Heligan Security - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties

Paddy, Plunkett and the Lost Garden

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!
Paddy and Plunkett at the Gates of Heligan - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties

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.
Stowaways at the Lsot Gardens of Heligan! H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesIf 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.
Paddy and Plunkett Meet the Staff - Lost Gardens of Heligan - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties

Great! Let’s celebrate with a snack. Pineapple, anyone?
Pineapple Pit at Heligan - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesYou 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!
Heligan Rope Bridge - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesOn the other side, the boys worked off a little bit of their recent extravagance by clambering around on the firewood pile…
Woodpile Climbing at Heligan - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties… But a terrifying sight awaited them on the other side!
Paddy and Plunkett, Firestarters - H Crawford/Crawcrafts Beasties“Oh no! What happened here?”

But Plunkett was soon able to put two and two together, when he spotted this…
Paddy and Plunkett at the Charcoal Kiln - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties“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!

 

Ooops! Or, Liebster Award – Part 2

Oh dear. I knew there was something a little off about my post yesterday, and it’s taken me until this morning to realise what it is… I somehow managed to leave one of my favourite blogs out of my Liebster nominees list! So please, drop everything you’re doing and go and visit Stitch Boom Bang! immediately. I’m a big fan of Heather’s work, and her witty, interesting posts always make me smile. You can also pick up some of her pieces for yourself at her Etsy shop!

Now that’s fixed I can go to work with a clear conscience! Have a great day, everybody 🙂

Victorian Explorer Beastie

Victorian Explorer Beastie Close-Up

Regular visitors to the BeastieBlog will remember this dashing chap from our visit to Bray in Co. Wicklow a couple of months ago.
Bray Head

However, he was so busy strolling along the promenade, climbing the hill and picking up interesting pebbles on the beach that he didn’t get a chance to show off all his tip-top explorer kit. So I’ve invited him back!Victorian Explorer Beastie

No gentleman explorer should leave home without his pith helmet, belt pouch for assorted sundries, and knapsack. I wonder what he’s taking with him?
Map and Hipflask

Oh, of course! A map of a distant land and a hipflask of finest gin. Nice!

Victorian Explorer Beastie’s next port of call will be Dun Laoghaire in South Dublin, for Creative Collective Ireland’s annual Pop Up Shop… but who knows where he’ll go after that?

Autumn Beastie

Autumn Leaves

I thought I’d make a monster to celebrate the arrival of my favourite season. In Ireland, the seasons rarely behave as they’re supposed to… mild spring days, balmy summer evenings and winter snows are the exception, rather than the rule. But for some reason, Autumn always delivers. The leaves fall off the trees, the days get shorter and there’s a little extra nip in the air that means I can crack out my winter woollies again… at this time of the year, I can even forgive the incessant rainfall. Almost. Anyway, this little guy is carrying a bundle of fallen leaves, and is decked out in all the cosy colours of the season. I had a great time going through an old children’s book about trees in search of ideas for leaf shapes…