Down to the river, part one
A two part Friday Walk this one, first part about getting to the river, second part about the South Docks.
Last Sunday, when we walked upstream in all the ragged glory of what 200 years of the chemical industry has done to the Mersey and its banks around Widnes, had given me a real hunger for more river walking. So today I set off for the river again. The Liverpool part of the Mersey this time. I’ll spend all of this Part One post getting there.
Slate grey today, but doesn’t feel like it’s going to rain.
Then across Sefton Park and into Lark Lane. (Yes, this is a bit like ‘In the neighbourhood’ from the other day. I’m ignoring the parks you’ll know perfectly well.)
Not been there yet but am encouraged when it’s Twitter feed explains it’s ‘community led.’ However it’s website takes you to a list of 30-odd other ‘Lounges’ – so not sure we’re in ‘Liverpool Independent’ land here. Unlike…
And bad as the paint job is Keith’s survives while others come and go.
Along the road I buy my lunch for later, falafel wraps – best in Liverpool.
Here I am, going round thinking I’m a free-spirit led purely by my instincts each day. But no. To him I’m one of his ‘Sunday people.’ ‘That’s when you always come in here!’ That’s me told.
A curious kind of one-sided high street and not alone of its type in Liverpool. I’m thinking particularly of West Derby Road in Tuebrook. Both have big parks on one side, with big houses and no shops. While the other side, with terraced streets leading off it, is packed with shops. Of much variety here too.
And along with offies, flower shops and newsagents there are real curiosities.
And as I walk past my fingers form into the five or six chord shapes I ever knew.
But it’s a lovely shop and I’m very glad it’s there.
All’s not perfect on Aigburth Road though.
Or are these empties simply opportunities for people with good ideas? Like…
Soon turning down to the Dingle.
It even survived Cliff and the Shadows playing there in 1961. Much more on it here.
As thorough a history of the Dingle’s early development as I’ve seen is here on ‘That’s How The Light Gets In.’
And soon I come to a choice.
The fact that the title of this post is ‘Aigburth Road to the Dingle’ will give you a clue about my all too easy decision.
This is it. It’s a grey day, but visibility is good.
And that’s the end of part one of the walk.
So, come back soon for Down to the river 2: The South Docks. Packed with history.
Hi Ronnie, the doorway/fountain in Dingle Road was a gateway. When you turned into Dingle Road from Dingle Lane did you notice the posts of an old gateway on someones back yard wall?
Looks like an old fireplace, in fact it was a gateway into Dingle Vale, a house of many years ago with gardens half way up to to Dingle Mount.
Oh, so that’s Dingle Vale, the house. Found it by mistake! Thanks Stan.
You’re welcome Ronnie, but I will always bow to your superior knowledge my friend.
Thank you Stan, but you are from the Dingle, so it’s clear you have the superior knowledge here!
Amazing as usual, if you’re ever after company for a walk let me know. I would love to walk the length of some of the feeder rivers.
Kevin (from across the mystery)
This is the first time I have seen a picture of the Dingle before it was developed. Isn’t it lovely? Did you see my picture of the Dingle in Winsford? It is quite similar. Interesting to me that my Yoxall ancestors lived near that one and then went to live in the Dingle in Liverpool. This is exploration at its best. Thanks so much again.
See Stephen’s blog for an entirely different Dingle.
We lived in one of the now demolished roads opposite that red brick wall on Dingle Lane. Funny to see it now as it always looked the size of a cliff when I was a kid!
lovely descriptive walks, thanks!
I am writing about Jesse Carver at the moment. His father was a tram driver from Aigburth to Dingle hence the interest in your piece. Anything on the trams you could point me to?
Only that he almost certainly will have worked out of the Liverpool Corporation tram sheds that were at the end of Aigburth Road, just where Ullet Road turns right into Park Road. The sheds were demolished for houses late 1980s/early 90s, having been a City Council Direct Works yard after the trams and buses left.
thanks Ronnie