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GLW1204:
In the Garden of Eden
Friday
25th May 2012
Are
you old enough to remember
Frankie Vaughan's
big hit:
When
you walk in the garden
In the garden of Eden
With
a beautiful woman
And you know how you care
And
the voice in the garden
In the Garden of Eden
Tells
you she is forbidden
Can you leave her there?
For
her birthday, I had promised to take Margaret to the
Vale of Eden. "Taking her" is a bit
of a misnomer. Now, now, don't be naughty! I
was referring to the next eight months, at least, before
I get my licence back, during which time she is the
one that has to do all the carrying and fetching, poor
lass.
Of
course, I had hoped she would have misheard me and cast
off all her clothes, thinking I had indeed referred
to the Garden thereof. Wishful thinking! But,
ironically, the Garden of Eden turned out to be the
highlight of our visit.
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We
arrived at the Black Swan Inn at Culgarth
early enough for a pre-dinner stroll (once
I overcame my panic and found the map which
had fallen into a crevice in the car).
Culgarth
is a pleasant, unpretentious little village
in that unspoilt area between the Lake District
and the Pennines'
The
village pub, the Black Swan, had been done
up as an attractive destination.
However,
for our stroll, we parked close to the bridge
over the Eden.
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This
stretch of the River Eden was a revelation. Firstly
there was an unusual piece of art Red River by
Victoria Brailsford- one of ten Eden
Benchmark sculptures,
this one being a set of round balls located on the edge
of a steep escarpment.
Next,
we had not expected such dramatic red rock cliffs. Very
impressive.
Once
round the bend of the river we headed east with Cross
Fell and the mysterious golf ball contraption on Great
Dun Fell clearly in view, to Temple Sowerby, a more
picture book village, and through there, across curious-bull
fields to Acorn Bank.
It
was now early evening and this National Trust property
was closed but there is a public footpath that goes
through the grounds, right by the house. Acorn
Bank is more renowned for its gardens than the property
so we resolved to return the following morning and made
our way out along the drive back to the car and onward
to our fine room in the chosen hostelry.
Dining
in the Black Swan was a bit strange. The first
course was superb and I though we were going to be in
for a treat. Sadly, however, my second course
was basically pub grub on a major scale- not one but
two pork steaks swimming in mushroom source. And
chips galore.. A case of less is more followed
by more is less. On the other hand, Margaret enjoyed
her whale.
In
the morning we returned to Acorn Bank and really enjoyed
the gardens, both formal and woodland with its stroll
down by the river to the old watermill.
On
the way home we deviated by Little Salkeld Mill- renowned
for its bread-making flour and having a good little
cafe.
Undoubtedly
the star of the visit was the Garden of Eden: Acorn
Bank and its a gem of a garden. But the same is
true of my dear wife. A gem. At all times
of the year.
To
answer Frankie Vaughan: No, I couldn't leave her there.
But I will take her back there. Or to be more
precise, I'll let her take me back there!
Don,
26th May 2012
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