I: Steven Cunio

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June 8th, 2003 - Tatton Park with David [Previously] [Update]

Last weekend I had a relapse with my back giving out as I had gone down to Lia's. I simply stretched after driving 200 or so miles and I couldn't walk. The pain was excruciating. The bottom of my spine seemed to be balanced on a pin head with any move in any direction causing searing pains. I could not walk, I couldn't sit, I couldn't move to lie down. I simply had to keep in one position and getting to that position took minutes when it used to take fractions of a second.

I had travelled back late gaining a little mobility with great use of the walls and props. A week on and my back was still sore but bearable. I had immediate accupressure treatment by my good friend and Lime colleague Phil Burgess. It helped relieve the pressure and let me move around more.

The weekend with David was therefore a right off for camping but we still managed to get out and about. Off we trundled to Tatton Park on our National Trust card. I was really keen to see the Japanese Gardens.

The Adventure Playground
First port of call was the adventure playground where David went on the tyre swing and I took a little video clip of that. We then went on the very low key assault course. Walking various planks and things. That nicely out of David's system we decided to go look at the shops and perhaps get a bite to eat. The food was a bit pricey so we raided the shop that sells goodies made in Tatton Park and the local community. We bought some breadsticks and salmon spread. Oh and some brandy snaps that I hadn't had for ages!

The Mansion
It was a rainy day so we took shelter under some trees and had a snack before going into the mansion. With our card we got in for free and had a great look around the house. It was immense and David loved the attention to detail in all the pieces. Something you don't see nowadays.

The Gardens
We then went looking for the gardens which we eventually found opposite the shops. It's a bit weird as you have to go through some buildings to get to them and that foxed us for a while!

Paddling pools and all shapes of plants and hedges are throughtout. Fountains and hidden seating makes for a sense of secrecy, fun and adventure. We walked through trees and sat in huge giant hand like American Red Cedars. We got drenched by the persistant but light rain. It was wonderful.

We wandered on through the forest gardens and eventually found the Japanese Gardens, unfortunately closed. So petite and so entirely beautiful and serene. Fountains and streams crisscrossed the scenery. When we enquired we found that it was open only for guided tours on Saturdays and Wednesdays. We made a note to come back. The man also told us of the maze which David had found in the book and directed us to it.

The Maze
We were now running short of time but I figured we had time enough to do the maze. It is amazingly well laid out and quite confusing but we made it to the middle and took photos to prove it!

After puddle hopping our way out of the maze we made our way back to the car and read Danny Champion of The World by Roald Dahl on the way back to his mum's.