Wow, it’s been a loooooong time since we last saw Paddy and Plunkett, hasn’t it? So perhaps it’s appropriate that we catch up with them just as they’re about to venture into another place that the world forgot about for a while – the Lost Gardens of Heligan!
First, they took a peek through this hole in the fence, and decided that it would be an excellent place for a day’s exploring. Unfortunately, that window is just a liiiiiiiittle too small for them to climb through. Could it be that they’ll actually have to -GASP- pay an entrance fee for once?
Apparently not.
If you’re Beastie-sized, stowing away on a passing wheelbarrow is always an option. And once they were inside, they were quickly able to win over the staff with their Irish charm.
Great! Let’s celebrate with a snack. Pineapple, anyone?
You can’t see Paddy in these photos, because he’d already hopped over the wall and started munching. However, Plunkett wasn’t so sure…
“Paddy, it says on the sign that the heat these pineapples need to grow comes from filling the pit trenches with a steady supply of fresh horse manure.”
“Yes, Plunkett, but it also says that the pineapples are delicious… And one of the first ones harvested after this pit was unearthed and rebuilt in the 1990s was sent to the Queen as a 50th wedding anniversary gift! So if they’re good enough for her, they’re good enough for me. YUM!”
And what better way to celebrate the restoration of the only surviving pineapple pit in Britain? Apparently, these were quite the thing back in the 19th century, with gardeners in the “big houses” competing to see who could grow the tastiest pineapples! Unfortunately, the skills involved in maintaining one were pretty much lost – with the decline of apprenticeships, the knowledge was no longer being passed along, and no-one thought to write it down. It was only through trial and error that the staff at Heligan were able to make this project bear fruit… And the Beasties were more than happy to show a little appreciation for their efforts.
Suitably stuffed, the boys wandered a little further, and found themselves in the jungle! Luckily, they’re old hands at jungle exploration, having recently spent time at the Eden Project. And after eating all that pineapple, it’s incredible that this rope bridge was able to take the strain of them walking across it!
On the other side, the boys worked off a little bit of their recent extravagance by clambering around on the firewood pile…
… But a terrifying sight awaited them on the other side!
“Oh no! What happened here?”
But Plunkett was soon able to put two and two together, when he spotted this…
“Aaaaaah, this must be where they make the charcoal!”
“What do they need charcoal for?”
“For the barbecue, Paddy! They raise beef right here on the estate, and have big summer barbecues for visitors!”
Paddy went quiet.
“If I had known there was going to be a barbecue, Plunkett, I wouldn’t have filled up on pineapple!”
Oh dear. Perhaps a quick stroll around more of the gardens will help Paddy to work up an appetite for a second helping of Heligan’s tasty treats? We’ll have more from the boys on Tuesday… But in the meantime, do feel free to make Paddy jealous by sharing your weekend dining plans with us in the comments!
Have a good one, everybody!
The Lost Gardens is fabulous place. Looks like you had decent weather 🙂
Thanks, Paula! Yes, the boys were very lucky… Although I imagine this place would be great whatever the weather! Cheers for dropping by 😀
Paddy and Plunkett! It was so fun to read their adventures and another round of wonderful and imaginative photos 🙂
Yes, it’s been a while, hasn’t it? It’s good to know the lads are still out there adventuring, though 😉 Thanks for stopping in, Tierney!
I also want to visit the lost gardens!
Doesn’t it look amazing? I really need to start following Paddy and Plunkett when they leave the house… They always end up in the best places. Thanks for calling in, Mariss! 😀
I enjoyed the second post too — those giants hiding in the foliage really do cut Paddy and Plunkett down to size!
Thanks Mariss! And yes, the giants might have the height advantage, but it’s easier to scamper away and hide when you’re Beastie-sized! Cheers for stopping in 😀
What a fun place. 🙂 I’ve heard that pineapple cultivation can take quite a while – glad to hear that the horse manure is helping things along! I like Diggory’s outfit – everyone’s co-ordinated!
Hahaha! I didn’t even notice that… But you’re right! Diggory does seem to be rocking a distinctly Plunkett-esque look! 😂 And yes, pineapple cultivation sounds like it’s a real labour of love – just as well Paddy and Plunkett were on hand to show their appreciation. Thanks for dropping by, Shirley!
Indeed! They’re a dapper bunch. 🙂
Ohhhhh I didn’t know all that about pineapples – verrrrrry interesting! Hmm I don’t think I had any food that would make P&P too jealous over the weekend…. though two veggie curries is nothing to sneeze at!
No indeed! Deeeelicious… But two curries?! Do you have a dedicated one for each weekend day? And, more importantly, was there pineapple in either of them? 😀 Cheers for stopping in, Weekes!
Haha yes, they were not consumed on the same day and had differing origins! Neither contained any pineapple though… I need the lads to come set up some manure in the back garden, I guess!
Done and done! I think Paddy might need to change out of that nice white sweater though… 😂
Haha or borrow Finn’s plastic baggie scuba gear!
I’m not sure how the Queen would feel about being the recipient of a Poo Pineapple. Hopefully, no one told her. That rope bridge looks like too much fun and the scarecrows remind me of the silly scarecrows they put up in the Oregon Garden. You’ve made me want go here! Too bad it’s lost (sigh). :))
Aaaah, it WAS lost… But it they found it again. And there seemed to be signposts to it all over the place, which should prevent it being misplaced in future! 😂 As for the poo pineapple (poo-napple?), the gardeners in charge of the pineapple pit has the same concerns, so they “tested” the very first one themselves, and offered the second harvested to HRH. You can’t be too careful! Thanks for stopping by, Tammie! 😀