Galleries

September 29th – The brightness increased at Tipton in the early morning, where I came across this wonderful bed of flowers. I don’t know what the blooms are, but they are absolutely gorgeous, a riot of colour and an absolute joy to stop and appreciate.

A few bees still pottered between the beautiful colours, and the scent was lovely. Not entirely what you’d expect when you hear the name ‘Tipton’.

I love the Black `country, I love this place with all my heart. And this is an example of why.

September 29th – A long morning involving a trip to Telford with a stop off at Tipton on the way. I set out in a damp, windy landscape, but there was clearly a better day on the way and the clearing weather lifted my grim mood.

Passing Grove Hill on the Chester Road at Stonnall, the sky was neatly divided between day and night, clear and cloud, bad weather and good.

And the light, clear, fine day was winning.

September 28th – Although not as dramatic, the following sunrise was also beautiful as I rode through Mill Green. I love the shape and drama of pylons and radio masts at any time, but against a good sky they always look fabulous,

It was a good ride into a challenging wind, which is developing an all too familiar chill at the moment.

The year really is closing in fast now. 

September 27th – It was clear when I left work that there was going to be a good sunset, and it reached it’s peak just as I hit Brownhills. An absolutely stunning sundown, I haven’t seen the like for a good while – the sky appeared to be on fire, with the dying red light reflected on the underside of mackerel clouds.

A great benefit of the shortening of the day is riding home in sunsets like these.

September 26th – On my way home in the road in the backstreets of Walsall, I spotted these large acorns in unusually hairy cups. Not having seen the like before, I assumed there were some kind f insect gall.

Looking it up when I got home, these are actually the acorns f a turkey oak, and quite normal for the species. I’ve never seen them before, and they’re quite alien after the familiar gnarled, knobbly normal acorn cup one usually sees.

An interesting oddity.

September 25th – I spotted this handsome cat loafing in a field of stubble at Hademore,near Whittington. He was some way away, and the camera brought him nearer. His antics were fascinating; one moment he was hunting, on point, then having a scratch, then dozing.

I watched him for ages – a lovely cat clearly enjoying his territory. `I think he was every bit a star and someone must love this puss very much.

September 25th – A windy, wolfish day with lots of sun and a few showers. Riding wasn’t so great – I was still short of energy, but on the other hand it was beautiful to see the rainbow form over Hammerwich just after the rain passed through.

It’s been ages since I saw one this vivid.

dry-valleys:

At Sutton Common, a Cold War communication tower, following the lead of Jeff Kent, a legendary local authhor whose guides to hills in Staffordshire  and Cheshire have launched me on so many walks. This is my first-ever visit to Sutton Common and Croker Hill, on which it sits.

Croker Hill is an older sibling to Bosley Cloud- (2) is the Cloud from Bosley Reservoir, start of my walk, (3) is the summit of Bosley Cloud in September, (4) is Sutton Common from Bosley Cloud- you can just about see it behindd me- and (5) is Bosley Cloud from Sutton Common. Also visible are (9) Jodrell Bank and (10) Shutlingsloe. 

In Jeff’s opinion, Sutton Common “blights the landscape for a long distance around” but I disagree, I love (this may be a male thing)  “collecting” communication towers, and after my visit to Fen Park last month I’m definitely pressing on to Pye Green, which I’ve never visited.