As is usual, today I visited Erdington Bike Jumble, the yearly tat-bazaar for cyclists that always takes place the first Saturday in March. Sadly, today’s event clashed with a much bigger bike beano at Long Eaton, and the jumble wasn’t quite as humming and busy as formerly, but it was still great.
It’s always good to meet old pals, shoot the breeze and debate the merits of quick release hubs over a cup of tea.
As is customary, afterwards I headed into the city for a spring spin. I scooted over to Witton Lakes, and then down through Brookvale Park and onto the canal at Gravelly Hill. Into the city for a cuppa and something to eat. After picking some shopping up, back out via Bordesley and Salford Junction to Minworth, off the canal at Drayton Bassett and back home via Canwell.
The weather always seems kind for this ride, and it always feels like spring. If you follow in my tyre tracks, the canal from Salford Junction to Bodymore Heath is terribly wet and muddy. Take a mountain bike and a sherpa. It’s bloody grim.
As ever, for more of this stuff, check out my 365daysofbiking journal.
The light was ace at Brindley Place
Drayton Bassett sunset
Bodymore Heath in the golden hour
Changing architectures
Reminiscent of a Victorian seafront
Erdington: how fine is this parade of shops?
The crocusses of St. Pauls Square
Middleton golden hour
In now Hill, the canal feels like a secret space
Really liking these. This was in Bradford STreet
The domestic geese at Brookvale Park are every bit as hostile as their brethren at Chasewater
I’m not sentimental about architecture, but The Cube is hideous. There, I said it.
Panoramic Witton Lakes
Geometry at Tyburn
The ghost of Cliff Richard stalks here: search the blog for ‘Take Me High’
Brookvale Park lake
Beautiful flowers in Centenary Square
Early daffs in St. Pauls Square
Smurfitt Kappa – recycling our paper
Gas Street Basin: sometimes, this doesn’t feel like Birmingham any more
These were stuck to the footpath in Gas Street. I have no idea.
Surface tension at Witton Lakes
The majesty of St. Pauls: always greater than modern pretenders
Gateway to the south from Gas Street
Priapic design.
Canal Colour at Middleton
Erdington – when they knew how to build a pub
Pochard at Witton Lakes
Every time I pass this I want to straighten the finneal
Gravelly Hill
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Great pics again bob, love to see these galleries of yours. Thanks
Hi Bob,
I love these pics,the sunsets are spectacular and the ‘golden hour’ at Bodymore Heath is magical! Thank you.
Ann Cross.
Hi Bob, love the pic of the shops in Erdington that once included Tower Cycles, fond memories of hanging around there when the late Trevor Bull was the mechanic (great bloke); a proper bike shop! Wish I’d made it to the Erdington jumble this year.
All the best,
Martin