#365daysofbiking Tinges:
September 15th – Nipping top Shenstone and Aldridge on errands, I stopped on the railway bridge to survey the classic view over the rooftops of the village, to note that autumn was coming here now – and not just the accelerated leaf drop of the leaf-miner affected horse chestnuts, either – but tinges of red and brown in most of the trees.
Soon this will be a riot of colour, and then bare trees again to close out the year.
Where has 2018 gone?
#365daysofbiking Night comes in:
September 14th – The golden hour continued into dusk, and pottering down the canal by the Clayhanger overflow the sunset was stark, harsh and beautiful.
I love this view, it’s one of my favourite local views and I’ll never tire of it.At the end of a long, tiring week it was a great pick-me-up.
#365daysofbiking The softness of the hour:
September 14th – Passing through Walsall in the late evening, in a rain-soaked golden hour. Just after a heavy downpour, the light was lush, soft and suffused with gold.
The merest hint of a rainbow over St Matthews reminded me why I love this town so much.
#365daysofbiking The rise and gall:
September 12th – I’ve been watching the robin’s pincushion gall I found in Darlaston mature as the weeks pass by. I’m interested to see if it shows any sign of being vacated by the insects who grow inside it, and also observe how it decays, to find out what’s under the ‘fur’.
It’s grown redder, and the fur seems to be dying away, with a cavity open on the upper side. I wonder if the wasps have left?
These creations of parasites – unique to wild and dog roses – are absolutely fascinating and I’ll be keeping an eye on this one as autumn draws on.
#365daysofbiking Great Scott:
September 11th – The former Scott Arms pub in Kings Hill, on the Darlaston-Wednesbury border has been derelict for many years now, but at the beginning of the year, I spotted signs of life here. I assumed it was to be converted into a house of multiple occupation – a building divided into tiny bedsits for the really down on their luck – but no, it’s actually being renovated and is becoming a Chinese restaurant.
It’ll be handy for when I’m stuck working late I guess….
Good to see this building saved from the usual derelict fate of these place. I wish the new business well.
#365daysofbiking Foxed:
September 6th – Spotted late on a grey afternoon, just on the canal near Clayhanger.
A fox trots purposefully, but unconcerned down the canal towpath, nearly on a mission but not in the slightest bit bothered he might be seen.
#365daysofbiking I’m not sold, personally:
September 5th – Car adverts are getting bizarre, like this one spotted in Walsall.
I don’t envisage a ready supply of fuel for thirsty SUV’s being a feature of any post-apocalypse world.
What a load of cobblers.
#365daysofbiking A bit Woody:
September 5th – Good to see the singular Walsall Wood cygnet christened Woody has survived and thrived. This couple haven’t historically had large clutches of eggs and I was concerned this year to see just the one chick, late in the season.
It has however thrived and is now nearly the size of it’s parents, and they remain a tight family group.
A wonderful thing to see.
#365daysofbiking Soul or food?
September 4th – Calling in at the Co-op in the old Spring Cottage pub in Shelfield on a late commute home, deciding what takeaway to get. Chips, pizza, Indian or something for the soul?
I settled on a curry.
#365daysofbiking All misty wet with rain:
September 4th – A very wet commuteto work along the Goscote Cylceway on NCN 5 was actually far better than I would have expected, as the rain on on the hedgerows and berries lit them up and made them precious.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a hawthorn harvest this heavy – from a distance the hedgerows and trees appear red.
Not a bad ride, despite the weather.
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 