As is so often the case, an early January jaunt took us to Rutland Water for some much needed fresh air and renovation.
It was a raptor paradise before we even made the shores of Rutland with Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and over twenty Red Kites all notched up before we even got off the coach.
We briefly stopped on the shore of Rutland for a chilly scan across the choppy waters but apart from a couple of swans, some grebes and Wigeon, there was little to raise the temperature.
Once on the reserve, we set up the day with excellent views of Great White Egret and Caspian Gull from the Visitor’s Centre. We then hide-hopped along the northern shore, collecting the usual span of water birds, including the ever-appreciable Smew.
The Great White Egret was particularly restless, and turned up at a couple of other locations on the reserve throughout the day. Already with its elegant feet under the table, it won’t be long before this bird becomes a regular Brit like the Little Egret.
A very enjoyable day ensued with a leisurely stroll along the lagoons and water meadows with the low sun smacking us between the eyes. My new Zeiss binoculars made me wonder how I ever saw anything through the previous pair before.
The fell-walking has been a bit sketchy of late and this month’s treat took the shape of an Urban Heritage Walk around Wolverhampton.
Here’s Brain Pringle with the trailer:
We’ll spend some time in the City Centre visiting buildings and artifacts, discovering Wolverhampton’s history and characters then head south into Blakenhall for a dose of industrial and engineering heritage, before heading to Chapel Ash for lunch at the Clarendon Hotel adjacent to Banks’s Brewery. In the afternoon we’ll head along Tettenhall Road and then through Western Park to Molineux Stadium before returning to mop up some more history in the City Centre.
Be prepared for some backward and forward time travel, as the sites don’t follow a chronological order. Also be prepared for some stretches of boring grotty inner cityscapes, but at least there are no stiles or climbs!
Brian took us on a great little meander through our neighbouring city, unearthing several little known facts and asides during our wandering.
Here are some of those little known facts about Wolverhampton that may be worth repeating here:
Natives of Wolverhampton are called ‘Wulfrunians’. The city is named after Lady Wulfruna, who founded the town in 985AD and was the granddaughter of Ethelred I. The name ‘Wolverhampton’ derives from ‘Wulfruna’s town on the hill’ (heaneton meaning town on the hill).
Wolverhampton was given city status along with Brighton and Hove, and Preston in December 2000 when the Government declared all three ‘Millennium Cities’.
Wolverhampton was the first town in Britain to introduce automated traffic lights in 1927 in Princes Square at the junction of Lichfield Street and Princess Street.
The Sunbeam motor car, built in Wolverhampton, became the first vehicle to hit 200mph when it broke the land speed record in 1927.
The surrounding area near Wolverhampton became known as ‘the Black Country’ when industrial pollution covered the area in black soot in the late 19th century.
Wolverhampton’s most famous sporting son, footballer Billy Wright, was the first player in the world to earn 100 caps playing for his country. He married one of the Beverley Sisters, and became the Posh ‘n’ Becks of his day.
The gold and black colours of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC originate from the city’s motto ‘Out of darkness cometh light.’
A Polish recluse, Josef Stawinoga, lived in a tent on a city roadside for 30 years prior to his death in 2007.
Old Josef even has his own Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B3zef_Stawinoga
Not the Polish recluse
As usual, There was only one way to finish off the month – our regular week in the sun, courtesy of the Canary Islands. Tenerife beckoned and we answered the call.
As usual, I got sunburnt the first day.
If you multiply Eat, Drink, Play seven times, that just about nails the holiday.
Here’s some photos – the first looking remarkably similar to January’s blog of last year.
Never a bridge too far
La Gomera
Pete absolutely hating the sun
…and a bunch of selfies…
jacey666 