September 1st – As I arrived home in darkness, I caught sight of a critical milestone on the bike computer: Sunset was now taking place before 8pm. From now until November, the darkest will positively gallop onwards, and summer, with it’s warm and light evenings will just be another memory of a season passed.
How I hate the encroaching darkness.
September 1st – Another evening working late, I managed to pass through Walsall Wood just as the sun was setting behind the pithead sculpture. It’s not a thing I’ve ever been fond of, as many people know, but it does make for an interesting view over the old rail line.
It was a beautiful sky and a lovely evening, but I was far too tired to appreciate it.
August 29th – Here’s an odd one. In the dark, I spotted dark shapes in the field by the canal at Newtown, just at the back of Sandbeds Caravan Park. The shapes were actually six red deer, loafing and browsing the meadow.
I’ve not really noticed them active at night before, all though I do know they move around a lot nocturnally.
Sadly, the flash would reach that far and they were to active to take a long exposure photo. So I I achieved was shining eyes in the darkness.
August 26th – An afternoon off, so a long ride into Derbyshire over to Foremark reservoir.
But on the way, as I often do, I started with a run up the canal, and saw this fellow, taking the air.
Oh, for the life of a canalside cat!
August 25th – North Street, The Butts in steady rain. Late again.
At least it was warm rain, and there was an excellent takeaway to look forward to at the end of it.
I still can’t get used to the tower block with the bizarre white halo. Walsall Housing Group did a fantastic job of refurbishing Austen House, complete with geothermal heating and solar panels – but I do find the aesthetics a bit odd.
August 24th – Another spell of working very, very late. On my return I was tired and irritable, and fell straight into bed. Work is the busiest I’ve ever known it at the moment and balancing everything is very hard.
Despite the late hour, the new leisure centre at Walsall Wood still looked quite busy – it’s been impressive how well used and received this facility has been.
Those people seem to have the work-life balance managed a bit better than me at the moment…
August 23rd – Like an idiot, I left home without my camera today, but on a midday train journey to Telford, I met this lovely old lass off on holiday to Wales with her dad.
Apparently Jess likes a swim in the sea, a bit of seaside fish from the chip shop, and a little beer in her bowl of an evening. And long walks in the hills.
I hope Jess and her dad have a lovely holiday. She surely is a gorgeous dog.
August 21st – Had no idea this was a genuine issue at Middleton Lakes.
I guess that rules out of seeing otters in more urban environments then. Sad but fascinating, I had no idea there was a program to get these wonderful creatures at the new nature reserve.
August 18th – An exhausted return from work very, very late. Nearly finished now, but it’s been a hard week.
As always on a weary ride home, every light was red; but waiting at Rushall Square is never a chore at night – it’s beautiful. Something about the vehiole, sodiums and shop lights combines and is actually quite soothing.
It’s very rare I come home and fall into bed, but I did.
August 17th – Too many cats I hear you cry – sorry, but I adore them. And with the warm weather, they are everywhere; dozing, loafing, strolling, patrolling, stalking or just watching.
When the warm spell is over, they’ll be mostly gone.
Returning home from work this evening, I passed this relaxed guy in Pleck. He was in the same place this time yesterday.
It’s clearly a hard life, but he’s bearing up, best he can.
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 