Tag Archives: markeaton park

Family fun day

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As we walked through the park today I could not believe how many people there were. To say the place was crowded would be a wild under statement. I thought there must be every family with children from derby had decided to congregate at Markeaton Park. The children’s paddle pool was full of toddlers and the grass area alongside it was swarming with rugs, picnic baskets, chilli bins and families.

The playground areas were busy too, although that often was. There was a large bouncy castle too that was staring in the crowds.

The mini train that goes around the park was popular too.

I discovered later that the attraction to the Park was the fun fare. As we were leaving there was a queue of cars trying to get into the car park.

There were lots of smiles all round and lots of activity. So if you’re thinking of something to keep the children entertained during the holidays then this could be for you!?

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Alice returns to Markeaton

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Friday 21 May 2010

For the very first time in Derby, I came across the most gorgeous sunset, and how opportune for me that I was able to frame the sun with the tree leaves that had formed a circular or heart shape.  As I wandered down to Markeaton Park I also discovered some pretty flowers too.  I was hoping to get some good shots at the Park as well, but unfortunately most of the flowers there had faded away.

Alice recalls the Choo Choo Train from Kuirau Park

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Chuga chuga chuga chuga choo choo!  That’s what I remember of the sound from the little train at Kuirau park many moons ago.  I have fond memories of going down to Kuirau park with my parents for picnics on warm sunny days.  There was a little train that went around the park, and the most exciting thing was that it went through steam and over bubbling mud, it was quite the thrill.  Unfortunately they have now removed the fun park at Kuirau park, and so the little train there no longer operates.  It seems a great shame for the future generations of children who will not be able to experience it.  I do not know why it had to go, but can only speculate it may have been for health and safety reasons due to the park exploding with thermal activity on more than one occasion.

        

I always look forward to the weekend, not just for the opportunity to sleep in and take things easy, but also because it is a rare opportunity for me to be able to go outside during the day when it is still sunlight to take photos.  We had a good long walk yesterday.  Part of our walk took us through Markeaton park in Derby.  This park does not have as many dogs in it as does Darley Abbey Park, but it still has a fair number, but mostly you tend to see families with young children.  Markeaton park is ideal for a family outing because it has so many activities, from the paddling pool in summer, the putt putt, a mini golf course, a couple of play ground areas, a little crafts villages with painting activities and so on.  We saw a little train as we walked through the park, and little children running up to the train, and this reminded me of the fun times I used to have myself on the little train in Kuirau park when I was young.

                  

Alice goes bird-spotting in Markeaton Park

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It was another cold day today, but not cold enough to freeze the water on the ponds though.  We had a good walk today, discovering new places along the way, and by the time we had returned home more than two hours had passed.   I was pleased to realise that we had done a fair amount of exercise today.  It was no wonder then that I just flopped when we arrived home, I could not do anything except curl up on the couch under a duvet. 

We did not have the gorgeous blue sky and sun that we had last week, so I did not expect to see many people at the park.  However I was surprised to see a small crowd of people out with their children and the family pets. There were even people camping out along the lake edge with numeous fishing rods in the lake.  It did not look like they would have much success, but then you never know.

   

We walked along the small lake and spotted a number of geese and swans and other birds.  There was a peculiar incident involving a swan and a little dog.  I was just standing near the edge of the pond about to take the photo of a swan.  I had the flash turned off so as not to startle.  The little dog that was coming into view grabbed my attention because he looked similar to a Lhaso Apso, that is the same sort of dog of my Aunt.  I was startled then by the sound of the swan next to me.  The swan had put his neck and head up over the footpath and his mouth was wide open as he made a loud snarl and hissing sound.  For a second there I was not just surprised by quite terrified.  I had heard that swans could be vicious but I never recalled hearing a swan make such a sound before.  It sounded exactly like what I would have expected a snake to sound like when making an attack.  Well, you can imagine what happened next … we all swiftly moved along!