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. |
.jpg)
