We found a Secret Garden or was it an Adventure in Wonderland?

The other thing putting a smile on my face in Port Meadow on Monday was discovering a gate on the bank of the river. We ventured in, and it led down a windy path through arches, webbed with garden lights into a beautiful garden, graced with weeping willows. It was like stepping into a Mediterranean garden and yet it had an oriental twist and at the same time something very English about it! Curious, even a little bit mad! So we weren't surprised to discover that it had formed part of the inspiration for Lewis Caroll (Charles Ludwig Dodgson) to pen Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. I don't think we would have been surprised had a white rabbit run past on hind legs examining his watch and uttering curses about his tardiness.

We had stumbled across the garden of the 17century Perch Inn in Binsey that is reputed to be haunted by a sailor! I've often wondered why Binsey is called the treacle mines locally, and now can appreciate the Alice connection.

It was a lovely lunch, delicious food, especially the Iced Valrhona Chocolate Parfait White Chocolate Mousse and Roasted Almond Milk, mmmm, excellent service and beautiful setting. Even better because of the happy serendipity. We could have just soaked up the atmosphere all afternoon.