February 27th – It was still bitingly cold, but the predicted heavy snows missed us, instead teasing me with light flurries at the same time as bright sunshine. The contrast was beautiful.
In Victoria Park in Darlaston, hungry pigeons flocked to me when I stopped, but it was so beautiful. Thankfully the roads were not too icy, but the cold and wind were unpleasant.
Worth it for the beauty, though.
February 26th – I needed to pop into Walsall Wood so crested Shire Oak Hill on the A461 Lichfield Road. That view at dusk is very special to me and always takes my breath away.
On the distant Black Country skyline, the huge seventeen storey tower block in Dudley, Butterfield Court. Several people have asked what this building is over the years, and recently I checked it on a map. There’s no doubt. over to the left, the twin blocks of Claverly and Clent Court.
Inbetween, the A461 Lichfield Road a snake of light and motion into the dusk.
Have to say, the new layout for the Lichfield Road and Shire Oak Junction has really reduced the peak time queues up Sandhills.
February 25th – A day of continual light snow and odd sunny periods, but it was again fiercely bitter.
Returning from Shenstone Station, I stopped to note than in the daylight at last, my commute revealed the twin church towers of Shenstone – one in use, one very much derelict.
Across the rooftops of the village, that’s a lovely sight and one that every year reminds me that although the weather may be bad, spring and warmth are on their way.
February 25th – I raced back to Chasewater to catch the sunset as I had planned to do they day before, and although inevitably the sunset was not as dramatic, it was very beautiful and calm, but my hands were frozen. It really was very cold indeed.
I noted while there that Chasewater is now about 150mm from full, as it usually is at this time of year. It will be interesting to see what happens this year – if the reservoir is allowed to continually overtop or if the dispute with the Canal and River Trust is resolved and the water is released into the canal.
February 25th – There’s cold weather coming in, and on this splendid day, there was a razor-sharp edge to the harsh east wind that made the journey to the cake stop at Hints hard work, made worse by the fact they mithered about serving me 40 minutes before closing time.
Customers are such a pain in the arse.
The cake and day however, were beautiful, as was the countryside. I saw my first full size daffodils of the year on the old A5 at Hints, and lots of plants are clearly waiting for the warmth to come and spring will be on her throne.
February 24th – As I expected, the sunset was beautiful, but the phone is terrible for sunsets. Galling.
I caught it from Mickle Hills near Lichfield, and as night fell at Sandhills, over Home Farm. It was cold, but gorgeous. However, the frustration at being unable to capture it was real…
February 23rd – The mist had mostly cleared, but it was still very cold, and once more I found myself cycling back from Shentstone to Stonnall is the curious, netherworld twilight that’s neither day nor night that you get at this time of year.
I the cold and against a pretty sharp wind, the lights of the cottages and houses I passed were like soothing beacons in the gloom.
Passing through lower Stonnall my mind wandered to how many barn conversions and adapted houses there are here now: When I was a kid, they were working farms.
Such change.
February 22nd – Frustratingly, I had to pop into Birmingham on my way home, and caught the train back out, but it was gratifying to find myself cycling back from Shenstone in almost daylight, in a misty, lovely sunset.
It’s gone cold again, but this still felt quite spring-like.
February 22nd – Passing through Telford on a flying visit in the morning, I noticed that the worksite for the new footbridge was oddly quiet. It seems test bores have been completed and are now being monitored for effects on the nearby built environment – including the railway itself.
Along the rails are mounted at intervals surveying datum targets which will be monitored – either manually, or by use of an automated theodolite – to see it recent operations are causing any movement.
A fascinating use of technology.
February 21st – Meanwhile, in Kings Hill Park the crowds are assembling for a performance.
A host is gathering and although this crowd are miniature, they rather more charming for it.
They can be enjoyed now, or give it a week or so when this lovely park will be bursting with golden charm. A real spring symphony.
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