Here is a clue. Francis, a National Trust Volunteer – sorry a Scarecrow welcomed us to the woods at Calke Abbey. We love this estate, mainly for its woodland walks and Deer. But also to match the changing seasons in the year, visits to the Walled Gardens are needed. These gardens are situated at a respectable distance from the Hall on higher ground. The gardens are divided in to a Pleasure Garden for the original residents of the Hall , and a separate very productive Vegetable Garden and Orchard designed to make the estate as self sufficient as possible.
Saturday, it would appear, was a special ‘Harvest Celebration Day’. Appropriately the Scarecrows were to guide us and lots of children and families to the gardens.
The route takes you to the Pleasure Garden designed for leisure, a place to stroll, to sit and just enjoy… and in past times a place for family privacy at leisure. Gardens that are still a delight today and a mix of the unusual, the traditional and those Victorian extravagances of Orangeries.
Then it was on to the Vegetable Gardens to be welcomed by the grandfather of the Scarecrows who as been on guard duty over the crops from spring to autumn, his task nearly done….
But then onto the Harvest Treasures that the youngsters and those not so young were seeking… in place of honour in the Victorian ‘Auricula Theatre ‘ …. a display of Pumpkin’s and Gourd’s, a bountiful crop from the garden..
Mission accomplished, and with a last goodbye from Scarecrow Bill, who had been trying to teach us all an old country Folk song…. not with much success., even though the words were written down !
Not the quiet walk we were expecting, but like all surprises, all the better for being a surprise. Great to see so many extended families out enjoying a sunny autumn day.
Wherever you are this Monday…… as always….
Please Remember ….
Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other
16th October
(C) David Oakes 2023
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