#priorslee

#365daysofbiking Keep trying:

February 24th - And nature, she kept trying thought out the end of my journey. 

Outside the place I was supposed to be an hour previously, this single yellow solitary soldier was the first of it’s cohort to wake from spring on the bank opposite the bike shed.

I felt proud and pleased for it, it’s comrades still in bud.

#365daysofbiking No reservations:

February 25th - In Telford again, crossing the cycleway bridge over the motorway to Priorslee.

The display of blackthorn blossom on the motorway embankment here is always stunning, and always reminds me of a dusting of snow. It’s gorgeous.

One of the nice things about Telford is that the town is full of road embankments, reservations and edge lands where humans rarely go that are an absolute haven for wildlife and biodiversity of all kinds.

An interesting side effect of modern town planning.

#365daysofbiking Waiting to fall:

November 27th - In contrast to the cotoneaster, nobody seems to want the sour, hard crab apples growing just up the way from them.

The leaves on the tree have nearly all fallen, and so has most of the fruit, which lies on the ground rotting, untouched even by foxes.

I wonder how bad the winter would have to be before these were eaten by something?

#365daysofbiking Pining:

October 29th - In Telford again, and just by the Priorslee turnoff on the cycleway is a rather fascinating fungi colony growing from an old pine stump on a bank of conifers.

This fungi grows back every year on the same stump, and I’ve never actually found out what is is.

Any ideas, please?

#365daysofbiking On the turn:

September 19th - The cycleways of Telford are putting on their autumn jacket now and they always look so fine at this time of year.

The green tunnel effect of the track up from the station is gorgeous in summer, but when on the turn, with sunlight through the hedgerows, it’s magical.

You wouldn’t think you were a few metres from a busy motorway. Only concern is watching out for slippery patched of wet leaves looking to steal my wheels...

#365daysofbiking Tunnel vision:

May 9th - I had to go to telford - again, in stead but thankfully fairly light rain. 

Whilst I might be rueing the grey and damp, the greenery appears to be loving it. On the cycleway from Telford Station to Priorslee, the green tunnel has now fully returned after months of barren bare tress and hedgerows.

This is actually a joy to cycle along - alive with birds and insects, different types of tree and blossom and such beautiful, vivid colour.

It is in the most unexpected, urban spaces one finds the most stunning, remarkable beauty.

#365daysofbiking going green:

March 26th - Telford, early morning on a chilly but beautiful day.

The cycleway to the Priorslee Bridge from the station is really greening up now with this season’s new leaf growth. 

In no time at all, this will be a green tunnel again, like it is every year - a real joy to the heart to ride along, alive with birds, squirrels and wildflowers.

Real beauty exists in even the most improbably urban situations.

#365daysofbiking Prolific:

October 10th - The fungus is really coming forth now, but it’s interesting to note that while some species are booming, others I’m used to seem scarce this year.

I’ve not seen many glistening ink caps, puffballs, or fly agaric - certainly not in their usual number. I’ve yet to see my favourite Japanese parasols. this is curious, or it might just be me jumping the gun.

Whilst in Telford today I noticed that there are loads of is paxillus involutus, the brown roll-rim, and these tiny, delicate caps I don’t recognise but may be ink caps of some kind. But none of the regulars.