Recent Explorations

I've been making the most of the good weather recently by getting out and about taking photos in the wintry sunshine...

Saturday 16th Feb: A useful Dudley local, starting with a brief visit to Stourbridge to catch up with Rog. I then caught the 296 up through Amblecote and Brierley Hill to Brockmoor, where I got some useful shots including the local pubs. The outing moved up a gear with a walk down Leys Road, discovering more pubs such as the Woodman and the Samson & Lion, before joining the Stourbridge Canal at Brierley Hill Road. I've enjoyed exploring the canal before, but this section was particularly special, heading down the locks towards Wordsley - I was in my element, taking photos of the locks, the Dock general store, and having a closer look at Dadford's Shed and the Red House Cone. I finished off with a visit to Amblecote Library at the Brook Primary School - the library is set for the axe as part of a review of library provision in Dudley, which is a real shame as its a great new facility having only been moved here a couple of years ago.

Sunday 17th Feb: A busy weekend was completed with a walk around Codsall and Codsall Wood with Dad - the alternative was watching Sheffield Utd v Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, so I think we made the right decision! The walk took us through fields and past farms, and provided me with my first proper look at Codsall Wood - a nice little village, with a church and an intriguing looking pub (The Crown) that could prove handy for a pint should we repeat the walk in summer. We finished off with the return leg to Codsall, climbing uphill on the old parish path to the church, following in the footsteps of countless parishioners over the last couple of centuries.

Friday 22nd Feb: The first big solo outing of 2008 saw me heading across to Birmingham before spending the afternoon around Langley and Oldbury. Starting off with a look at Duddeston Station and surroundings, I dropped in on Bloomsbury Library (a fascinating old building with a light, spacious interior) before joining the Grand Union Canal as I made my way to Adderley Park. From there it was across to Lea Hall, followed by lunch at Glebe Farm (another library visit) and a stroll around Stechford trying to track down the Iron Horse on Flaxley Road. The Langley and Oldbury leg saw me investigating the Titford Canal at Uncle Ben's Bridge, before enjoying the traditional local atmosphere of Langley High Street and heading up through Oldbury to Sandwell and Dudley Station. I took plenty of photos, often battling stiff breezes in the process, and thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of being back out there, revisiting old haunts and discovering new horizons.

Three good trips then, and - whisper it quietly - 2008 is shaping up to be a really good year of exploration. I've set the standard now, and am really looking forward to seeing what my next few outings have in store...