#365daysofbiking Is it Friday yet?
November 21st – What a week, and it’s only Wednesday.
Another tiring day in Redditch, and it was cold again. Thanksfully there was little wind, but the battle home was real, and took longer than usual I was worn out.
Returning to a dark and ghostly silent Shenstone was as good for the soul as ever though.
Hope this busy period ends soon, I really do.
#365daysofbiking Death throes:
November 20th – In Redditch, just like everywhere else I guess, Autumn is in it’s death throes now. Winter is on my shoulder and it was cold, and on the way home, wet too. It’s not yet frosty, but there’s a characteristic bite in the air that finds every sensitive tooth when you first step out.
Rolling along the Arrow Valley through the park to visit a customer, the river and meadows were still gorgeous. But you can tell it’s ending now. Another week or so and winter will be here.
But also, it’s only a little over a month now until the shortest day. A month. Then darkness will be in retreat once more.
Onwards. I’m ready now.
#365daysofbiking Either end:
November 19th – Working late in Redditch, I found myself waiting for the train homewards in a brightly lit, but sparse station, surrounded by the light of the Kingfisher Shopping Centre and bus station. It really is a most odd place at night. It barely feels like a station at all.
At the other end, leaving Blake Street and slogging up the Chester Road in unexpected rain was very hard, grim work.
I was just glad to get home tonight.
#365daysofbiking Common ground:
November 18th – I visited the really very good craft fair at the community centre and then went for a trundle over the commons and around the cycle trails of Brownhills – including the new part of the former railway between the Swan Pub and Miner Island. It was a lovely, golden, sunny afternoon and although chilly, not excessively so.
The fungus on the common was still showing well, but the star of the walk was the old railway, which the volunteers of Back the Track have been making a wonderful job of. The tunnel effect of the trees that line the old railway cutting is really rather remarkable, especially in the hazy sunlight.
It’s good to be reminded of just how beautiful even central Brownhills can be.
#365daysofbiking Reflections:
November 17th – I returned to Brownhills on the canal and that was much more rewarding. Although the sunset wasn’t anything significant, the reflections on the water and the light around bridges made for some lovely views.
You really can’t beat riding the canals at dusk.
#365daysofbiking Mist opportunity:
November 17th – A spin up to Chasewater after some mechanical jobs on the bike didn’t quite reward me the way I’d hoped: There was a mist settling and I was hoping for either an inversion or a gorgeous sunset – but neither occurred, just a hazy, soft dying of the light.
Even a ride up the former pit mound to take in the view was uninspiring, sadly.
I made my return through CHasetown, and as always, the high street is brilliant at night. Even when there are few people around, it looks busy. I’ll never work that out.
Nice to see also that at Chasewater, the water levels are slowly recovering.
#365daysofbiking Paint the whole world with a…
November 16th – After the old chap who ran the lawnmower shop in Brownhills retired, the shop stood empty for a while, before being renovated. It actually became, in time, an upmarket baby boutique called Nancy & Harlows, which seems very popular, and I wish the proprietors all the best in their venture.
What is a little unusual about the restoration is that as part of it, local artist Rory Northall was commissioned to paint a mural on the gable end of the building. This colourful artwork features the children in his family in age order, each holding a balloon with their initial on, Pooh Bear and Eeyore, a rainbow, blue sky, and the stars and moon. The moon itself forms the seat of a young girl in a pink dress with angel wings, and requires no further explanation.
The artwork is stunning, colourful, beautiful, well executed and popular. And I think it looks best after dark, which is how I caught it on an evening errand ride around town.
A lovely thing I’ve meant to feature here for ages. My compliments to Rory and the good ladies who had the imagination to commission such a wonderful thing.
#365daysofbiking No ifs, The Butts:
November 15th – Riding home again on a late one, I swung a shortcut through the area of North Walsall called The Butts. One of my favourite parts of town, I love the dense, busy terraced streets, frantic rooflines and the way it all looks so warm and homely at night. There are real architectural gems here, and also usually cats, wandering dogs, people taking the air.
Sadly I don’t come here as often as I perhaps should do, as the dense parking makes for many a close shave on a bike, but it’s so worth it fro the brisk, handsome urbanity.
#365daysofbiking When you spot it:
November 13th – One thing I love about working in Darlaston is the architecture of this hidden gem of a town. And the thing I love about the architecture the most?
The constant spotting of things you’ve not noticed before.
Whilst photographing the lovely paper poppy display at the Town Hall, I turned round to look at the handsome, four-square post Office. But my eye fell to an anonymous doorway at the side, and a sign advertising … Darlaston Air Training Corps.
Never have I noticed that before.
On this day, how very appropriate that I should.
#365daysofbiking Not forgotten:
November 13th – Back in Darlaston I paid a visit, as I always do, to the beautiful and moving town War Memorial just near Victoria Park and the Town Hall.
This sombre, noble and beautiful monument is one of my absolute favourites: It is respectful, dignified and in just the right place, surrounded by a lovely, well-tended garden.
Laid out at the food of the plinth and in the surrounding beds were the wreaths, crosses and other keepsakes of Remembrance, and a good deal of time was spent reading their dedications and reflecting on my way to work on this sunny, beautiful, better day.
We will never forget.
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 