July 24th – Despite the change in the weather, the feline population of North Walsall continues it’s current predilection for sleeping outdoors.
This pair of sleepyheads, clearly related, were dozing in a small front yard in The Butts, enjoying the air.
I loved that the black one never once stirred, and the tortie has fallen asleep with it’s tongue out and is regarding me warily through just the one eye.
Oh, for the life of a cat…
July 24th – It seems the Walsall stenciller is at it again.
Since street artist made such an art of stencil painting, we’ve had a few copycats spring up locally, but today I noticed a new one on the over bridge to the disused canal arm in Pleck, Walsall.
A small, red person, as might be featured on a warning or keep Britain tidy sign. The image was fresh, there was still overspray on the gravel underneath.
I have no idea what this is about, but I shall be looking out for more… I think it’s rather cute.
July 23rd – A somnambulant, headache-grey day followed a night during which a work call out had prevented me getting any sleep at all. I slipped out early in the afternoon to sunshine and showers from a shifting, occasionally azure blue, occasionally black sky,
I drifted up to Chasewater, and on the way took a look at the crops in Home Farm fields at Sandhills. Both the oilseed rape and wheat are near ripeness now and I bet as soon as the rain dries off, the harvesting will be game on.
And so the year and season advances a notch.
July 22nd – The rain was insistent, but warm and pleasant, too. I took the long way home from the supermarket via Stonnall and enjoyed the cool, damp petrichor scented air, and it’s gilding effect on the flowers and foliage.
At Lower Stonnall, the willowherb, glistening with fresh crystal raindrops, was fascinating and beautiful.
July 22nd – I managed to slip out late afternoon, intending to check out Chasewater, then over to Hints via Burntwood and Wall, then maybe to Hopwas and Whittington and back home, calling in for shopping along the way; sadly the rain came at Wall and I went to the supermarket from there instead.
At Chasewater, though, these two larking labradors fascinated me. They tussled and played on the wakeboard pier and had a great time, clearly the best of pals.
A lovely thing to watch.
July 21st – At Birchills on the Walsall Canal, an odd one. Someone has cleanly cut off the balance beam on one of the lock gates. I have no idea why they might have done this, and the indications that this isn’t the normal vandalism are clear.
This was severed by a machine in one cut with no messing around. Whatever power tool was used, it was wielded with even pressure and the cut is square. clean and smooth.
I’d love to know what’s going on here.
July 21st – I was stuck behind a very slow-moving car in The Butts, Walsall, when I happened to look to my left, and I noticed I was being monitored from atop a tall garden wall.
This young, stripy cat – what beautiful markings it has – meowed at me and clearly wasn’t to be a new friend. I was intrigues by his sharp features and think there must be some rex or siamese in him somewhere.
After telling me off extensively, one last glare then he jumped down into the garden that lay over the wall. I could still hear him yowling as I rode away.
A charming, if unwelcoming fellow.
July 20th – Sad to see something seems to have happened to the building off Victoria Road in Darlaston that was once the town fore station – the roof appears to have collapsed.
I really don’t know what’s gone on, but the building seems to have been made fairly safe, but there’s extensive damage to the timbers, and the tiles have mostly been stripped.
Whilst this is a historically important building in Darlaston’s history, I’m a bit torn over the cost of repair – it will certainly cost a lost to sort out, for what is, effectively, an unused garage. But I do feell concerned for it’s future.
A sad sight.
June 19th – Spotted in appallingly bad light way off near the back of the bean field at Jockey Meadows, I noted this small herd of red dear, three females and two of this year’s fawns. I was pleased to see them as I haven’t seen deer up here recently.
They were skittish, and probably displaced by the recent arrival of the cows. But they looked healthy and content and it’s good to see the little ones thriving.
Still can’t get over the fact that I see these magnificent beasts on my way to and from work. How lucky we are to have this on our doorsteps.
June 19th – Last week I noted in passing that we were between flowering phases in Kings Hill Park. No sooner did I say that, then blog came the grounds maintenance crew and replanted all the beds and planters.
And as usual, they look thoroughly gorgeous.
My compliments to the people who work so hard here. You’re all stars.
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