to get noticed..’. I reflected on what the old familiars of this place, the coal-loaders, miners and boatmen would make of this scene now; the peace and quiet, rabbits lazing on the heath and grasses and shrubs dotting the former wharf. Once this was a humming, filthy coal depot. Some things are decidedly changes for the better.
July 30th – One of the colours of a summer at it’s peak is the deep purple of rosebay willowherb, or old man’s beard. Familiar to many due to it’s floating, fluffy airborne seeds, it occupies hedgerows, thickets and waste ground where it grows in profusion in the poorest soils. Here, at Lynn Lane in Stonnall, it’s well in bloom now, and will soon be seeding. For now though, this delightful flower is alive with bees, wasps, butterflies and all manner of winged insects.
July 21st – Summer is rolling on, and the Himalayan Balsam had started to appear. This prolific, invasive species loves damp, marshy conditions like riverbanks, streams and wetland, and crowds out anything it grows near. Reaching 2 to 3 metres in height, it bears a pretty, white and pink flower, and has a familiar metallic scent that’s quite unpleasant. It’s lovely to look at but an environmental menace, quite unlike the roses I witnessed further down the canal in central Rugeley, growing on canalside waste ground. Aren’t they gorgeous?
July 20th – Summer arrived. I went to Aldridge to get some documents scanned, and I travelled up the canal. If you’ve not been lately, take advantage of the good weather, and stroll up the towpath. The wildflowers – already magnificent this year – are now in top gear. Beautiful. Celandines, brambles, orchids, vetches, worts and many I can’t identify. All there, just trying to get noticed; and accompanying it all, the buzz of honeybees stirred by the warmth of the sun.
At last, I am in England, in the summertime. Bliss.
July 19th – Despite the rain and grey days, the wildflowers are showing really well this year. I’ve noticed a huge variety, and they seem to be lasting a long time. I’m interested in the vetches and trefoils, but most of all, I’m intrigued by the stuff I don’t recognise, like this purple wonder, growing on Clayhanger Common. Any ideas?
July 14th – I returned home via the Goscote Valley cycle route, Pelsall, and Ryders Mere. Ryders Mere really is gorgeous right now, a lovely pool surrounded by the most delightful meadows. Wildflowers are here in abundance, everything from orchids to clovers, vetches to hawkweeds. It’s a thoroughly delightful place.
Now I’ve seen it from afar, I’m even less liking the paint job on Humphries House. Oh dear.
July 7th – I noticed this plant – a climber of sorts – growing over a hedgerow near Hammerwich. I’d been to Lichfield, and was taking the scenic route back. I don’t recognised the flowers or foliage. It’s quite pretty in an understated way. Anyone got any ideas?
July 4th – In High Summer, every year, a sad but necessary thing happens. The verges on the major country lanes are trimmed. This is for visibility, and ditch maintenance purposes, and while the loss of a crop of wildflowers is sad, I recognise the necessity. I was amused, however, to note that on Lynn Lane, Lynn, near Stonall, the man (or woman) who went to mow, couldn’t bring themselves to execute this clump of poppies, and had neatly mown around them. Love it. Do something beautiful, every day…
June 23rd – I’m not sure what this is. There’s a shock of it growing on the common at Brownhills, just near the ditch to the south of the A5 Watling Street. I’m seeing lots of similar flowers in hedgerows, but they tend to be at the white/blue end of the spectrum. These are really bold and impressive. Anyone got any ideas, please?
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 