October’s good and not so gourd times

I’m a bit later than usual with my blog this month. I’ve had a bit of a mishap. To cut a long story short, I fell and injured some ribs, so there’s not much in the way of gardening going on at the moment.

Anyway, before said calamity, GR and I had a break of a different kind, a relaxing few days away in Aysgarth. Of course we revisited the Falls, very beautiful and famous, not least for a starring role in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, alongside Kevin Costner, who sadly wasn’t in evidence. The weather was amazing – I hadn’t thought to take sun cream in Yorkshire in October, so was sporting a farmer’s tan (well actually it was more of a lobster look) by the time we left for home.

One day we walked from our hotel, across the fields to Aysgarth village. GR had heard about a Rock Garden worth a visit. It was well hidden, but I really do recommend a look if you’re in the area. Just bear in mind that it is quite narrow to negotiate, so you need to be a bit agile – I wouldn’t like to attempt it at the moment! Apparently rock gardens are back in vogue – I wasn’t aware they had ever gone out of favour.

The Aysgarth Rock Garden was commissioned by a local man, Frank Sayer and work started on it in 1906. His interest in horticulture led him to set up his own nursery in Aysgarth. By all accounts he was a bit of a character and by today’s standards his other activities would not sit comfortably with nature lovers. He was said to deal in rare gull eggs and silver rabbit furs, reputedly supplying them to the last Czar of Russia. The local limestone used in his rock garden is now protected by law and should never be offered for sale.

In 2020 the Parish Council took over the maintenance of the garden, the then owners having gifted it to the local community. You won’t be surprised to know that its upkeep relies heavily on volunteers. It’s free to visit but there is a much needed donation box near the entrance gate. The garden really is delightful, as I think you will agree my photos demonstrate. It’s a prime example of ‘small is beautiful’, being only 0.14 acres in size (that makes it sound like I know what that means, which I don’t, but I understand one acre is the equivalent of about 16 tennis courts if that helps). In some ways it seems bigger, as you meander through the narrow pathways and under limestone archways, admiring the alpine plants, before emerging into a small lawned area at the top, with a spectacular view. And, it’s even got it’s own gnome! The garden was once home to a garden gnome business. It took me a while to find the Aysgarth gnome – he’s only about 6 inches tall – well, he’d be taller if he wasn’t headless. You might just be able to make him out in my photo, which I admit isn’t great, on account of it being so beautifully sunny on the day we visited. He could do with a trip to the Gnome Surgery I blogged about some time ago – you can revisit it here.

Aysgarth Rock Garden – what a hidden gem!

Just to change the subject, as we approach Halloween – being a very organised person, thinking ahead, I bought a tub of sweets last week, ready for Trick or Treat callers – GR has eaten most of them already. Little Bud has been pumpkin picking with Rosie and Daisy and the poor child has been dressed as a pumpkin. To be precise he was put in a real pumpkin, virtually naked, and photographed surrounded by smaller pumpkins – he wasn’t happy, and who can blame him – can you imagine how cold and slimy that must have felt. Fortunately he seemed unscathed after a warm bath, but you know there is such a thing as a fear of pumpkins – it’s called cucurbitophobia!