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Ball of Confusion

Out early to #Royden this morning, quite a few others having the same thought in advance of the Big Heat later. Coffee and carbs at Benty’s.

A dirt path winds through a forested area with trees on both sides and sunlight filtering through the leaves.A wooden dock extends over a calm lake surrounded by lush green trees under a clear blue sky.A serene pond with lily pads and flowers is accompanied by a moorhen walking near the water's edge.A peaceful garden patio with a wooden bench surrounded by lush green trees and purple flowers.

Warm this morning in #Royden. Heather (Calluna?) doing its best to bloom despite the weather. The heather is partly responsible for Thurstaston Common’s SSSI status and studies have been carried out there on best practices for managing bracken.

A narrow dirt path winds through a sunlit forest with green and brown foliage on either side.A sunlit forest path winds through trees with autumn-colored leaves and dense green undergrowth.A dirt path winds through a sunlit forest with tall trees and scattered leaves on the ground.A sunny landscape features a field of purple-pink heather bordered by trees and a rustic wooden fence under a clear blue sky.

Nice weather for this morning’s visit to #Royden. Benty’s seems to have stopped limited opening on Mondays.

A rocky path winds through green bushes under a blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds.A sunlit dirt path winds through a forest with tall trees and dry ferns.A group of cattle is resting and grazing in a peaceful, sunlit forest clearing surrounded by trees and foliage.A group of ducks is gathered near the edge of a calm pond surrounded by trees and foliage.

Warm this morning in #Royden. Orchard and plantation have suffered from the heat with more to come this week. Walled garden, however, looking surprisingly good thanks to the excellent care it receives.

A wooden signboard displaying a map of Royden Park and Thurstaston Common Local Nature Reserve stands amidst green foliage and trees near a rustic wooden fence under a partly cloudy sky.A dirt path winds through a dry, grassy field bordered by dense green trees under a blue sky with wispy clouds.A tall brick tower rises behind a lush garden filled with various plants, flowers, and greenery under a partly cloudy sky.A wooden garden arbor stands over a gravel pathway surrounded by lush greenery and colorful plants.

Sunny day for a walk from Thurstaston to Heswall via the KC3P. Coffee and carbs at YOT (freehold currently for sale). Heswall foreshore much improved though still some way to go in removal of derelict boats. Unusual sighting of clouded yellow butterfly. Huge numbers of miniscule ants adjacent to scorched bean field, now trimmed. butterfly-conservation.org/butterfli…

Warm but a little breezy this morning in #Royden. Rose bay willow herb starting to seed, some impressive bale towers and new mallard and moorhen additions on the mere.

A cluster of tall wildflowers with pink and white blooms stands in front of dense green trees and brownish underbrush.A narrow dirt path winds through a landscape of purple and brown heather with green trees under a partly cloudy blue sky.A scenic view of fields with several tall towers of hay bales scattered throughout, bordered by dense trees and shrubs, under a partly cloudy sky.A duck with her ducklings is swimming in a calm body of water near the edge of a wooden platform and a shoreline with trees. Two moorhen chicks by adjacent platform.

Hoylake to Gilroy footpath this morning. Sharp shower thankfully passed quickly. Across the old municipal golf course, past the fields where the scrapes will be, briefly into the nature park (pond dry) and ended up by the apple trees (a variable but in some cases decent crop in prospect).

A narrow, winding path runs through a field of dry grass under a partly cloudy sky.A cloudy sky looms over a green field bordered by tall grasses and bushes.A dirt path leads through an entrance marked by a wooden sign for Gilroy Nature Park, surrounded by dense green foliage.A narrow path runs through an orchard with apple trees on either side under a cloudy sky.

#Royden this afternoon. Very warm and muggy. Highland cattle chilling in the shade and staying hydrated.

Several cows are resting and standing under the shade of trees in a wooded area.A group of cows is resting and standing near a water trough under the shade of trees in a forested area.A dirt path winds through a wooded area with tall, leafy trees on both sides under a partly cloudy sky.A peaceful forest path winds through dense green trees with sunlight filtering through the leaves.

Warm and sunny this morning in Ness Gardens. Borders still thriving and some interesting wildlife. Coffee and carbs in the cafe.

A stone pathway bordered by lush, colorful flowers and greenery leads to a metal archway under a partly cloudy sky.A peaceful garden path lined with lush greenery and a wooden bench next to some large rocks stretches under a clear blue sky.A colorful flower garden with various plants and a wooden bench is situated beside a gravel path surrounded by lush green trees.A small bird is perched among green leaves and branches in the top part, while a butterfly with orange and black wings is resting on yellow flowers in the bottom part.

Bit of a breeze this morning in #Royden but otherwise very pleasant. Quite busy, mostly dog-walkers and the odd jogger. Couple of very young moorhen chicks on the mere.

A sunlit forest path winds through tall trees with some dry ferns lining the sides.A rocky path winds through dense bushes and trees under a partly cloudy sky.A scenic landscape features a pathway through shrubs leading to patchwork fields, greenery, a body of water, and hills under a partly cloudy sky.A sunlit dirt path winds through a dense forest filled with green ferns and tall trees.

Gentle totter around a sunny #Royden this morning. Coffee and carbs at Benty’s.

A narrow dirt path winds through a lush, green forest filled with ferns and tall trees.A dirt path winds through a sunlit forested area with a large tree providing shade on the right side.A serene landscape features a grassy field with a woven fence in the foreground, purple heather in the middle, and a dense tree line under a partly cloudy sky.A sunlit dirt path winds through a dense forest with tall trees casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Cloudy but warm this morning in #Royden. Again, just a fleeting visit.

A dirt path lined with fallen branches winds through a wooded area with trees and green foliage.A wooded path is bordered by piles of branches and fallen leaves, with sunlight filtering through the canopy of green trees.A wooden bench sits at the edge of a sunlit clearing, partially shaded by the branches of a large tree.A dry grassy field is bordered by dense trees under a partly cloudy sky, with tree branches hanging overhead and a dirt path curving along the right side.

Appreciable rainfall overnight and still cloudy this morning in #Royden. The trees in the orchard seem to be hanging on in there. Just a brief visit, getting my steps in.

A lush green cornfield stretches under a partly cloudy blue sky, bordered by tall grasses and leafy trees.A pathway framed by trees leads to a cemetery filled with numerous headstones under a cloudy sky.A young fruit tree with some small apples is staked in a grassy field under a cloudy sky.A dirt path winds through a dry grassy field leading towards a cluster of large trees under a cloudy sky.

Quite a breeze this morning in #Royden. Overnight rain of little obvious consequence. Lost football is kind of where we are. Ferns adding a splash of colour. Scrapyard fire in Talacre not the kind of view I was expecting across the Dee.

A forest path is lined with green and brown ferns beneath tall, twisted trees.A rocky path winds through a landscape of autumnal ferns and green trees under a cloudy sky.A plume of smoke is rising from a distant area across a body of water, with a foreground of green trees and fields.A forest path covered with fallen leaves winds through a mix of green and yellow ferns and trees.

Warm and sunny this morning in #Royden. Just a hint of rain this afternoon.

A serene forest path is surrounded by tall trees, dense greenery, and a stone wall partially covered with ivy.A sunlit dirt path winds through a lush forest filled with green and yellow ferns and tall trees.A shaded dirt path runs beneath a large tree, leading to a sunlit clearing with tall grasses and wildflowers.A sunlit dirt path winds through a forest with tall trees and lush green ferns under a clear blue sky.

Cloudy and breezy for this morning’s walk at Thurstaston. Fields parched and bean field looking v sad, much of it scorched. Coffee and carbs at YOT. Backyard Ultra tomorrow (not me!). www.backyardultra.uk

A coastal path winds along a grassy cliffside overlooking a curving shoreline under a cloudy sky.A narrow dirt path winds through tall grasses and wildflowers along a coastline under a cloudy sky.A narrow dirt path winds through a vast dry grass field under a cloudy sky.A field filled with tall grasses and wildflowers is bordered by dense green trees under a cloudy sky.

Overcast but mild this morning in #Royden. The place is a maze and decided to try a few new paths though inevitably you reach a familiar spot whichever way you go.

A narrow dirt path winds through a dense forest with tall trees and abundant green foliage on either side.A dirt path winds through a dense forest with tall pine trees and lush green ferns.A narrow dirt path winds through a dense forest with birch trees and abundant green ferns.A dirt path winds through a dense forest with tall trees and green foliage.

Overcast but equable in a fairly busy #Royden this morning. Someone’s been spraying red paint on the parking meters. Benty’s now open Mondays, sort of.

A narrow dirt path winds through dense green foliage and dry grasses in a forested area.A rocky path leads through lush greenery overlooking fields, dense trees, and a distant body of water under a cloudy sky.A wooden sign on a gravel path advertises that Benty Farm Tearooms are open and includes an announcement about new Monday hours and offerings.A heron stands on a small floating platform in a calm, tree-lined pond while two ducks swim nearby.

Brief visit to Birkenhead this morning. New street furniture does a nice job of historical context (B-P woz ‘ere etc). Then on to the Williamson which is a bit of a gem imo.

A public bench with an informational plaque about The Scout Movement is positioned in front of a Primark store and adjacent buildings.A historic brick building with classical white columns and a banner is partially framed by leafy green trees.A courtyard features a metal sculpture resembling a tree surrounded by metal chairs and tables, with greenery and a brick wall in the background.A corner of an art gallery displays four framed black-and-white sketches on white walls above decorative paneling and wooden herringbone flooring.

Butterfly adding value to the signage at #Royden this morning. Fleeting visit, too early for coffee and carbs.

A detailed map and informational board of Royden Park and Thurstaston Common Local Nature Reserve is displayed amidst lush greenery. A butterfly is perched on the map. A historic brick building with a clock tower is seen behind a closed wrought iron gate, framed by leafy tree branches.A wooden picnic table sits on dry grass near a group of tall trees under a partly cloudy sky.A peaceful wooded area features a small turntable with rails, surrounded by tall trees and a dirt path on the right side.