Mal's Rambles

  Croxteth Hall Today, I went for a walk with Moro, to Croxteth Country Park… a couple of miles up the road from our house. I had just taken delivery of a new Hoya filter, that morning. The filter would give me a false-colour rendition, which I had thought, would enhance any future Infrared Lecture. Walk up to the Hall After parking up, Moro and I walked up to the Hall, and turned to walk through the parks, extensive woodland and paths, stopping at times to take photos, and let Moro run through the woods off lead… Through the woods After our walk we made our way through the Hall Gardens, and parklands, to take in a bench or two… lol. and take my final images, before heading back to the car park, and home, about 2.5 hours…and as to the new filter… looks promising. The formal Gardens

Newborough Warren - old fisherfolks Cottages and Lighthouse Today we had planned to drive to the other side of Anglesey, and visit a place we have been to many times over the years, from when our Cath, was pre-school up until the present time. However, when we got up... a sea mist had rolled in, so after breakfast we had a change of plan, and decided, to stay close to the Breakwater Country Park... Sea mist over the Park So we parked up, and Cath, Ann & Moro went for a walk, leaving me to do some photography, and bird-watching... when they arrived back we went and had coffee and cake at the Park Cafe, before heading back to our hotel.... After some 'chill' time... the sea mist cleared a bit, so we decided to go to Cemaes Bay to walk Moro, and have a couple of pints in the Local Pub. The harbour at Camaes Bay The river to the harbour The harbour Pub After a couple of pints at The Stag… and a few bar nibbles, we walked back to the car park, and decided to go to Cemlyn Bay, an...

The Menai Bridge On the Saturday we were away in Anglesey, we had discussed where we planned to go the next morning… so after breakfast, in the hotel Conservatory, we got in the car, and started off for a National Trust Property on Anglesey… The Stately ‘Pile’, was the Estate of The Marquess of  Anglesey and his heirs, dating back to 1470.   https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/plas-newydd-house-and-garden The Hall looks over the Menai tidal river We arrived at the car park, and went for a coffee, in a café at the entrance… got to say it was one of the nicest coffees in a paper cup we’ve ever had lol. So after our coffee we went into the entrance shop and ‘flashed’ our Membership Cards ((Cath had to pay) and in we went… with camera in hand… Great photo opportunities  So after walking down to the Hall, we passed the Estates woodlands and gardens… making our way to the front of the Hall, with views over the tidal Menai Straits and to the Snowdonia National Park beyo...

Part of 'Soldiers-Point' / Holyhead Breakwater On Friday (14/04/23), as part of my 66th Birthday celebrations  (officially a pensioner now… got my free bus/train pass in the post a few days ago), Cath had booked our favourite Hotel for 3 nights on Holy Island/Anglesey/North Wales. https://www.boathousehotelholyhead.com/ The Boathouse Hotel Holyhead Breakwater Bay Although it was raining when we left Liverpool, it was glorious sunshine on the Island when we arrived, and after setting into our suite (Cath & Moro had a double room lol) we all went for a walk, on the ‘break-water’ as our hotel is situated at the start of the Breakwater Country Park. The breakwater with its lighthouse Ann & Cath, settled me down by the Breakwater to do some bird watching, whilst they walked Moro, along the breakwater itself… Northern Wheatear   I was watching a small flock of Wheatears, feeding on a grassed section at the start of the breakwater… It was a really great start to the stay…

  Lyme Park, Estate and Hall On Saturday, Cath had arranged to meet a friend at Lyme Park, with our Moro, and go for a walk of a few hours on the Estate Grounds… As I am a member of the National Trust, and this being one of its properties, I asked if I could tag along… but just wanted a lift, to do my own thing. We got there around 11:00. and Cath dropped me at the main car park by the Hall, and then left to meet her friend at another of the Parkland entrances… I however, walked the hill and went into the Hall Grounds. The Hall over the Lake Those of us who like a good period drama, will remember Lyme Park, as the setting for the 1995, BBC production of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ (Jane Austen) starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle… a classic !! After, a coffee in one of the cafés in the main, Hall I ventured out into the grounds of the main Hall and Lake, although I could have ventured down to the magnificent structured and formally set out walled garden, I could see parts of it was ro...