Damp underfoot but dodged all but the briefest of showers this morning in #Royden. Summer splurge of green stuff well underway.

Here it is - hungry woodpecker chick(s?) noisily demanding to be fed, and not getting full satisfaction. A wonderful, unexpected start to a week's break in Shropshire.

Not many people seem to use the path at the back of the small arboretum at #Royden, possibly due to the large number of molehills in front of it. The tree is a madrona/arbutus apparently. First conkers spotted by Benty’s!

Last dry day for a while if the forecasts are to be believed. Heather starting to bloom on Thurstaston Hill (early?). #Royden fairly quiet though the dog walkers tend to cluster which makes more space for the rest!

Found a newly laid path at #Royden which turned out to be part of a path I used to follow in reverse. I wonder if more people will use it?

Last hot day of the present spell but just pleasantly warm first thing in #Royden. A few puddles after last night’s thunderstorm.

Gentle breeze much appreciated this morning on Montgomery Hill.

Nice day out in Liverpool visiting the Walker Art Gallery and Central Library. Had fun sketching in the sculpture gallery. Medieval, Baroque and Renaissance galleries particularly good places to chill (literally). Sorry to see the library cafe apparently closed.

Still a bit scorchio in #Royden so kept the walk short and shady. Laburnum arch still looking peachy. Coffee and carbs in the courtyard.

Not as extreme as some places but still a bit scorchio this morning in #Royden. A fair number of dog walkers out and about but Benty’s very quiet first thing.

Pleasantly warm again first thing in #Royden. Understandably quite busy, especially noticeable on the narrow paths up to Thurstaston Hill. Nice to see people enjoying the fine weather.

Not really a sun person but enjoyed the warmth this morning in #Royden. Shade from trees much appreciated.

Distinctly warm this morning in #Royden. I suspect more clouts need casting! Bit of a renewal theme with the photos. Also, saw a treecreeper.

Shopping/culture twirly to Liverpool. Coffee and carbs at the Walker. Some rooms closed but interesting to see the new temporary exhibitions. www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/whatson

Congrats to both teams on a fitting climax to this year’s Women’s Six Nations. Great to see the Red Roses continue their winning streak 🌹 🏆

Awesome 😎

Passing showers this morning in #Royden. Peak rhodo I would guess. Skipped coffee (Benty’s busy).

Mostly drizzle this morning in #Royden. Up top again for a distant view of the yachts off West Kirby. Coffee and carbs at Benty’s.

On a night shift at Warrington Arpley, in the early 1990's... The 08 shunt engine, pauses for a break between jobs. Whilst, a Locomotive departs Arpley Holding Sidings on the Arpley Branch, for its next turn of duty... #NikonFA #Transparency #E6 #Railway #Photography

Gentle meander around a very quiet #Royden in the noonday sun. Coffee at the courtyard.

To the top of Thurstaston Hill today. On the edge of a rain cloud moving up the estuary. A fair amount of rain overnight. Coffee and carbs at Benty’s.

Stormy skies, showers and a strong breeze this morning in #Royden. A few puddles underfoot and just the one moorhen chick in evidence on the mere. Coffee and carbs in a very quiet Benty’s.

Afternoon stroll around #Royden to admire the rhodos in the sun. Not many waterfowl evident on the mere though ducks kept popping up in unexpected places, plus a family of fledgling moorhens in the shade.

Cold start, big clouds this morning in #Royden. Rhodo blossom looking very nice and a fair number still in bud. Sadly no time for coffee.

Bright but chilly first thing in #Royden. Coffee and carbs at Benty’s.

To Port Sunlight for the May Morris exhibition at the Lady Lever. Pandora up to her usual tricks. Coffee and carbs at the gallery followed by a bit of a wander.

Wander around the North Wirral Coastal Park this morning. Notable features: much sedgewarbling, 1763 lighthouse, home of the miniroll and a dancehall played by the Beatles. Coffee and carbs at The Green Hut closely observed by the wildlife.

Cold and overcast today in #Royden but mercifully dry. Retreated undercover for coffee and carbs at Benty’s.

Rain in prospect next week so nice this morning to have a gentle amble around #Royden in the sun. Coffee and carbs at Benty’s.

Mostly dry this morning in #Royden apart from a brief and fortuitously light shower. Walled garden open and looking lovely though laburnum arch not quite there yet. Coffee and carbs at courtyard.

Warm and dry this morning in #Royden with occasional puddles from overnight rain. Skipped coffee.

Damp this morning in #Royden. Just a short circuit. Coffee and carbs later in Birkenhead.

Warm but cloudy in #Royden this morning. Coffee and carbs at Benty’s.

Some colour from last week’s visit to Ness. Mostly shopping today. Spent some time in Boyse’s which is new to me but apparently quite common on the other side of the Pennines.

Bright and breezy this morning in #Royden. Coffee and carbs at Benty’s.

#Royden basking in the sun again. Coffee and carbs at Benty’s.

Sunny this morning in #Royden. Negligible mud now in areas hard to pass a month ago. Coffee and carbs at the courtyard.

We have done a lot of work on our map of structures on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. www.google.com/maps/d/edit?...

Explanatory key for the Wapping Goods Station reconstruction - see previous post.

Wapping goods station off park Lane, 1835. Queens dock and the vibrant, diverse 'sailortown' behind. The station is in a cutting to access the tunnel - top left- from to Edge Hill 1 mile plus away. No locomotives in the town; trains ran by gravity to the dock - cable (steam engine driven) back.

Sunny, a cool breeze and fairly busy this morning in #Royden. Coffee and carbs at Benty’s where tulip season is apparently drawing to a close.

#Ness super colourful this morning. Coffee and carbs at RSPB Burton (Manor cafe chokka due to antiques fair).

A beautiful morning and #Royden quite busy. Liking the strong shadows and occasional rhodo in flower. Correction: Canada geese nesting on the mere. Coffee and carbs at Benty’s.

Walk on KC3P from Thurstaston to Heswall and back. Tide out but freaky ferns, new signage, abandoned boat clearance and fun flypast. Coffee and carbs at YOT.

Two trees brightening up Frankby cemetery this afternoon.

Bright but a little chilly until I warmed up this morning in #Royden. The occasional rhodo starting to bloom and moorhens nesting on the floating stage. Coffee and carbs at Benty’s.

Morning excursion to Liverpool for a mix of shopping and culture, not to mention coffee and carbs. The pair in the Walker cafe always make me wonder what he’s saying to her (wrong answers only).

I see there’s now a second potential location for the Peak Cluster AGI. Much larger than the first so presumably encompasses a range of inland sites. experience.arcgis.com/experienc…

Fresh first thing though not much of a breeze judging by the wind turbines. Silver birch leafing up nicely. Coffee at the courtyard.

Manchester Liverpool Road station - version 4; numerous corrections and addition of roof over passenger departures (almost imperceptible) thanks Ant D and Vrs.