I hadn’t been to Calderstones for ages. I’ve walked through a couple of times over the winter on the way to one of my favourite long walks, out round the southern edge of the city. But I hadn’t been to Calderstones, in a having a look around the place kind of way, in ages. So today I decided I would. And that I’d look round like a proper visitor, as if I’d never been here before.
And I was well impressed.
Helped obviously by the springtime and the blue sky of the day, the gardens clustered in the middle of the park - the English, Japanese and the one they’re calling a Sensory Garden - all looked as thought about and cared for over time as any Kew or other notable botanic gardens you might compare them with. And yes, I know these at Calderstones are more local-park municipal than consciously high-brow horticultural, the way those others are. But they had the same effect on me as Kew and even Ness near here always have. Making me want to find a good place to sit in each of them, and simply be there. Reluctant to move on, even between the gardens, as the hours of a peaceful afternoon passed me by.
But eventually I have moved. Across to the white building, just visible from the Japanese Garden. For coffee, another sit and the writing of these few words. Like a post card from a holiday. About a perfect afternoon out. In a public park. Hardly a mile away from where I live.
Preciously real and perfectly Calderstones.