May 30th – Just as I came down Church Street in Rugeley, the sun came out. After weeks of blustery wind and thin sun, all of a sudden it felt like summer again. The breeze was warm, and scented with pollen. Some great chimneys here, it’s a lovely street with some fascinating architecture.
May 30th – As the weather broke, and the rain began to ease, I headed out for Cannock Chase. Crossing the common, then up through Norton, Heath hayes and Hednesford, I stopped to note this poor, unloved old pub. For students of mining subsidence, this is quite a good one, and there are’t many straight edges to the building.
Another victim of corrosive social change.
May 29th – I wondered how they replaced high-voltage lines with minimal disruption, one look at the pylons near Stockfields, between Hints and Canwell, answered my question.
I pointed out a couple of weeks ago that this transmission line was undergoing maintenance, and I noted today that there are now pulleys fitted under the insulators on the cable hangers. Presumably, the old line will be attached to the new and pulled through by a power winch. Slow, but steady. I’d love to see that in action.
May 28th – It’s good to see a narrowboat using the moorings at Brownhills – you don’t see that too often. This one has been here for a few days now, and it’s bringing a splash of real colour to the canalside.
I noted today that all the market stalls have been removed from the marketplace, and the market seemed to be closed. Another failure?
May 27th – Riding home along the canal, I noticed that in the field behind Sandfields, in the land between the Canal and the old Watling Street, there were some ewes with quite late lambs. They looked happy and well cared for, not noticed them before. It’s unusual to see livestock in the fields around Brownhills, so this is quite a novel sight. I’ve no idea who they belong to.
May 27th – I’m developing a casual interest in the architectural quirks of chimneys. It’s something I’m going to cover on my main blog at some point soon, but in looking for stuff to photograph while out on my bike for this project, I’m noticing more and more things about the world around me. This is not trivial, I’m absolutely serious.
There is something about a nice chimney that completes a house – a roof looks bare without one. This example, on the derelict and abandoned Pear Tree Cottage pub in Albutts Road, Brownhills West, was clearly built to do the business. If only a buyer could be found to breathe life into this lost pub once again.
May 26th – Today was wet, blustery and miserable. I shot out late afternoon to get some supplies and fresh air. One thing about the recent showers is that they’re really making everything green up a treat – here Brownhills Parade was wearing it’s splendid summer emerald overcoat.
May 26th – On a windblown canal near Catshill Junction, I noticed the swans had two very young cygnets. These cute balls of grey fluff were relaxed and happy to be fed by their parents, who didn’t show any of the usual signs of swan aggression towards me. Not sure if this is the pair from by the Watermead Estate or the former mill at Catshill, but it’s nice to see. I do find myself wondering why we’re no longer seeing the broods of 8 and above as we did a few years ago, though.
May 25th – returning with the wind behind me, I came through King’s Hill Park, to call in at PC World on my way back home. King’s Hill Park was lovely, hilly and surprisingly secluded.
PC World, as usual, was dismal, overpriced and annoying. ‘Twas ever thus.
May 24th – How not to lock your bike. An everyday workplace cycle rack. A brand spanking new Ridgeback Storm bike, bought on the excellent cycle to work scheme, secured with a £35, good quality lock. What can possibly go wrong?
The bike is only locked to the rack by a £40 rear wheel, held in by a quick release. Time taken to liberate the rest of the bike? Seconds. In these racks, a cable round the rack is essential, or lock the wheel to the bicycle frame. See Sheldon Brown for tips on locking.
I hope the owner doesn’t work in engineering. Top marks to the cycle chic lady with the single speed Africa Bike, though…
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