Posted on by Ronnie Hughes

A halcyon summer’s day in Stanley Park

DSC05290An idyllic Sunday afternoon this in one of Liverpool’s loveliest places. When I was little Stanley Park was just ‘the park’ as we lived right next to the Walton side of it. And this past year I’ve been happy to renew my acquaintance with it as I’ve been spending so much time in North Liverpool.

Some of this time has been because my friend Rachael O’Byrne, as well as being a City Councillor, now has a job here where she’s doing all sorts of things to attract more people back into the beautifully restored park.

And last week Rachael told me about this.
And last week Rachael told me about this.

So here I am.

Glad to see several football matches being played as I walk across the fields.
Glad to see several football matches being played as I walk across the fields.

High summer in the formal Edwardian gardens.
High summer in the formal Edwardian gardens.

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I find what I'm looking for.
I find what I’m looking for.
Just through there.
Just through there.
But first a walk past the municipal flower beds.
But first a walk past the municipal flower beds.
A very old and very English style of gardening this.
A very old and very English style of gardening this.
And done with great care here.
And done with great care here.
In considerable style.
In considerable style.

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Well done Glendale's - who do the Council's gardening.
Well done Glendale’s – who do the Council’s gardening.
Now here we are at the Garden Fete.
Now here we are at the Garden Fete.
There's Cally from Homebaked serving a customer.
There’s Cally from Homebaked serving a customer.
Deck chairs, always a beautiful sight in a traditional park.
Deck chairs, always a beautiful sight in a traditional park.

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Bees, lots of them.
Bees, lots of them.
Making honey.
Making honey.
And candles.
And candles.
Baby animals.
Baby animals.
And here's Rachael. Having at least as much fun as the children she's playing with.
And here’s Rachael. Having at least as much fun as the children she’s playing with.

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And look at this? In a horse box.
And look at this? In a horse box.
Story time.
Story time.

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Not actual eggs these days.
Not actual eggs these days.
Yoga going down well with the children.
Yoga going down well with the children.
As is 'balancing things on your head'
As is ‘balancing things on your head’

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Watched by Councillors and friends Ros Groves and Ann O'Byrne.
Watched by Councillors and friends Ros Groves and Ann O’Byrne.
Some families have brought their own picnics and are, in the old saying 'making a day of it'
Some families have brought their own picnics and are, in the old saying ‘making a day of it’
Lots to do. The ever popular 'having a sit in a fire engine'
Lots to do. The ever popular ‘having a sit in a fire engine’
I spend a peaceful hour behind the Homebaked stall with my friend Cally.
I spend a peaceful hour behind the Homebaked stall with my friend Cally.

While she serves the steady stream of customers we put most of the world to rights. Lovely to see you Cally.

All too soon it's time to go home. Rachel and Danny, Beautiful Ideas friends, off home with their girls.
All too soon it’s time to go home. Rachel and Danny, Beautiful Ideas friends, off home with their girls.
A peaceful and happy afternoon in Stanley Park.
A peaceful and happy afternoon in Stanley Park.

DSC05294 DSC05295 DSC05296I think of walking the four miles or so back home to Wavertree. But it’s got really hot now so I decide to walk through to Walton Breck and get the 26.

The football ground at the end of every street.
The football ground at the end of every street.
The new stand looming over the houses lucky enough to have escaped destruction for it.
The new stand looming over the houses lucky enough to have escaped destruction for it.
Down at Arsenal just about now Liverpool FC are kicking off the new season.
Down at Arsenal just about now Liverpool FC are kicking off the new season.
Meaning there'll have to be some fast finishing off done here before the first home match.
Meaning there’ll have to be some fast finishing off done here before the first home match.

Anyway, I’m ages waiting for the 26. But as the bus stop is right by the Paisley Gates I’m usefully engaged by tourists getting me to take their photos in front of the ground on an array of phones, a couple of cameras and even one iPad. Glad to be useful!

Well done Rachael O’Byrne and everyone for Stanley Park today x

And halcyon? A lovely word you hardly ever hear being used. It means days like this.

4 Replies to “A halcyon summer’s day in Stanley Park”

      1. I’d love to! But won’t be back in L4 til Christmas now. Am dreaming about all the Homebaked pies I’ll eat…
        Will tell the rellies about the Garden Party and look forward to your pictures!

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