Storm's coming...

Another unexpectedly lovely day in the North West found me packing up a picnic and taking full advantage of this blip in the weather to spend quality time outdoors.....venue-Stanley Park. The boys kicked a football around on the astroturf before settling down on the grass to our ham sandwiches,crab sticks,crisps,biscuits etc. We then walked to the Italian Gardens, onwards to the Lake and shop where Nobbly Bobbly and Bubblegum lollies were purchased and duly consumed on our way back to the car following a message from a friend telling us rain was on it's way-it was and arrived just as we reached the car-thankyou friend and thankyou weather for being kind with your timing.

This photograph was taken on our way through the Italian Garden facing the Art Deco cafe. You can see the darkening of cloud predicting the forthcoming storm.

For info: The park is designed with all main paths leading out radially from the circular Italian garden at the centre. At the very centre is a fountain surrounded by a number of flowerbeds and small statues. The steps leading down to this garden from the north are flanked by two ornamental lions believed to have belonged initially to Pope Leo X and, therefore, were created around the year 1500.