July 9th – It was an unexpected delight this evening to note the flowers along the Ring Road in Walsall, at the Arboretum Junction. Walsall Council always does this really well, and the lovely blooms are a joy to the heart.
My thanks to whoever plants and tends them – a lovely thing indeed.
July 9th – One of the best things about sunny weather is it makes yo pay attention to shadows, and the way sunlight passes through things you might not ordinarily notice. Today, leaving Tyseley station, I noticed the supporting steelwork for the old glass canopy on the station front. There can be no doubt that when it was erected, this station was in a prosperous area, and was a grand affair. These days, the heavy, hand-wrought and hot riveted scrollwork is incongruous on a down at heel, suburban station.
It speaks of a better past, and is rather gorgeous.
July 8th – I need your help, folks. This crop is the one that started under polythene at Home Farm, Sandhills, in the spring. It seems to require constant attention, and is very lush. It doesn’t look like spuds, or any other vegetable I can think of.
Can anyone ID this for me, please? Cheers.
July 8th – Locked to railings outside Moor Street Station, Birmingham, Monday morning. A genuine antique delivery bike from Norwich. Rusty, barely roadworthy, but clearly well used and loved. There’s padding in the box for whatever is conveyed, and the shine on the oxidised crank suggests regular use. I’m utterly baffled.
July 7th – Passing through Polesworth I noticed this fine, but decaying building. Not a handsome edifice by any stretch, but impressive, foursquare and imposing all the same. The chimneys alone are gorgeous, never mind the finials, cupola and that incredible door. I had no idea what it was, other than a school, and made a note to find out when I got home.
It turns out it’s the former Nethersoles School, latterly a community centre, and now derelict, awaiting planning to turn it into apartments. The latin above the door – to my broken understanding – says ‘School for paupers and girls’ or similar.
It’s a remarkable thing, and so sad to see i falling to ruin. I hope something can be done with it soon.
July 6th – back to Brownhills in a scorching, still, languid golden hour. By some trick of the light, the High Street looks busy, and beautiful. The canal rendered gorgeous in the sunset.
I’ve waited a long time for this. Long may it continue.
July 6th – I was really pleased yesterday to note that Chasewater’s mini beach, at the northern end of the dam, was back in use after so many years dry. This sand spot on the shore has been like visiting the seaside on sunny days for local kids for generations. It’s nice to know that if Barmouth or Rhyl are too far to go, there’s a little bit of beach life close by.
Beautiful.
July 4th – I returned to Walsall during a glorious golden hour. The town was largely deserted, and I cycled through an empty marketplace. St. Matthews, up on the hill, looked as imperious as ever, but despite the demolition of the hated Overstrand, the view of the grand old lady of Walsall is still wrecked by far inferior architecture. But get close, and she still beguiles…
July 4th – In Birmingham in the early sunny evening. The city was at ease with itself. In the warmth, folk milled around languidly, and many hung out on the grass in the grounds of St. Philip’s Cathedral, affectionately know as ‘pigeon park’ to kids or a certain generation. People sunbathed, read, chatted and just relaxed.
I love seeing the city like this.
July 3rd – Bird’s Foot Trefoil – which previously I’ve erroneously referred to as Vetch, sorry – is a beautiful plant. As kids, we used to call it ‘egg and bacon’ due to the crimson and egg-yolk colours. It’s growing in abundance around the canals and meadows of the area, and here near the new pond at Clayhanger. The delicate little flowers keep the bees buzzing, and are a constant delight.
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