The year lies dying in this evening light

In late October and early November 1906, Edith wrote relatively little about nature but more than made up for it with poetry. One of the poems, translated from German started ...

The year lies dying in this evening light ....

In the 21st Century we defy the seasons and the dark with bright lights and night life.  On the 4th of November, I cut through the Symphony Hall and over the bridge that crosses the New Mainline canal.


New Mainline Canal and Brindley Place - 4 November 2015

In the photo above, you can see part of Brindley Place, named for James Brindley, the canal pioneer.

New Mainline Canal looking towards Broad Street.

From the bridge, I could see down the canal towards Broad Street. If I went that way, I would find myself at Gas Street Basin, which I had visited previously. Wanting to see something new, I headed in the other direction.

The Malt House pub.

There was a bit of a bite in the air and the Malt House pub on the opposite side looked warm and inviting. I hovered indecisively unsure whether to continue my walk or cross the narrow arched bridges to the warmth of the pub.  Then I heard the jazz.  Over the bridges it was.

Turning into the Oozelles Stret Loop.

As I was crossing, I heard the unmistakable sound of a narrow boat and watched while its crew skilfully steered it round the junction between the New Mainline and the older Birmingham and Fazeley canal before disappearing into the Oozelles Street Loop.

Open Fire in the Malt House pub.

Then into the pub for an enjoyable meal of fish and chips in front of a traditional fire and the sound of live jazz music.

Back to Brindley Place.

After leaving the pub, I walked back along the canal and found another boat - this time moored at the canal side.

Central Square Fountains

I crossed the canal again, and made my way inland to Central Square in Brindley Place.  As I photographed the fountains, I noticed some trees with yellow leaves.



Trees - with "Autumn Fire"

At the end of October, Edith quoted William Allingham:

"Now Autumn's fire burns slowly along the woods,
and day by day the dead leaves fall and melt,"

Fountains and Autumn leaves - not quite ready to fall and melt.

 

Covered in Red and Yellow Leaves

In her entry of 14th October 1906, Edith talks about going for a walk in Catherine de Barnes ...

Hips made a great display all along the route, especially on a wild piece of common land we crossed, covered with Gorse and briars. I noticed great numbers of Finches here, feeding on the berries. Some of the Gorse bushes were in flower, these with the bushes of scarlet Rose-berries, and trailing Blackberry briars, covered with red and yellow leaves, made fine patches of colour in the bright sunshine.

Exactly 109 years later, I spent an early hour exploring the rather more manicured surroundings of the NEC.

14 October 2015, Red Oak.

Red Oak and flags at the NEC.

The most spectacular colour comes from the foreign tree varieties planted amongst the NEC gardens.  The leaves of a Red Oak gave me a hint of the spectacular "Fall" that Americans enjoy.

Flags and maple leaves fluttering in the feeble breeze.

Although the flags were barely stirring in the early morning breeze, leaves from the maples beyond were already being blown away.

Native lakeside trees showing golden tones.

Looking back towards the lake, most of the native trees were still green, highlighted with subtle yellows and golds. Nearby a Great-Crested Grebe was dipping below the water and bobbing up to feed her well-grown youngster.

Resort World, Pendigo lake.

I spent a little more time at the lakeside and enjoyed seeing the ripples on the blue waters before going into work.

Back to the Midlands

In her post for Sept 25 1908, Edith says:

"Goodbye to Scotland and back to the Midlands".

Birmingham International Airport - 23rd September 2015.

On the 22nd and 23rd of September 2015 I stayed at the Birmingham Airport Holiday Inn. This time I was lucky and got a room in the "Executive" area, with a good view over the runway.  There would have been plenty of people coming back to the Midlands from all over the world including Scotland and I saw some of their aircraft touch down.

Birmingham Airport - 22nd September 2015.

In this night shot a row of conifers - just right of centre. is picked out by the lights - in daytime they were often visited by Goldfinches.

Control Tower.

One sure sign that autumn is well on its way is the start of the football season. On my way to the lift, a manager swept by with a tray of breakfasts. On the way down I met a group of young footballers, who play for West Bromwich Albion. They were looking rather lost - but fortunately I was able to send them after their food and went on my way. While waiting for the bus in the hotel car park, I noticed a number of very pretty sports cars and wondered if they belonged to the footballers.

Great-Crested Grebes - 2015

I'm not so sporty but I did enjoy taking part in the company's "Walk round the world", in which groups from each office took a walk at lunchtime. From the Birmingham office, we visited Pendigo Lake at the NEC. While we were there, I spotted a Great-Crested Grebe feeding a youngster.

In her next post, for September the 30th, Edith mentioned signs of Autumn ...

"Some of the Beech Trees are quite bare ... Weather still continues perfect. Hot sun during the day, cold and clear at night, mist in the mornings".

My photos from the same time last year show that Birmingham was basking in sunshine. This year, after a late heatwave, there were thunderstorms.

Bolete fungi - 15 September 2015

109 years later, I started spotting some hints of Autumn at about the same date. Under some confers, at Trinity Park I found some Bolete fungi.