On Saturday I visited The Poison Garden at Alnwick Gardens, Northumberland. It was the day's must-see for me. In some ways it was disappointing - this early in the garden year (or the poisoner's year?) there was very little showing through the soil and the Guide stuck to talking about what she could point out. The plants that require a Home Office Licence were locked away in greenhouses although they are displayed in 'cages' later in the year. But some of the Guide's stories relating to the plants stirred up some memories of things I have read and heard in the past, particularly in rural Essex.
What amazed me most was that the Guide told me that I was the only person who she had ever seen making notes! Its left me questioning whether other writer's don't see the link between places like this and inspiration. Maybe some writer's find out about nature, science and folklore online. But of course it could be that others have better memories and don't need to make notes!
