It was another hot one today, really too hot to be pounding the pavements. We were diverted from Hillside station by the arrangements for the “Open” golf tournament, with many police in attendance to shepherd the crowds towards the course, and barriers across the road preventing us crossing where we wanted to. We were visiting three private gardens, open to the public today as part of the National Garden Scheme, with the fee of £6 all going to good causes.
5 Cromer Road was a small garden, mostly paved, with seating areas being its prime function. The owner had some unusual trees – an Orange tree and a dwarf Robinia of the variety “Twisty Baby.” There was also a grape vine and a huge-leaved Gunnera, Koi carp in her pool and this sweet little ornamental baby rhino hanging off the rim of a water-lily pot.
34 Dunbar Close was a longer garden, and was set out with welcome shady seating areas for the visitors. Notable plants included Bougainvillea and Passion flower.
There were lots of butterflies about, Red Admiral, Peacock, Painted Lady, Large and Small Whites and a very small blue one that might have been a Holly Blue. There was a wonderful Bonsai collection, including this splendid grove of tiny Ash trees.
14 Saxon Road was a much bigger garden, full of winding paths, island beds, a pond and clouds of colourful flowers. It was exhausting to think of how much work it must take.
Plenty of butterflies here, too. A Painted Lady and our best of the day, a Brimstone.
Public transport details: Southport train from Central at 10.32, arriving Hillside 11.12. Returned from Birkdale station at 3.10. No Sunday walk next week, because it follows an MNA coach trip on the Saturday. On 26th July we are thinking of going to Hesketh Park in Southport. Meeting arrangements to be advised.
Anyone is welcome to come out with the Sunday Group. It is not strictly part of the MNA, although it has several overlapping members. We go out by public transport to local parks, woods and nature reserves all over Merseyside, and occasionally further afield. We are mostly pensioners, so the day is free on our bus passes, and we enjoy fresh air, a laugh and a joke, a slow amble in pleasant surroundings and sometimes we even look at the wildlife!
If you want to join a Sunday Group walk, pack lunch, a flask, waterproofs, binoculars if you have them, a waterproof pad to sit on if we have to have lunch on the grass or a wet bench (A garden kneeler? A newspaper in a plastic bag?), and wear stout shoes or walking boots. We are usually back in Liverpool City Centre by 3pm at the latest.
If you are interested in the wildlife of the north-west of England and would like to join the walks and coach trips run by the Merseyside Naturalists’ Association, see the main MNA website www.mnapage.info for details of our programme and how to join us.