Every year NGS -National Gardens Scheme – who are proud of their tradition of opening gardens of quality, character and interest across England and Wales – welcome about 750,000 visitors. Most of these gardens are privately owned like Mary Smith’s in High Etherley in Bishop Auckland and they can all be found in the NGS’s bible -The Yellow Book.
It’s a huge accolade for any gardener to be listed in the Yellow Book. Mary’s garden which I visited recently is listed for a reason – it is stunning – even this late in the year there are beautifully delicate plantings to admire, wonderful trees, fruit, vegetables, water and newly accquired bees.
It has that quality essential to all true gardens, that of tranquility. Lush and peaceful with views to the west and the setting sun it’s landscape is quite other wordly – a great place for a writer to be – a room with a view – a wonderful and surprising retreat. I’m so glad I finally got to see it.
If you would like to visit it’s by appointment only -details in the Yellow Book -as there are some parking restrictions. Donations are to Amnesty International – a cause very close to my heart – and I was interested in this link as imprisonment is a veiled theme in my novel The Orchid House where the garden is sometimes a metaphor for imprisonment as well as being a place of healing and enchantment. Perhaps it’s the seclusion that link the two, the hidden rooms, the inaccessibilty of the wild or overgrown plot, the taming of it…be interested to know what you think?
PS Got some great reviews for The Orchid House already on Amazon READ THEM HERE – – thank you so much to all – so glad you like it!
I have read the reviews of The Orchid House on Amazon. I’m so happy for you. I haven’t finished reading yet but do love the story.
Thanks Ann – I guess we all need to know that there are people out there who like what we do. Have sent you an e mail about the radio programme which is back on air soon!
Ax
I’m a big believer in meeting people we’re supposed to meet, and I see that you’re offering some interesting information on getting published as an ebook. I, too, love books themselves so much I’ve been a holdout regarding kindle, but I’m always open to change that improves our lives and your reasons for choosing publication in this manner make perfect sense.
Glad you found my blog. And now I’ve found yours.
I believe in meeting people we’re supposed to meet too !
A x
I meant to add: I love your sidebar quotes and you’ve been writing in an old church? Very cool. Never thought of that, but what fun!
So glad to have you come by and read your comments – as you know I’m a real fan of your blog and it inspired me to enrich mine. I’ve been writing in and old church in preparation for a radio programme on writing of which I’m a contributor. I will post about the podcasts which are downloadable. We have just taken a summer break but are back on air soon and we like to include work from writers who listen in – have had some poetry from Ann Grenier – USA .
I love books too and was quite Kindle resistant but it’s just been so wonderful to publish my work without the angst of agents (although my agent is a lovely person who tried very hard for me ) and editors and the market! it’s totally liberating. great for poets too.
A x