Images

December 31st – Well, another year gone under the wheels and it’s not been a bad year. My health has been generally improving, and we didn’t have a bad spring and summer. The autumn was spectacular, and just this wet, oh so warm and wet winter has been wearing me down.

This evening, drenched and wind-battered at Catshill Junction, I stopped to reflect.

Despite the webbed feet and permanent patina of mud and wet grit, I feel happy I’ve seen it trough – coming very close to four years of cycling every day, and a few months off five years from when I started this journal.

I didn’t get in as many long rides as I planned, but commuting has been consistent, and I’m still enjoying being part of the environment that surrounds me. And all the way I’ve had you guys along with me.

Happy new year to you all – lets hope for a dry new year. May there always be wind at your back, sun on you face and speed in your wheels.

Here’s to 2016, and the return of the light.

December 30th – As I noted ten days ago, the sunset was now advancing from it’s nadir of 3:53pm. Since then the figure – top right on the bike computer screen – has advanced to 4pm. We are winning the battle, the darkness is in regret – we’ve gained seven minutes, and the gains now will only increase. A reason to be cheerful.

I noticed yesterday in Chepstow the sunset was as late as 4:07pm. Maybe I should move south for the winter, like some of the birds…

Note one unchanged thing, though: The device is still spattered with raindrops.

December 26th – The signal box on the preserved railway ay Chasewater Heaths is wonderfully authentic – because up until a few years ago, this signal box stood monitoring the level crossing that existed at Hademore, near Whittington in Staffordshire. 

When that line was expanded to four tracks and the signals upgraded, the level crossing was replaced with a bridge, and the box transferred to Chasewater Railway. I’ve actually spoken to the signalman at Hademore whilst waiting for the barrier out on a ride many times. It’s odd to see it here.

Never went a bundle on the colour they painted it, either; it was always white, not orange.

December 24th – Back on the bike in Brownhills, I had to pop up to Walsall Wood on an errand at tea time. I stopped on Anchor Bridge to try and capture the lights on the new flats there – not brilliant, but it conveys the frenetic last-minute traffic and bright lights.

A little bit of electric night in Brownhills.

December 23rd – After a long weary haul up Shire Oak Hill with a heavy saddlebag full of goodies, I paused at the top to take a picture of the reborn again Shire Oak pub. Refurbished extensively, it’s a different pub to the one that closed here in late summer. Lots of work has been done in and outside. There’s a new, sage-green paint job. I love the exterior lighting.

Most of all, it looks warm, welcoming and busy – it’s good to see a local pub saved for once.

December 23rd – Christmas starts here for me, really – as I finished work today. It’s been a long haul, this Autumn. After a good Indian summer, it all went horridly wrong and it seems to have blown and rained they rest of the way here.

I sped from work on very quiet streets, in a chill, but not cold night air. I had an errand to run to Lichfield, and on my way back, paused on the motorway bridge at Summerhill to try a long exposure like the one I failed at in Pelsall earlier in the week. This time, it worked.

This is a 30 second exposure; note orion clearly visible in the sky. I’m pleased with this, and it feels sort of Christmassy.

Merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful new year to all my readers and friends.

December 22nd – Crawling back up Shire Oak Hill, into a headwind and driving rain. The traffic is very odd this week, as it’s quiet, but has frantic bursts as people return from shopping or whatever. The driving is a tad odd. This week is sort of a netherworld, almost a holiday but not quite; it’s like Britain just has a skeleton crew on.

And still this rain. You know what I want for Christmas? Some keen frosts, some snow and a bloody fine dry spring.

December 22nd – At least now, we’ve had the Solstice and the shortest day – it’s all coasting to spring now, whatever the weather, we still wander gently but surely into the light. My darkness is retreating.

Holding back the darkness in its own way is this Christmassy cottage near Springhill, between Lynn and Sandhills. I had to nip to Stonnall on my way home again, and the rain had made for yet another commuting battle. But seeing the white lights twinkling, and the thoughtful execution made me smile.

A light in the darkness. Merry Christmas!

December 21st – Walsall’s Gala Baths, wedged in-between the Council House, library and the ‘civic quarter’ on Tower Street seem very popular; featuring a good size swimming pool with and additional brine pool and gym. It was clearly busy when I passed mid-vining, and it makes for an interesting night photograph with the curious lighting. 

It’s due a refurbishment soon, to bring the early 60s building up to modern standards. A fine thing indeed, of which Walsall can be proud.