From the sublime to the ridiculous

 

‘In life, things that are noble and magnificent are never far from things that are trivial and laughable’. This saying has been attributed to both Napoleon Bonaparte and the French statesman Talleyrand.

 

Our morning is sublime. Due to some pre planning several months ago we spend the day on a small tour of the Highgrove Garden surrounding the country home of King Charles III. Charles was a very early adopter of the organic and sustainable agricultural and horticultural practices that we use on Penguin Hill Farm. Everything about the place is tasteful, elegant, understated and beautiful. The garden is resplendent with azaleas, rhododendrons and an incredible four acre wildflower meadow, which is hand scythed every summer. Hundreds of trees, topiarized hedges and a magnificent flowering wisteria, which clings to the walls of the house, add to the vibe. There are some weeds growing in the path and in various garden beds… but that is part of

the organic philosophy allowing for diversity and the absence of any weed killer. Not surprisingly Highgrove remains the King’s happy place. Cameras are banned, but the garden includes fascinating and sometimes quirky treasures collected from around the world such as a pavilion given by the Sultan of Iman and the tree house used by Harry and William as kids. Lunch in the Orchard Room is regal and very reasonably priced. Tea, in an English china cup and saucer accompanied by scones with jam and cream complete a meal fit for a king. In the gift shop we buy six eggs produced organically from Highgrove’s rare breed, free range chickens. Scrambled eggs for dinner are delicious. All the proceeds from the tours, gift shop and restaurant flow to the King’s Foundation which supports the maintenance of historic artisan and craft skills. All class. Sublime!

 

On the way home we drop into Jeremy’s place, that is Clarkson’s Farm, featured in the popular Prime TV series of the same name. This farm is the exact opposite of our idea of the good life. The farm shop known as Didley Squat Farm Stall is tiny and the queue, just to get into the store, numbers in the hundreds. We don’t even bother trying as the wait would be over an hour. Attached to the farm shop is a barn set up as a bar selling over-priced and unappealing fast food with all the proceeds of this obviously successful venture probably supporting the ‘Make Jeremy Even Richer’ fund.’ The crowd looks like the audience from Top Gear, decorated with tattoos, body piercing and bling. The vibe is brash and commercial, the language colourful. The whole place looks disorganized, oversized and obtuse reflecting the culture of the Balmy Army. We decide against using the unclean porta-loo, purchase nothing and flee trusting we have not been contaminated with artificial fertilizer or chemical sprays. All very crass. Ridiculous!

 

Leo Tolstoy in War and Peace said; ‘From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step’. For us today, it’s about a 40 minute drive.