November 5th – Bonfire night, and by chance I passed the Black Cock pub when their bonfire was well underway. I’ve never tried photographing a bonfire before, and these were handheld shots. It was an impressive burn-up and I was quite pleased with the results.
I’m not really into fireworks, but a bonfire always warms the soul as well as the skin.
November 5th – Wow, in came winter. Cold, but dry and the return of a soft, hazy but harsh morning light that’s actually rather beautiful. I don’t pass down the east end Station Street in Darlaston much these days, but still love it; yes, it’s industrial and not conventionally beautiful; but I love the clashing architectures, the air of busy urbanity and the sights, sounds and smells of a busy, multicultural town.
Just wish they’d fix the potholes…
November 2nd – A good day to find fungi too. After a patchy couple of weeks, there were loads around – shaggy ink caps, earthballs, puffballs, fly agaric and several sorts of russula. Bothe the west shore and Anglesey Basin were good spots.
I particularly liked the age progression of the shaggy ink caps, showing how their curious name is derived.
November 2nd – Up to Chasewater for the first time in a while. The day was more settled, but still with the grey skies, and at times, spotting with rain. Nice to see the cows back on the north heath, and the boaters and water-skiers were enjoying a day on the water.
At the railway, utterly inexplicably, a whole bunch of classic vehicles with no clue as to the reason for their presence; a real mystery.
The water level is still seemingly somewhat low; but the valves are now closed and it’s just a wait now for the rains. I’m not really relishing that thought over much.
November 1st – After Thursday’s blurry rat backside photo, I received a complaint from a reader who’s rat phobic. Sorry, Linda, but I quite like them, and they are a part of our wildlife. I’ll try not to spring rattus norvegicus on you again without warning.
I have suitably cautioned Linda about this post….
Rats and humans have a symbiotic relationship – they are intelligent, quick and scarily versatile adaptors, which has ensured their proliferation and survival, and despite their carrying of disease and filth, it is without doubt that without these guys cleaning up after us the human race would probably have died out by now.
Today I was riding back from the supermarket, and this healthy specimen was just on the towpath near Pratts Mill Bridge in Leamore. Braver than most, it hung around as I took its photo, before it darted for safety into the reeds next to me.
What I hadn’t seen was Mr. Whiskers looking sternly on from nearby. Rat for tea, possibly…
November 1st – Yes, it’s November, and the sun is warm and the landscape still perceptibly green. The weather this year has been nuts. It was very windy, and I was, to be quite frank, knackered. I had some shopping to do so headed out to Pelsall and then up the cycleway and canal to Sainsbury’s at Reedswood. The wind was punishing, but it was a lovely day – and I did get blown home, so it wasn’t all bad.
And yet again, great skies.
Saturday ride on my own and it was so good to be out on my bike after an enforced 2 week lay off due to my vertigo giving no let up until the GP prescribed new drugs. It’s taken 4 days for the drugs to work but thank goodness they are. I now see the world as a reasonably still place once again instead of experiencing it as though very drunk but without having the enjoyment of imbibing!
I set off not long after breakfast and saw the best of the day. By the time I had returned home just a couple of hours later, the clouds were gathering and the wind speed was increasing.
Autumn is showing her colours well now and what a delight to see them. I love Autumn for the colour and also the clarity of the light on a day like today. Another good day to be alive!
On my return to Aldridge along the canal from Brownhills I noticed that work appeared to have been going on along the tow path embankment. All was explained when I got to Aldridge Wharf Bride where lots of large containers are surrounded by fencing and a resident hippy van complete with dog, presumably on guarding duties. Work will be on going until Christmas on the stretch between Aldridge Wharf Bridge and Northywood Bridge and sections of the tow path may effectively be closed during the week when they are using heavy plant machinery.
Windy day for a ride – good to hear you’ve been out, though!
31st October – It’s been unseasonably warm – I rode home at sunset in shirtsleeves. Even still, the sunset seemed cold and autumnal. Catching it from the North Street railway bridge at Ryecroft, the view was lovely.
We’re getting some great skies at them moment, but rarely seem to be in a good position to capture them!
October 30th – If you’re planning to go for a walk or ride, and part of the route involves getting from the canal to Bentley Mill Way in Walsall, the access steps between the two off the aqueduct are now fenced off and inaccessible, as part of the major roadworks that have closed the road for 13 moths to come.
You can still get down to the road from the Darlaston side, but the route is not pleasant and I’m not sure how long it’ll be before that’s inaccessible too.
Take care folks.
October 30th – The morning commute was marked by the wildlife I encountered on the way. As I left home, a large male fox sauntered towards me in broad daylight, bold as brass, taking the air, before diverting over gardens.
At Jockey Meadows, deer were over the back of the woods, but I had no time to investigate.
At Pleck, I was panhandled by the central Walsall swan family of mum and dad plus two. They always come over and noisily demand food. When they realise you haven’t got any, they lose interest and wander off. Aggressive begging is a persistent problem these days.
Right in the heart of urban Pleck, a grey wagtail was an unexpected delight, bobbin around in the canal side scrub. It was a long zoom in terrible light but such a cute little bird.
While I watched the wagtail, a large rat ran along the bumper rail. He was a big fellow. I only just caught his derrière. He looked healthy, though, so the water must be clean… yes, it’s a terrible photo but it does show the breadth of local wildlife, I guess.
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 