Galleries

September 1st – An hour and a half later I was cruising to work down the Arrow Valley cycle route in central Redditch (Part of route 5, the same one that traverses Walsall from last weekend) and the morning was blessed with a mellow, hazy sunlight that lit everything in a kindly glow and highlighted a remaining, soft mist. I stopped to watch it rising of the boating lake. This part of Redditch is rather beautiful, and all credit to the authorities for that.

I often see that guy with the dog running beside his bike. The dog is free and not on a lead, and loves to run with his mate. He looks back at me smugly every few yards – I swear that mutt is laughing. I rarely have the heart to overtake these friends enjoying their morning communion.

September 1st – Autumn continued to tap me on the shoulder as I left at sunrise for work. The cold night air had caused the finest, lowest of mists that hung in hollows, against hedges and huddled round houses. This was truly magical, and I seemed to enjoy it almost alone. I saw few others – if only the people of England could see it. I was very nearly late for my train as I spent too long taking pictures. By the time I reached Four Oaks, the mist had burnt off and this rare beauty passed unknown to the yawning commuters who joined my train, bleary and yawning.

August 31st – Horse chestnuts (conkers) and sweet chestnuts are completely different, but both are growing all around right now. Neither are yet ripe, but there seem to be handsome crops of both. The horse chestnuts here are showing the effect of the leaf miner moth, whose larvae hatch inside the leaf structure and kill it from the inside, turning the leaves patchy brown very early in the summer. The fruit, however, is unaffected and well familiar to blokes everywhere who are genetically programmed to pick up fallen conkers, whatever their age or status. The hard spiky shells are a stark contrast to the ferocious-looking sweet chestnuts, which are actually relatively soft. The Sweet chestnuts have leathery, shiny dark green foliage, too, giving them a slightly continental appearance. Both trees were spotted in Stonnall – the sweet chestnut on the verge at the junction of Main Street and Church Lane.

August 28th – I’ve noticed that social media has been rather quiet on the subject of the Overstrand being demolished since the deed was done. The hated former restaurant, crossing High Street, Walsall, blocked the view of the church for several decades, and we all hated it. The demolition was awaited and much talked about. However, after the work was complete yesterday, I realised something – as did most of the observers – that removal has only highlighted the poor town planning that gave birth to the aberration in the first place. The view of the church is only unblocked from a few very specific angles, and from the church itself, just reveals more concrete.  The view from the bottom of the marketplace is unchanged, with the staggered nature of the street still blocking what would be a fine aspect. We’ll need to wait longer for that to change, as there’s a new Asda shed in the way of that one, amongst other things.

August 28th – Urban riding can be surprising to people who’ve never considered it before. Our towns and cities are surprisingly green, and even concrete jungles can be fascinating places. The panorama of Paddock, from Church Hill, Walsall, demonstrates this, as does the one from under Spaghetti Junction. So much to explore, even in the depths of the city. All joined together by our fantastic cycle network.

August 26th – It’s been a while since I did a gratuitous heron post. Followers of this journal will know that I adore herons in all their dishevelled, scatterbrain glory. I find them comical, beautiful and fascinating. Yesterday, I saw five, mostly around Aldridge and Park Hall. Delightful birds, including the juvenile, which I suspect is the same one recently observed by top wildlife togger Zksby.

A poster on my main blog recently claimed that you couldn’t get close enough to a heron to throw stones at one – a practice I’ve sadly seen some anglers involved in – which must be evidence of an ingrained fear of fishermen at work. I was within a few meters of all of these fine specimens.

August 26th – Depressingly for me, Autumn is clearly now upon us. Elderberries are darkening and the scrubs and hedgerows are thick with them, leaves are turning and haws, conkers, rose hips and acorns are all ripening. Ryecroft cemetery looked particularly autumnal, as did Park Hall. I always find this bank holiday depressing, although soon I will get into the swing and beauty of the season, I always feel like summer is over on this last long weekend. 

August 24th – Urban sunsets can be wonderfully dramatic. I love the outlines of buildings in silhouette, and I’ve always been fascinated by the image and concept of skylines. Taken from an unassuming railway bridge on the borderline of Butts and Reedswood, I spent ages stood like a lemon in North Street snapping the sunset as it developed, much to the bemusement of passing drivers.

August 23rd – The week took an unexpected turn as I found myself working late. Returning in the dark quite late at night, I decided to try some night photography. This normally comes with autumn, but I guess a little practice doesn’t hurt, and I found the activity quite relaxing after a stressful, long day at work.

August 19th – This building, now a ‘Two Ticks’ alcohol warehouse on the Walsall Road, Pleck, has a previous history. I’m not sure what exactly, but the frontage says ‘South Staffordshire Tramways Electric Generating Station 1892’. I didn’t even realise the trams came up this road. Must look into the history here….