An 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.
So here I am.
Glad to see several football matches being played as I walk across the fields.
High summer in the formal Edwardian gardens.
I find what I’m looking for.
Just through there.
But first a walk past the municipal flower beds.
A very old and very English style of gardening this.
And done with great care here.
In considerable style.
Well done Glendale’s – who do the Council’s gardening.
Now here we are at the Garden Fete.
There’s Cally from Homebaked serving a customer.
Deck chairs, always a beautiful sight in a traditional park.
Bees, lots of them.
Making honey.
And candles.
Baby animals.
And here’s Rachael. Having at least as much fun as the children she’s playing with.
And look at this? In a horse box.
Story time.
Not actual eggs these days.
Yoga going down well with the children.
As is ‘balancing things on your head’
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’
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.
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.
A peaceful and happy afternoon in Stanley Park.
I 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 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.
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.
Got to spend some gorgeous spring days in ‘the park’ this year. Thanks for a wonderful reminder. The fete looked fab!
It was lovely Joanne. And there’ll be a Garden Party there on Sunday 28th at the Isla Gladstone. See you there?
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!
I’ll say hello to everyone I don’t know as if they’re your rellies then!