Mary's Tree

This morning we chose the best part of the day to visit Roundhay Park, and Canal Gardens.
As usual our visit started with a look at the Leeds version of The Alhambra gardens.
Always a delight, and today looking lovely as the agapanthus were in full bloom.
I have blipped these before  SEE HERE

So today my photo is of a new sculpture we came across, near the woods surrounding Tropical World.
Thanks to a gererous bequest from Mary Hill, a close neighbour and lover of the park, the Friends of Roundhay Park were able to obtain the services of Shane Green, a local chain-saw sculptor, to transform a dead tree into a fascinating sculpture.It depicts some of the many creatures for which Roundhay Park and Tropical World is home. 
Fairly new, as it was only done in June 2016.
I thought it best to show the whole sculpture along with the two little boys, ( gives you the scale of it) and also a photo of some of the detail.
A beautiful carving. Such skill with something as large as a chain-saw.

We enjoyed a walk round both lakes, and through the woods.
A large tractor was cutting the grass, and several gardeners weeding the flowerbeds. I thanked two of them, and said we did appreciate the work they were doing to keep the park looking so lovely. Got big smiles from them both.
Unfortunately I don't think they often get any thanks.
Finished off with sausage rolls, lemon drizzle cake and coffee, sat out in the sunshine, on the cafe terrace overlooking the lake.

There was a notice on the wall of the garden which sums up our visit perfectly.

" The kiss of the sun for pardon
   The song of the birds for mirth
    One is nearer God's Heart in a garden
    Than anywhere else on earth."