The curious; incident and garden

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night- Time

I found this book by Mark Haddon, which gave an insight into the day-today struggles of an autistic boy and his interaction with others, both compelling and emotive.  When I heard that it was being produced as a play, I couldn’t imagine how this could be done.  Well, this week I found that it had been produced brilliantly; in the round with talented actors, few props and the help of digital imaging projected on the floor. 

I saw it at my local cinema where National Theatre Live show a selection of top productions, often filmed simultaneously with the live production giving you an excellent view for a fraction of the price.  If you are interested in this wonderful experience see http://ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk  for  more details.

The Curious Garden:  Beacon Hill House, Langbar near Ilkley

Our gardening group visited this seven-acre garden in Langbar which was created in 1848 and has been tended by the Boyle family for 37 years.

 The early Victorian House

 Old tiling in the toilet.  Back in the day the maids of the house had to use the facilities outside

Mr Boyle gave us a tour of the grounds, pointing out interesting items and answering our questions.  Much of the garden is steeply sloping, one area even named “rest and be thankful” and we could see why, and backs on to a grouse moor and it gives a marvellous view of the Yorkshire countryside.

 From an area of the garden surrounded by a windbreak, this stone tunnel leads to another part of the garden

 The garden had beautiful woodland walks amongst a variety of large species of trees, rhododendrons, magnolias and bulbs.  They also have an established liriodendron, pterostyrax, hoherias and several species of eucryphia.   The garden has an old greenhouse which was originally heated by a coke boiler, as was one of the walls of the orchard at the very top of the garden.

 The heated wall, which is usually a feature of a walled garden.  This one backs on to the grouse moors.

  

 I haven't been very successful in capturing the stunning view of the dales from the front of the house.