Author Archives: Barbara

It was a really horrible, cold, wet and windy day. We had planned to go to Leasowe today, where there had been some rare winter visitors last week (Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting), but they were long gone. We decided that … Continue reading →

It’s a long time since we’ve been to Carr Mill Dam, March 2019 in fact, before the pandemic. Over time the bus and train routes become unsuitable, but we have now found a new way to get there. It was … Continue reading →

After a week or two of dry weather, today’s forecast was for occasional heavy rain. Right on cue, it started as we crossed the hospital’s car park, heading for the woods near Arrowe Hall. Under the trees, the falling leaves … Continue reading →

On a mild, still, misty morning we joined the Leeds – Liverpool canal at Waddicar and headed northwards. It’s a long time since we’ve walked the towpath of the canal, because there is nowhere to sit for lunch and there … Continue reading →

Speke Hall is a National Trust property, south of Liverpool, adjacent to the airport.  It is a rare surviving Tudor timber-framed manor house, started in 1530 and restored in the 19th century. It was home to the devoutly Catholic Norris … Continue reading →

Although Taylor Park was once a gentleman’s estate, there are no fancy trees here. The main attraction is the lake. There are very many birds living here, including Mallards, Coots, Moorhens, Canada Geese, a few Herring Gulls, a pair of … Continue reading →

It was a beautiful day, with a clear blue sky and bright sunshine, but there was an autumnal chill in the air, reminding us it was the day before the equinox. Summer is definitely over. We had intended to go … Continue reading →

Light rain had been forecast but it turned out to be a much wetter day than we expected. We walked up Long Lane from the station, crossed the A59, and walked up through the ploughed fields to the reservoir. Black-headed … Continue reading →

On the last day of meteorological summer we headed for two local private gardens, open for the day under the National Garden Scheme. The scheme is run by the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society), and many of Britain’s ordinary suburban gardeners … Continue reading →

Festival gardens are not as smart as they used to be, but we came across some of the Friends of the park, valiantly clearing and planting in the heat. The big lake was almost dry and the smaller shaded lake … Continue reading →