Images

October 4th – Nice to see as I winched myself up Pipe Hill, that the milepost that stood by the site of the long-gone Royal Oak pub has been moved and restored. I love Staffordshire mileposts – this one, marking the parish boundary as well as distance – had been hidden in the undergrowth a short distance away for quite some time. I’m glad that Staffordshire County Council seem to appreciate the historical value of these marker monuments and are actively maintaining not just this one, but posts across the county. A real link with the past.

October 4th – I had to nip into Lichfield on my way home, and it was as I was heading out of town I noticed this shiny new bike chained to the Guildhall Railings. A Cotic ‘Road Rat’, it’s a bike with a fanatical following. A single speed with disc brakes, it’s made for urban riding, and I loved the shiny leather Brooks saddle. There’s an unusual design feature, though… Initially I thought the forks were backwards, but they’re clearly the right way round. The front disc brake is mounted on the opposite side to the usual one, which puts it on the front edge of the fork. Intriguing, but I can’t see a valid reason.

Nice bike, though, my compliments to the rider.

October 3rd – a few months ago, this was a field of fluorescent yellow oilseed rape bloom – then a field of drying seedpods and vegetation. It was left for a week as stubble, then ploughed, tilled and planted. This field at Stonnall, just off Mill Lane, is now bursting with regimented lines of clean, green shoots. I have no idea what the crop is, probably winter barley or wheat, but the clean, bright green reminds me that even in autumn, the factory floor of the countryside is still in production. No time to waste. I look forward to watching this crop grow.

October 3rd – This is summer’s last gasp for 2011. The air was warm, the sun was out. There was an evil wind, though, and the dying leaves had been stripped from the trees. I was a hard battle getting home, with a big old bastard of a westerly, but here at Little Aston Forge, it was still beautiful. Soon, this lane will be barren and dun-coloured again. The light will change and the nights will close in. Until then, I resolve to enjoy every minute, as long as it lasts, headwind or not.

September 28th – I noticed near Lower Stonnall this huge stack of hay bales being covered for storage. This time of year is all about putting stuff behind for the famers; silage is gently maturing in yards, potatoes lie ready in the earth, their foliage having been removed. Sugarbeet, manglewurzels and turnips are maturing. Huge stacks of bales like this dot the countryside. Last year, there was a shortage of winter food for livestock. I’m sure farmers this year are keen to avoid any repeat. 

September 26th – The indian summer continues in all it’s glorious warmth. Out in Redditch today, I noticed commuters once again in summer clothes and everything seemed a might more relaxed than in the previous couple of weeks. This is surely the last gasp of summer for this year, and the quality of light at eveningtide as I passed through Little Aston was incredible. Here at the entrance to the private hospital, the low sun made for a haunting, golden scene.

September 25th – Meanwhile, a few hundred yards away at the main junction in Shelfield by the old Spring Cottage pub, I noticed this great sight; cycling dad and child out and enjoying the fresh air. I don’t see many child trailers about locally and I was really cheered to spot this. The young passenger was clearly having a ball. I just had to capture it for posterity.

September 25th – We seem to be being blessed with a gorgeous spell of beautiful weather – this warm, sunny and dry indian summer is really accelerating the leaves turning. I noticed on my way home from work that even mundane places – like this normally ordinary spot in Shelfield where the old railway used to run – is rendered gorgeous in it’s seasonal hues of gold, green and brown. Long may it continue!

September 25th – The fungi season is upon us. This fine example of Fly Agaric – the classic white spotted red toadstool – grows near silver birch trees and these were no exception, on the canal bank just by Wharf Lane, Brownhills. Widely considered to be poisonous, they are eaten in some cultures and are considered psychoactive.

After you, Dylan…