Yellow golf course

Just so hot...!
Even the grass at an expensive golf club, like this one at Pattingham, is dry and yellowing at the perimeters.

Porch for decoration

This rather unusual trellis-style porch caught my eye as I strolled around Pattingham village.  It's purely decorative of course, as keeping the sunlight from blazing into the windows is not a major issue in south Staffordshire...
It's an attractive sight.

Parliament's gift

You'll find this little angel just outside the main door of Pattingham Church.  It's not a very distinguished piece, but it does have an inscription on its base: "From the Houses of Parliament. Presented by Mr Geoffrey Max... MP 1934"
But... what is doing out there on its own?  Why is this 'special gift' not carefully mounted inside the church itself?

Hmm. I have a theory.
It's not a very good sculpture. so I suspect that the church wardens were not terrifically pleased to be given it.  What to do with it? - they thought.         Answer: ... oh, just stick it outside, up against a wall!
It's just a theory - but I like it.  Seems to fit the facts...

Brutal bus shelter

Sometimes, it's hard to believe what you see.  This bus shelter in the centre of the otherwise pretty village of Pattingham has absolutely nothing to recommend it.
It lacks any sense of creativity, it is brutal, it is boring.  Quite simply: it was built with no love at all.

We laugh at the Victorians, who probably would have put Gothic curlicues on it, or even the pre-war authorities who would have had it resemble a pastoral cowshed - but at least they wanted public spaces to sustain our need for self-respect in places where we live.
C'mon Pattingham!  At least paint it.

Weather is nuts

The current weather patterns are slightly nuts.  Yesterday was blistering rain, bits of hail, and stormy winds - all culminating in a three-hour electricity power-cut.

Today was all sweetness and light, with a gentle sunshine soothing its way across the landscape.  The daffodils are shooting. Etc Etc.
Inded, this view across the fields at Wrottesley Old Park near Pattingham was balm for the soul.

But ...tomorrow is due to be nasty again.