Galleries

October 29th – Just near the Post Office on Victoria Road, Darlaston, stands the War Memorial. Quite simply, it’s one of the best I have ever seen.

Contained in it’s own, peaceful gardens, it’s a sombre, quiet and lovely place with a wonderful sculpture. I often stop here and have five minutes rest and reflection.

I’ve seen a lot of such remembrance art before, a lot of it in much larger towns than Darlaston. I can honestly say none has matched this one. A beautiful, sombre thing indeed.

October 29th – On the edge of Darlaston’s industrial area between Bentley Bridge and the town centre, there sit this curious pair of cottages, on the corner of Gladstone Street and Station Street. Under the paint and facing, these are rather old, note the great chimney pots on the cream one.

I get the feeling there’s a story to these places. Wonder what it is?

October 28th – Coming into the town centre from the Green, I passed this old building in Church Street I’d not noticed before – shame it’s not in better condition. Does anyone know what its original function was? Tramway power houses normally say so. Perhaps it was a depot or workshop. Under the horrid primrose paint there’s some interestingly ornate brickwork there.

I was also intrigued by the corner townhouse adjacent ‘Favourite House’ – what a curious name.

October 28th – Autumn seems to be lasting forever this year. The wind was still punishing, but it was a lovely warm commute with sunny spells. I took to the canal to get get to Darlaston, and hopped off at Bentley Bridge. The canal looked lovely in the morning brightness, and Darlaston Green could have made a postcard.

I’m normally down in the dumps at this time of year when the clocks go back, but it hasn’t really seemed to trouble me this year – perhaps because the weather is so good.

October 27th – A quieter, and altogether more successful hunter was just up the waterway at Bentley Bridge. Initially quite well hidden in the reeds, I clearly put this young grey heron off his fishing stroke too.

I love herons – haven’t had one here for a bit. I still find it remarkable that I now see them in the most urban of areas. A real signifier of environmental improvement.

October 27th – Ah, Mr. Calico… we meet again. This male cat (he is male, and unneutered by the looks) was hunting mallard on the canal in Pleck as I spun through on my way to work. I’ve seen him a few times, always in exactly the same spot. He talks to me and curses me for disturbing his sport (although the ducks were honking at him and causing a drama long before I got close).

He always moves high up on the embankment from where he can look down on me in safety, then meows long wailing cries, always seeming like curses.

Somebody loves that lad. He’s in fine fettle. And good voice.

October 26th – I popped up to Shire Oak Park on the way back, which was also looking good in its autumnal jacket. It was looking less green, but it was pleasant and tidy as it usually is.

On my return to Brownhills a splash of colour caught my eye on a verge on the Chester Road; beautiful vivid red rosebuds, and by Anchor Bridge the ink caps were growing well.

Autumn is a bit of a curate’s egg sometimes.

October 25th – I spotted them by chance as I shot down Church Street in Chasetown – the were on the mown grass in the little park next to the school. Four red deer ladies, out for their constitutional, and looking maybe for the odd carrot.

The were awfully tolerant and posed for me happily for ages. They’re clearly very used to people being around.

The look in good health, and fine condition. So good to see them after not seeing any for ages – they’re beautiful animals.

October 24th – The sky had cleared when I alighted from the train at Shenstone, and there was a most curious sunset.It looked beautiful, but I felt so wet and cold that I couldn’t be bothered to chase after it. I just wanted to get home.

Riding up Main Street in Shenstone at dusk, I was reminded how the village always looks better at night.

This was my last commute of British Summer Time; this time next week, my journey will be in darkness. It’s that time of year again.It’s been an excellent Summer, and although I’m sad at the passing, I’m ready for this now.

Bring it on.