June 24th – When I left for work on a decent but grey Monday, I took to the canal with a heavy heart.
It wasn’t long though before something cheered me up – the Walsall Wood swan family, chirruping to each other as they begged for treats in Walsall Wood.
Such a cheerful, delightful family, always under the watchful eye of mum and dad.
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June 21st – Crossing the canal on the Silver Street Bridge, a gang of always-hungry Canada geese could clearly smell my curry.
I told them that they wouldn’t like it, and anyway, they hadn’t finished their algae yet.
That was slightly unfair as there’s more this year for some strange reason than I’ve seen for years. Hopefully the coming hot weather will clear it off…
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June 18th – I’d been alerted by the works security system in the night to movement in the yard on CCTV. When I checked it out, two large hedgehogs were courting in the back near the grass where we have a park bench and some grass for time out and the smokers. I watched them with interest as I didn’t know we had hogs at work.
Coincidentally, at work later the groundsmen came to trim the scrub back behind the premises and disturbed this young hoglet, clearly not one of the lovers from the night before.
Cat treats were sought, and the little prickly one ate a large hearty meal before retreating back to the quiet end of the scrub.
Nice to see them about considering the way the population of these charming creatures is suffering of recent years.
Drivers and workers now have signs and instructions to watch for hogs crossing!
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June 15th – With things online getting on top of me, I headed out at lunchtime on a much better day to find cake, sunshine and solace.
The sunshine was patchy, but lovely and I went to my old haunt of Hints Ford to see it after the rains. Green and peaceful as ever, there was much to see: I was particularly fascinated by the honeybee nest in the tree there.
Hints is as gorgeous as it ever was and I’ve missed it – I must try to get here more often.
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June 9th – To the Canada geese with young, I remain their biggest enemy.
This momma was separated with 2 chicks from her parter and was anxious to rejoin the main brood.
I loved the little guy peering out from behind her.
It would be nice to be able to potter about the canal without being hissed at and pecked for a change…
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June 3rd – Another day, another wildflower appearance, and one that although very common, is lovely if you look closely – the humble bramble, or blackberry blossom.
Very white, delicate almost as if mate from paper, and always creased. Fascinating little flowers hardly anyone pays attention to.
It might be me but they seem early this year…
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May 29th – Encountered just by Clayhanger Bridge, the Watermead swan family are growing fast, and the youngsters are growing in confidence and pottered over to see if I had treats, under the stern, watchful eye of dad.
Mum was grazing the bottom of the canal, pulling up choice strings of algae and offering them to her chicks – who obliged by attempting to copy her. This is obviously ja learning exercise only, as the tiny birds can’t yet reach the bottom.
Lovely to see the family growing and developing so well.
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May 27h – Recovered from the punishing excesses of Saturday’s ride, I headed out again on a grey bank holiday lunchtime for a gentle bimble once more to the west.
Finding decent routes past the dreadful Cannock/Great Wyrley/Churchbridge morass is always the challenge heading out that way and today, I took the canal to Brewood, through Wolverhampton – a lovely run of waterway I often forget about. The towpaths were good, and the only downside was an. encounter with a particularly unpleasant boater at Wolverhampton.
Leaving the canal at Brewood, I rediscovered this gorgeous village and vowed to return when the shops were open. The sun periodically came out and accompanied me north through Whiston, Bradley, Copenhall and Weeping Cross.
A ritual visit to the Wimpy at Milford reloaded the fuel tanks and kept me warm in the steady rain that fell on my way home.
All in all a nice 58 mile ride in lovely countryside.
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May 24th – Spotted on an evening spin out to Chasewater on a test ride following some essential, pre long ride maintenance – great crested grebes on the canal near Wharf Lane.
Unusual to get a shot of these handsome creatures without them diving at the critical moment.
What I’m curious about is despite the huge amount of fish in the canal (and it is alive with fry at the moment) I hardly ever see grebes upon it. Wonder why? Plenty on the main lake at Chasewater, though.
A mystery.
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May 18th – On a quiet afternoon following the busy and better than expected Brownhills canal festival (pictures on my main blog here) I slipped out for a circuit of Brownhills after some mechanical fine tuning.
It was grey, but warm and pleasant with little wind. My favourite tree at Home Farm, Sandhills visible as a landmark across the fields from Catshill is in blossom. Such a joy to see. Bet there will be a good crop of conkers this year.
Further up, the mystery family of swans that appear to have nested beyond public sight near Freeth Bridge, Newtown were resting in a canalside garden – family of 8 clearly doing well. Lovely.
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