Time out in the park...

But, that's exactly what I did when I got the chance to survey the grounds at the Beech Hill Country House Hotel.

I suppose I should qualify that really, because, apparently, it is well-known that the Former President never actually slept and spent the night playing card games.

His first visit was in 2001 and he returned in 2004.

My visit just so happened to coincide with the recent spectacular good weather, which meant I got to have a tour of the grounds as well.

What I didn't know was that the grounds are actually open to members of the public to walk through and enjoy even though they are not paying guests of the hotel or restaurant. If you have time on your hands and visitors you want to impress, it is an inspirational spot.

If you've never been to the Beech Hill then you may not know that in February 1942 the US Navy established its first base on this side of the Atlantic Ocean on the banks of the River Foyle.

Crucial role

While their ships may have played a crucial role in the North Atlantic operations, the Navy and US Marine personnel left their stamp on the landscape and not least in what has become known as 'The Memory Tree' (more of which shortly).

The Marines were ordered to provide security for America's new military base, and as a result, around 750 Marines found themselves guarding the Navy base and othe rvital installations in the area.

They became known as 'The Irish Marines' and were billited in the grounds of the Beech Hill, hence the proliferation of fascinating artefacts which decorate the morning room at the hotel, not least of which is the wall-to-wall gallery of black and white photographs. Most of the photographs were taken in the grounds of the Hotel at the time of their billet, and more were taken in the City.

A digitalised archive is in the process of being established for people to use, including historians, scolars, visitors from overseas. The installation will include computers for research purposeson the US Marines as well as the Navy during WWII, and will include uniforms and other memorabilia from the Marines National Archinves in the USA.

A short walk from the 'big house' are the remaining Nissan huts that the military personnel wre billeted in, which have been beautifully preserved, and the occupants ate, slept and trained in the now pristine grounds. It is amazing to think as I wander round the grounds that this perfectly peaceful place was the first US base in the west since the beginning of the war, and in fact it was the most advanced base they had in Europe.

A family home

More curious still is the fact that until about 20 years ago the Beech Hill was a family home. Most recently it was owned by the Nicholson family of Newbuildings. Prior to 1872 the house was owned by the Skipton family. The first house was built in 1622 beyond where the river runs through the grounds, by a man called Alexander Skipton, but he did not live to enjoy it as he was shot in a land ownership dispute with another family. His family had been due to move into the mansion the next day. So it was that Alexander's son, Capt Thomas Skipton, took up residence in 1638, but they wre forced to flee three years later under cover of darkness due to the rebellion of the time. The orignial house was burned to the ground, but in 1661 the Captain built a new house, Skipton Hall, and the family livd there until 1688 and the Siege, when the retreating army reduced that mansion to ashes. Thomas's son and heir, Capt Alex Skipton continued to live on the estate in an outhouse until he died in 1704.

The currently house was built in 1739 by his son, Capt Thomas Skipton.

Skirting round the back of the house with its new wing I find myself on a shady path being serenaded by birds overhead, with the summer drone of a lawnmower in the distance. Apparently the birdsong in the evening has to be heard to be believed, and for nature lovers there are plenty of bats, squirrels and fish in the 'lakes', herons that cometo the grounds to fish...but my main mission in takeing the back road to to find 'The Memory Tree'. It is an enorous beech tree and traditionally during WWII before they went on to battles in Europe the Marines once they finished their training and were about to sail from the port in the city, used to carve their initials in the tree.

Tradition

What is curious is that the names go right the way up the tree because the tree has grown with the names on it - so you can see names 30 feet and more above you. This tradition has been kept on by subsequent visitors from the US and the military - hence the more modern additions carved into the trunk of the mighty beech. It is poignant to think that some of the young men who carved their name on the tree left here to die in combat, and the faint names and initials on this tree became the last tangible mark they made while alive.

In reflective mood and dappled in sunlight I set off for the lakes and the great water wheel that I passed as I drove in. Today the wheel is idyllic, bathed in warm sunshine, fish are vying for shady spots in teh water while small birds and insects go about their harvesting oblivious almost to my presence.

Not that long ago, during a bout of really stormy weather a torrent of fast flowing water sent the water wheel turning so fast that some of the spokes flew off and shot 40 feet into the air, right past the restaurant windows (which face out onto picturesque scene.)

Although some 'big names'like Tommy Hilfiger have patronised the Hotel over the years, my walk is uneventful in terms of 'sightings', but the gorgeous weather and the breathtaking scenery have more than made up for that, and all too soon I become conscious of the fact that it's time to get back to the grindstone.

What I know is this, this is going to be the first of many walks I take here...