John Medd: Parklife

Welcome to May's Photo Challenge. Good to have you along, or if you're watching us on catch-up this one's Season 4, Episode 5. This month I was after all things verdant - Parks & Rec. And what a collection we've assembled. We've got parks on your doorstep, parks on the other side of the world and a whole lot more besides.

And please don't forget the two little sidebars we've got going - Sunrise & Sunset Reprise and People Pics. Both pretty self explanatory, but if you see a beautiful sky at anytime, snap it and send it to me. Likewise, if you fancy taking a picture of a friend or family member or even a total stranger, ping it over and we'll put 'em in our very own rogues gallery.

Without further ado, Rol: "Hi John, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, again."

"Little Wembley - where Sam & I used to escape during Lockdown.

"Another one from Portmeirion. Be seeing you!" A great start, Rol. Thank you! You look like a man who's going places.

Nottinghamian Pete Zab: "Hi John, five pictures taken in Woodthorpe Park over the last few days." Cheers, Pete - a part of Nottingham I know well.

Alfa Dave: "An outside gym located on the beautiful Clair de Lune in our favourite French town of Dinard. Ten years ago when I was till actually taller than my sons!" Cheers, Dave. Were the lads powering the generator in your digs?

Ernie and his Top 3 Parks: "Nearest - Victoria Park, east London."

"Best backdrop - Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Town."

"Best layout - Kenroku-En Farden, Kanazawa." Cheers, Ernesto. A good spread.

Ex-Lincoln girl, Kate: "Early morning at Lincoln South Common." Lovely! Is that Blue in the photograph?

Ooooooosh! It's Vaughan! "Hi John, three from the Arboretum - a crisp Sunday morning around 10 o'clock. Harry in the coat was awestruck by the squirrel community."

"The tree is a Brewer's Drooping Spruce with Nottingham High School in the background."

"Bluebells and the Bandstand." Thank you, V. I often walk thru the Arboretum; it wears its majesty lightly.

Johnny Legs is back in town. Or out of town to be more precise. "The deer in Wollaton Park aka Wayne Manor." Thank you, Johnny. I wonder if Batman carried Anti-Deer Repellent on his Bat Utility Belt?

Claire and her local rec: "This is 'Helicopter Park' aka Arno Vale Recreation Ground in Arnold, Nottingham - it could do with a lick of paint!" I agree, Claire. It's looking vey sad.

Another local - Tim: Hi John, kicking off with a brace from the Real Alcazar in Seville where we've just been. The Spanish have a really strong formal garden game. Then we have the Great Ridge in The Peak District National Park snapped on the way into Manchester Airport. Well it’s in a park but feel free to reject on a technical basis. (A park is a park is a park, Tim! - JM). Finally a ground level shot in the same National Park around the Hope Valley. Hope these pass muster. Figured I’d probably best steer clear of loitering round playgrounds it’s not the best look when your daughters are now on their 20’s. Cheers, Tim." Excellent stuff, Tim! Thank you as always.

Matthew & Sam with some shots from their travels: "Kobe Herb Garden in Japan."

"Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, South Africa."

"And finally, a park in the self proclaimed carrot capital of the world, New Zealand, M&S." What can I say? Do they stay open after dark?

Walter from the Mother Land: "Hi John, here are some pics for the challenge. First one from a public lake near my hometown where I often walk to. And a rice field in Kerala, India." Danke, Walt. The green, green grass of home.

Riggsby and this month's Californian instillment of the National Geographic: "Hi John, Balboa Park in San Diego is a must for visitors, and offers many events throughout the year for those fortunate to be able to visit frequently. The Spanish Colonial Revival architecture originated with the 1915 Panama–California Exposition and is characteristic of the central buildings today. The park is also home to the Botanical Building and its iconic lily pond, reportedly one of the most photographed spots in the city. There's so much to see within a short walking distance: San Diego Zoo; many museums; the Spanish Village Art Center, a lively community of artists, with its multicolored flagstones; the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, home to one of the largest outdoor pipe organs in the world, with music during free Sunday concerts and a venue for other concerts, including summer evening concerts series; beautiful gardens, notably a large rose garden; home also to the (not-so-very) Old Globe Theatre, and a favourite of mine, the World Beat Cultural Center."

"Pics from Jingyi and me of the Torrey Pines State Park, our favourite hiking spot, about seven miles from where we live. Sitting between Del Mar and La Jolla, the park has many different terrains in only about three square miles, from ravines and chaparral-covered hillsides to quiet wetlands that support migratory birds - and even a few seagulls. From the entrance, we walk up the hill on the inland side and wind around the side trails, particularly the large steps of the Parry Grove trail. From the top, there are three different trails down to the beach, with panoramic views of the Pacific, and back to the park entrance. The spectacular sandstone cliffs frame the beach. The Torrey Pine is one of the rarest pines in the US. Sunset is a particularly busy time."

"To explain the panel about cars: This stretch of Torrey Pines Park Road once carried the main route between Los Angeles and San Diego. Built as dirt in 1910 and paved with concrete in 1915, its steep gradient challenged early cars. Model Ts relied on gravity to feed fuel to the front engine, so drivers had to climb the hill in reverse!" Thank you so much Richard & Jingyi - I love the narrative that comes with your photographs.

Adam next: "Hi John, this is the park near us at sunset last week, combining two of your themes in one. The sun behind the row of trees caught my eye. Again." Thank you, Adam. It's not often the sun shines in Manchester!

It's good to have David Cooper back in circulation: "I think these meet the brief, John. Firstly Azad Maidan is a park in Mumbai, India which has an incredible 22 cricket pitches with all the boundaries overlapping and marked out by not very visible white discs. Galup Reserve (formerly Lake Monger) is in Perth, Australia and as well as turtles there were signs warning of snakes. Closer to home I have, unsurprisingly, plenty of shots of Attenborough Nature Reserve. David." Good to have you back, Coops. And a stunning trio, for sure. Your cricket pics from around the world would make for a fantastic photo book/zine.

K: from the Kotswolds: "Hello John, Two offerings this month. The first is from a trip to the Rococo Gardens in Painswick, less than an hour’s drive from Casa K. A castle carved from the trunk of a dead tree. Another decade, another trip, another park, and Lady K mid-rotation in a spinning bucket chair that kept her entertained for (seemingly) hours. Hope all is well with you, K." It is indeed, K. And thank you again for your contributions - I know you're an amazingly busy man.

Alyson from the Highlands: "Hi John, my photo for this month was taken on a recent walk around Brodie Castle - famous for its many varieties of daffodils." Thank you, Alyson. Spring personified.

And finally, as honorary Park Keeper, I get to close the gates with a few of mine: St. Pancras Gardens in north London: I'm sitting on the Beatles bench - one of many locations in the capital that comprised their Mad Day Out in 1968.

Quack quack! Vernon Park in Basford, Nottingham. The locals call it Vermin Park, apparently.

A folly in Belton Park near Grantham.

One of the few places I really miss from my time in North Yorkshire - Castle Howard just outside York. An amazing house, gardens and arboretum.

Syston Park, Leicestershire. This mosaic is the first thing you see when you walk in.

James c.1993 in West Bridgford Park.

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Sunrise/Sunset Reprise

As promised, a few more of your sunrises & sunsets. First up, Claire - she of the rusty helicopter: "We're lucky enough to see some fabulous sunsets from our house and garden, here are a few more recent ones..." You are lucky, Claire. I need to come and have a butchers one evening.

Adam's got a great one to share: "I'm sending this one for the monthly photo challenge extra slot - Manchester's Oxford Road Station at sunset last Saturday evening - photographed from the Oxford Road Tap. Nice bar, good selection of beers. Good view of the wooden roof of the station." Sitting in a bar is always my preferred vantage point, Adam!

Kate's back: "Summer sunrise at Gedling House Meadows." Thanks, Kate - could be a scene from 'Detectorists'.

Who knew The Swede Lived in Paradise? "Hi John, The Meadow, owned in perpetuity by the town is my de facto back garden - a perfect space to sit and think or to simply watch the river flow. I particularly love this immense tree on the far bank." Thank you, TS - looks like a great place to lose herself.