Life itself is the best game there is to play. You as a character get to explore the uncharted lands of the map.
Yesterday, I took the train from Tile Hill all the way to Wilnecote, a town in the south-east of Tamworth.
Dosthill Park
After getting off from the station, I made my first stop at Dosthill Park.
The land you see around you was originally owned by the Peel family and later the Tolsons, as part of the Dosthill Hall estate. The Georgian mansion has since been converted to a number of apartments, but would then have been the family home, where a spa was linked from the hall to the River Tame. The name Dosthill was most likely derived from the former inhabitants of the parkland, as the old meaning of Dosthill is deer on the hill. – From the post on the second slide
I didn’t see any deers yesterday. But I did see the cool decorations made out of copper wires by the local residents.
Bus Stop Outside Tamworth Co-op
It was a hot day. Because I only bought two cut slices of pineapples and a packet of Borough Beef Broth, I decided to some water after leaving Dosthill Park.
I like taking photos of the various murals, graffiti and paintings scattered across the streets.
And look at this drawing of a deer with beautiful antlers right at the bus stop outside the store. If you look at the eyes, it seems he is a bit weary. Perhaps he has seen too much of the atrocity of the world.
They say the eyes are the window to the soul. I can’t agree more.
St Paul’s Church
I kept trotting onwards, until I came across St Paul’s Church. According to Wikipedia, it’s a Grade II listed parish church in the Church of England in Dosthill, Staffordshire, England.
I like going to these local churches in different villages. By and large, they are replicas of each other. That said, each of them gives off a nuanced vibe if I pay close attention.
The angular structure always imbues a sense of might and strength, somehow.
Before The Lakes
My itinerary was to make my way through Middleton Lakes and finally arrive at Kingsbury Water Park. Before that, I was strolling through the fields. There were the occasional abandoned structures over yonder. I’d always make sure to get closer to see what’s inside.
Every man-made construct eventually gets overtaken by Mother Nature. It’s a timeless and gentle reminder of what we really are.
Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return – Genesis 3:19
Along River Tame and European Long Distance Path Two
Connecting Kingsbury Water Park and Middleton Lakes are the River Tame and the European Long Distance Path Two.
The former is about 95km long, spanning from Oldbury through the Black Country and Birmingham before joining the River Trent near Alrewas.
The latter is part of a larger 4,850 km (3,010-mile) walking route that runs from Scotland through England, Belgium, and Luxembourg to the south of France.
Along the way, I picked a few uber succulent blackberries next to the lake. I passed the Gravel Pit Bridge before being barked at by what I presume to be a husky. It was tied to the boat on the canal.
When I reached Canal Pool, an old man sitting on the bench told me he stopped collecting blackberries because of the car fumes. He calls them ‘diesel berries’ now.
In my eye, they are still better than the pesticide-ridden GMO berries wrapped in plastic from the supermarkets. But to each their own, I guess.
Bird hides
On the path between Cliff Pool and Canal Pool lie two bird hides. I initially thought they were lighthouses as that’s what Apple Maps told me.
Bird hides would make a great spot for contemplating and bird watching if only it wasn’t so hot. I am not sure when the last time the doors were opened, but I have a feeling I might be the only one to have gone in yesterday.
The front section was cordoned off, but I crossed it anyway. My courage to do so was rewarded with some spectacular views of the wetlands, with feathered friends lingering about.
Even though animals’ lives are ‘simpler’, they are much more content than we are.
Kingsbury Water Park
I always make sure to get adequate rest during different points of my journey. It was at the bird hides that I devoured the pineapples.
The structured water from the pineapples gave me a little boost to get back on the road. And before long, I made it to the main parts of Kingsbury Water Park.
There were many fishing docks sitting on the edges of the lakes, accompanied by swans, Canadian geese and the plethora of flora and fauna one can see with the naked eye.
I was very satisfied already. But the best parts of my journey were yet to come …
Echills Wood Railway
As I kept following the trail and wandering about, I came across some train tracks and EWR’s 72ft long Wrens Tunnel.
I actually walked inside the tunnels just to see what it’s like before stumbling upon gnomes from the Gnome’s Home. I took a few pictures here and there. While I was doing that, I was pleasantly surprised to hear the engine sounds from a ride-on miniature train.
People were actually mounted onto the carriages with their feet. Think of riding a horse, except it’s a carriage.
I was excited because I thought maybe I could also get on a ride.
It was my lucky day. As I arrived at North Gate Halt, I was greeted by one of the staff there. I told him I was walking all the way from the lakes and he very kindly showed me around the stations.
The most memorable part was the railway turntable. It was a proper train company, except the trains are smaller and more fun. He told me there were more than 100 trains stationed there, given by people from the local community.
I expressed my curiosity and interest in taking a ride. And he walked me to the entrance, where I was greeted by two other staff.
So there I was, patiently waiting to embark on this train ride of serendipity and happenstance. Why? Because the trains usually run on Sundays and occasionally Wednesdays.
You guessed it right. It was a Wednesday and I got there just in time to take one of the last few rides.
It’s a proper train operation because they’d check our tickets even though I didn’t have one. You can also get off at one of the two stations. And if you do, you fare is cheaper by £1.
Of course, it was only after the ride and in preparation for writing this post that I realised I had been gifted a free ride thanks to the generosity of the staff that day.
I hope you are reading this. And if you do, you will know you are. Thank you very much.
The Afterglow
I just felt happy. Like my inner child was awakened once again because I remember getting on the miniature ride in Disneyland in Hong Kong.
I ended the journey by walking through the rest of the park and the high street of Kingsbury.
It was a day well-lived.
These dots represent my journeys, my stories, my life.
I often hear university students moan about not having much to do. Perhaps they should venture out of the campus bubble, and actually explore their immediate vicinity.
There’s no need to book a flight ticket to Paris when you can get on a playful train ride in Kingsbury.
Have a blessed day, my friends.
