This is a run I\u2019ve been waiting to do for a while. The road from the gates at the entrance to the Speke Hall estate down to the car park is called The Walk. The estate has only recently re-opened to the public after lock-down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speke Hall is a wood-framed wattle-and-daub Tudor manor house, built from 1530. It was founded by Sir William Norris (who gave his name to Norris Green) and is currently owned and managed by the National Trust. It has stories of ghosts (naturally!), a priest hole, a special observation hole to spot approaching troops, an eavesdrop, plus two 500 year old yew trees called Adam and Eve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Estuary Commerce Park and Liverpool International Business Park are build on land previously occupied by the old Speke Airport (also known as Speke Aerodrome), opened 1930. In 1936 it also became home to RAF Speke (661 Squadron). Many of the roads and areas are named in honour of aircraft and manufacturers – Dakota, Hercules, De Havilland, Tornado, Hurricane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m a little disappointed Windward Drive wasn\u2019t named Windward Way as it would be so much fun to say the address \u20181 Windward Way\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s a fabulous converted hanger behind the old airport building, with a stylised window design above the entrance and carved statues of winged men (Icarus?) either side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ve got to applaud the builders of Liverpool International Business Park for keeping a wide stretch of green space between the premises on Estuary Boulevard and Dakota Drive. It cuts a peaceful, green swath from De Havilland Drive all the way to Garston Shore Road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve never in my life been along Garston Shore Road. I\u2019m guessing it\u2019s only as old as the business park. Between the road and the river there\u2019s a footpath which, I think, you can follow all the way to Runcorn via Speke, Hale, and Ditton. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After experiencing the terraced streets of Kirkdale yesterday, complete with the smell drifting in from the docks, running alongside the river was, quite literally, a breath of fresh air! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was interesting to see the sign outside Hurricane Court telling owners that they would use For Halsbury\u2019s common law of England to evict any unauthorised caravans. This is a complete statement of English law, first published in 1907.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are ponds along one side or Estuary Boulevard. The heron obviously couldn\u2019t see the \u2018No fishing\u2019 sign!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m not sure why Estuary Commerce Park has gates at the main entrance. I can\u2019t think of any situation where they would need to close the gates given that many of the businesses need 24 hour access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I waved at Dobbies garden centre on the way past. This is one of my parents\u2019 favourite places to visit because of the range of products and the extensive food offering in the restaurant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of the photos from this run are in a publically viewable Facebook album. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To view them click<\/a> <\/a>here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n