This article was originally published on Hubpages in June 2010. One of Ness Gardens most famous views. Ness Botanic Gardens is owned by Liverpool University, and is found close to the town of Neston, in Wirral, England. The gardens evolved from one man's love of plants and his desire to share his collection with others. There is a spacious visitor centre housing a cafe, exhibition space, lecture theatre, meeting room, conservatory and a gift shop. There is also a weather centre and a plant sales area, many of these plants and seeds having been raised on site.  People are welcome to make use of the picnic area and childrens' play area. Generous coach and car parking space is also available. Come prepared to do a lot of walking. Wheelchair access seems limited. A beautiful waterfall and pond, surrounded by moisture-loving plants. Another view of the many ponds within Ness Gardens, which are alive with tadpoles each spring. Yellow flag iris flowering beside a pond, with a huge g...

 This article was originally published on Hubpages in April 2017. Who can resist the charm of squirrels? Sketching in Birkenhead Park, Wirral, England. In 2016, I started sketching scenes from my local park purely for fun ,as I regularly walk my dogs there. This project has continued. For sheer convenience, I use a small sketchpad and a fine-line ink pen as both could be carried in one pocket. This ensured tools were light and easy to transport and kept my hands free for holding my dogs' leads—simple logic. For any artist, the park offers open spaces, old trees and wooded copses, water scenes, wildlife, bridges, buildings and, of course, the activities of other people whether they're taking a stroll or playing sports. My sketches are usually done rapidly. This is partly because wildlife rarely stands still, which makes quick and decisive observations a must. Precise detail doesn't particularly interest me; if I wanted that, I'd use a camera. Having said that, I have als...

 This article was originally published on Hubpages in April 2011. An Ancient Viking Church! Not too far from the banks of the River Dee stands the ancient parish church of St Bridget's, which can date its existence back to Viking settlers. The Hogback Stone, displayed inside At Bridget's Parish Church, offers evidence of the Viking influence on an early Xtian burial. The vestry doorway and sections of the north wall of the Lady Chapel allegedly date from the 14th Century, while the tower dates mainly from the 16th Century. Much of the interior was restored during the 18th Century. However, this page is dedicated to photographs of St Bridget's rather wonderful graveyard. This, too, shows clear signs of advancing age, with its tumbled and wildly-leaning stones which display a charming variety of shapes, styles and symbolism. The rear of this peaceful graveyard is rampant with ivy and, in spring, primroses. Nature has been allowed to take over to provide a sanctuary for wildli...

This article was originally published on Hubpages in September 2009. Elegant iron gazebo overlooking the formal gardens. Sandlea Park, West Kirby Tucked away between Grange Road/Meols Drive and Dee Lane in West Kirby is a small but picturesque oasis of trees, shrubs and formal gardens which once formed the approach to the local library.  The adjacent buildings are now private apartments, and the library has long been sited in The Concourse, but Sandlea Park is free to visitors seven days a week. Locals like to sit on the benches during their lunch breaks, or they might bring children here for a picnic when the wind racing over the beach is too wild. The beach is just down the road, barely two minutes' walk away, and the shops along The Crescent and Banks Road are just around the corner. The following photographs aim to capture something of this secluded corner of one of Wirral's most popular villages. The entrance on Grange Road/Meols Drive West Kirby is a small Georgian seasid...

 This article was originally published on Hubpages in October 2009. West Kirby beach, with the Welsh hills and Little Eye on the horizon. The beach wraps around the Wirral peninsula like a sandy collar stretching some twenty-five miles in length, and the display of Blue Flags reveals its rank as one of Europe's cleanest beaches. A person can follow the boardwalk* over the reed beds and marshes, where natterjack toads breed and migrating birds gather. Or they might prefer the marina walk, with its sailboarders and yachts, which runs parallel to West Kirby promenade. A third choice, tides permitting, would be the hike over the exposed Dee Estuary sands to Little Eye, Middle Eye and Hilbre Islands. The late summer sunshine can bring out the crowds - relatively speaking. This photo of the busiest stretch of West Kirby beach shows plenty of space despite the influx of sunbathers and kite flyers. You can't miss the beach. Just walk out of the small train station and follow the incre...