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Pedmore flats

The theme of this collection of my snaps is seven miles or seven minutes from my own front door (though perhaps this should read 10 minutes - I don't move quite so quick now).听

To see some of Mike's 'Short Walks' galleries, click the links on the right of this page.

My home since 1969 has been the Black Country having moved from Worcester, first to
Wordsley and finally to Pedmore, where I live now.听 Just a short walk from...

Mike Jemmett

Wychbury Lane and the flats. With an elevated position these have great views over Dudley and as far as the Wrekin and Brown Clee Hill (I plan to master the digital stitching technique - so watch this space for panorama of this great view).听 Another day and another short walk to...

Ham Dingle. Out my back door to pick up the old footpath to Old Swinford & Stourbridge Junction Station.听A walk I did to catch the train to work for two years (one of the pics hopefully shows the some time frustrating experiences of train travellers).听 Another short trip now to...

Stourbridge Canal Link. 'The Boat Event'.听 This is a great meeting of boat people, a vibrant colourful photo opportunity.听 The next trip is a real jewel...

Saltwells Nature Reserve

Saltwells Nature Reserve. An area so close to Merry Hill, the Saltwells is often just a name on a sign which many will drive past in search of 'retail therapy'.听 I was one of those many until 2003, when I visited the Saltwells for the first time and discovered this
'pastoral therapy'. Wonderful walks, springtime bluebells and autumn colours. No winter-time snaps as yet, a must this coming one.

Part of this area was home to the Doulton Clay Pit (and now a listed Site of Special Scientific Interest - SSSI). This deep hole created by Doulton provided material for amongst other things, clay drainage pipes.听 One can spend, say, an hour in this beautiful place not meeting anyone else.听 Let the snaps tell the story. Another day and not far from here...

Black Country Museum,

The Black Country Museum. So important - the living history of this very proud area. Did Queen Victoria ask when her royal train was passing through "my man draw the blinds"?听 "Her dant know what she missed".

It must have been an unbelievable sight, the foundries, factories and mines all working 24 hours a day.听Finally just down the road from here, changes are afoot...

Royal Brierley听 - shots of demolition. The factory will go but the old office block and house will be spared. But what of the skilled workers who produced the finest of crystal?

'Royal Brierley' factory demolition

Wordsley Hospital - now for redevelopment. At least the clock tower and building where my sons were born stays.听 Enjoy these photos and most of all your local area, which I'm sure you'll agree is rich in beauty.

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Write about and photograph your adventures in the Black Country. E-mail your masterpieces to: blackcountry@bbc.co.uk