Galleries

March 10th – Again, the barriers around the southern dam works were breached at the basin and to the north end of the compound. I see the dredging has started, but the drying lagoon on Chasewater shore has been razed, so no quite sure what’s happening there. The question, however, as to what you do when your dredger is shafted has been answered. Still out of the water at Ogley Basin, the original machine is clearly still crippled, so it would appear a mini-excavator is lifted onto a workboat, and work continues. Odd that a brand new, seemingly little used dredger amusingly called ‘Hamster’ – has been languishing in Ogley Junction for at least two years. If this is a symbol of the way the newly reorganised British Waterways charity works, we’re in for interesting times…

March 10th – Oh dear. Humphries House and Severn House, the last two extant tower blocks in Brownhills have been extensively renovated, and have been reclad to provide better insulation and to prolong their life. It’s been a bit of a mystery what colour they were going to be – they were originally skinned in an off-white media. It seems our question has now been answered; Humphries House is to be a vivid blue and Severn House a glowing pink. Does that mean one will be for fellas and one for the girls?

Have to say, that’s bloody horrible. Yuck.

Mach 9th – Every time I visit Lichfield, the bike racks seem fuller and fuller. Granted, there aren’t many about the town, but these on the corner of Dam Street and Market Street are always fully populated. Cycling seems popular in the city these days. Sadly, this must make for an upsurge in cycle crime, as I noticed in Wade Street, within sight of the Police Station. The importance of locking both your wheels in these days of quick release cannot be overstated – otherwise, you’ll end up coming back to a bike like this. Beware, fellow cyclists.

March 9th –  A day off, and an afternoon pottering around Lichfield. I only noticed this one in recent months, it must be normally quite well hidden. Cresting Pipe Hill, over the old crossroads, but not quite at the new island, stands an empty, decaying house. I don’t know who owns it, or why it stands empty, but there’s a notice up pointing out that it’s not for sale or rent. Which, like the houses in Footherley, near Shenstone, is pretty sad. Houses should resonate to the sounds of life – there is nothing sadder than an empty house, particularly in a time when homelessness has increased 14% in one year. The owner should be ashamed.

March 8th – At the far end of the Tame Valley Canal, bisecting the M5/M6 interchange at Ray Hall, it meets the Birmingham and Rushall Canals and the somewhat inaccurately named Rushall Junction. This is a wonderful spot, even though it is surrounded by the roar of traffic… Maybe because it’s so tranquil. To the west, the twin spires of Wednesbury are clearly visible along the valley, and to the south east, the inviting cycleway to Birmingham, which soon diverges from the canal and cuts through the green lung of the Sandwell Valley nature reserve. To the north, the canal is arrow straight through the nine uphill locks to Longwood Junction, from where it winds it’s contour route through Aldridge and Walsall Wood to Brownhills. I love this stretch of canal, and just wish the towpaths were better. In places, they are in awful condition, and in damp conditions can be a real trial.

March 6th – Back in Darlaston today. Riding up the hill from Walsall town centre, I noticed the Old Clinic in Bradford Street. Clearly vacant, it seems to be doing nothing except acting as parking-clamper bait. I know nothing of this building, or its history. But it is rather handsome. I love the leaded lights. Wonder who owns it? Let us hope that Walsall’s Municipal Arsonists haven’t spotted this one yet…

March 5th – I returned early for a change, but absent mindedly got on the wrong train at New Street. I had intended to catch a Walsall service, and come home with the wind more of less behind me, but stuck on autopilot I got on a Lichfield train instead, hopping off at Blake Street. Battling an evil headwind all the way back, it was otherwise a lovely afternoon, with bright blue skies, fluffy white clouds and a certain emerald hue coming into the countryside around Stonnall. I noticed clumps of early daffodils, particularly along Mill Lane near Ivy House Farm, and the views were clear and lovely. Spring, I’m ready for you now.

March 3rd – The traditional thing after the bike jumble is to have breakfast at a local cafe, and then drop onto the canals under spaghetti junction, to explore Brum. Today, the sun had come out, and I started by exploring Erdington, a place I’ve always loved. In this one suburb there is a huge amount of splendid architecture, and the streets are peopled by a diverse mix of people of a whole range of races. Still villagey, Erdington has a fantastic atmosphere. Later, I hit the canal to the Jewellery Quarter and central Birmingham. The day was gorgeous and, after the drizzle of the morning, spring was back. Man, I love this place.

March 3rd – Other people’s bicycles. One of the interesting things about the cycle jumble is that it’s a meeting of the old tribes. Tourers, utility cyclists and the fixie wonks. It’s nice to note that the majority of the that crowd these days are young kids – probably students. I watched a tragically hip group park their battered, well-loved steeds in a pile and drift into the hall. The young lady of the group rode what must be a hand-me-down; beautiful 70’s bright red city bike with original Pifco chrome back light, and a giant Miller front. Now, that’s authentic. My favourite is the rusty, battered fixie in the last couple of images. A girl exuding more style than it was reasonable to expect on such a morning rolled up on it, parked and hopped in. A flip-flop hub, she was riding it on the fixed side. Class.

March 3rd – Out at 9am on a wet, drizzly morning for a regular fixture that symbolises the start of spring for me: Erdington Bicycle Jumble. It takes place in a church hall, just near the station in the Birmingham suburb, but I always cycle there via the same route; through the posh estates of Little Aston, straight down Sutton Park and out through Boldmere. Arriving just after 10, wet and bedraggled, the dismal weather is soon forgotten. There’s plenty of junk to rummage though, plenty of old frames to dream ‘what if…?’ over, plenty of memories. The chance to catch up with seldom seen old cycling acquaintances and to have a laugh and a cup of tea with fellow bargain hunters. As one wag pointed out on a local cycling forum, the age of the punters neatly matches the age of the stock. There’s huge cycling experience here. I usually spend less than a fiver. But it’s always money well spent.