December 7th – I had to go to Tipton late in the afternoon, and as I travelled through Moxley I spotted a familiar sight in the gathering dusk that was looking particularly splendid.
I know the urban landscape isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I do think it’s rather beautiful.
December 6th – Still cold, and again, a foggy, treacherous ride: I was at Telford early, and the cycleways were wet and dripping with water. The temperature was clearly rising and everything, every surface was saturated, including me.
I really hope this grim spell ends soon.
December 5th – A horrid day to ride, and even worse for taking photos. There was thick, patchy fog and the air was wet, and well below freezing. Every time I took the camera out, the lens fogged up.
The driving was mad, and as I rode down Shire Oak into Brownhills, I felt glad to be near home, soon to be out of the cold and horrible traffic.
Winter has arrived with a vengeance.
December 4th – The Chase was beautiful and deserted, and from Chase Road, over Stepping Stones and Seven Springs back to Abraham’s Valley and the old RAF Hednesford, I barely saw a soul. It was cold – so very cold, but with parts of the forest at wildly differing temperatures: In Abrahams Valley it was at least two degrees higher than in Sherbrook Valley. In any case, barely above freezing anywhere.
As night fell, owls and deer were busy and the Chase was a sensory delight. Just what I needed!
December 4th – A bitterly cold day, but it was sunny and bright and I felt Cannock Chase calling me – so I wrapped up warm and went for it.
On the way, checking out the condition of the rosy earthstar fungus at Clayhanger Common, I passed this juvenile swan on the canal between the Pier Street and Catshill Junction bridges. This is very probably one of the large brood hatched here in the summer, which have mostly now migrated into the large flocks at Chasewater and Stubbers Green where they regularly get fed.
Still in juvenile plumage, this was a large, healthy bird, clearly used to admirers as it approached me eagerly chattering for food, yet drifted away when the realisation that I was empty handed dawned.
I’ve not seen many swans on the local canal recently, so this was a pleasant change…
December 3rd – Another great Christmas tree – always one of my favourites – it the one on Swan Island at Burntwood. Always with really nice lights, it’s a lovely sight and erected by the local Rotary Club – if I remember right, their membership sponsors it.
A lovely sight that cheered me up like Walsall’s tree did yesterday,
December 3rd – A bit of a down day, really – although the evening picked up well. I headed out just after lunch into a grey and lightless day, to try a new cafe. From there, I dropped into Lichfield as a Christmas Market was ongoing, but customer service left much to be desired; I ended up enjoying Christmas Pudding and custard in front of a wood burning stove at Mabel’s in Curborough which was nice, although the craft centre around it definitely seems to have left it’s best days behind it.
I came back via London Green and noted another once closed pub, the Red Lion, seemed to be doing well. Although more of a restaurant now, it still retains a real ale bar and welcomes dogs.
And it’s beautifully lit in a cold winter dusk…
November 30th – Another beautiful, frosty and glass-hard morning, and again Jockey Meadows captivated me.
This wetland, separating Shelfield from Walsall Wood for centuries is an essential drainage band for the area and a haven for wildlife, as well as being a notified Site of Special Scientific Interest.
And I think Jockey Meadows are at their most beautiful on mornings like this.
November 29th – It’s time. The winter tyres, with tungsten carbide studs in the tread are back on the bike to hopefully prevent further spills this winter. Pumped up hard in normal conditions, Schwalbe Winter roll easily and quietly; let a little air out when icy and they grip beautifully, and run with a satisfying buzz.
Like many cyclists, studded tyres keep me rolling through the winter.
November 29th – A dreamy, icy, freezing morning that turned my breath to clouds of steam and air that hurt the back of my throat, all in glorious, glorious hazy sunshine. Utterly beautiful and it’s made me fall in love with winter again.
About time, too.
Jockey Meadows, between Walsall Wood and Sheffield were gorgeous, from the low mist to the horses grazing peacefully; I noted signs had been put up by local police requesting folk keep an eye out for wildlife crime, which is excellent. We all need to be vigilant.
The beauty continued into Walsall where the canals were the same as they ever were; a quiet, glorious commuting byway.
I’m so lucky to live here and be able to enjoy it.
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