My memory of not just an American patriot but a patriot of humanity!
There is so much I could say so I thought it best just to talk about the beginning and let thoughts follow from there.
• I had just arrived from the UK in 1987 and was 23 years old. I been picked up from the airport by Alec to take up my new post as Chef at the Inn. I had initially thought that I would have been staying in a hotel but during the journey from the airport Alec told me he thought it was a good idea ‘to stay with my brother’ to help me get acclimatized to my new surroundings etc etc. Inside I was slightly worried that here I was going to be staying in a house with the boss’s brother. I thought, oh no I am really going to have to be on my best behavior . To tell the truth it stressed me out a little but of course manners forbade me to say anything. We then arrived at Orchard Cove on a dark Vermont night.
We went in to the living room and for the very first time I clapped eyes on Marshall. He was sat at his kitchen table with his John Deere cap on sipping a rolling rock. I was met with broadest and most genuine smile
I had ever seen in my life. I think Marshall could tell I was nervous. After the introductions Alec left pretty quickly and before anything else Marshall said to me, ‘fancy a beer’. My luggage was still in the hallway and I hadn’t even seen my room. The next morning my luggage was still in the hallway and I woke up on my bed already a different person. I had been blessed by my first night in the company of the great man!!! I hadn’t seen a CD before then, only vinyl. During the course of the evening I had attended one of the best parties ever and there were only two people present!! There were many other guests who came in and out during the course of the party. To name but a few we had,
Bruce Springsteen
The Who
The Rolling Stones
Steve Winwood
Neil Young
ZZ Top
Even the Bee Gees!!!
And the amazing ‘fire’ by the ‘crazy world of Arthur Brown’.
I was even treated to a live concert with Marshall’s amazing rendition of La Bamba by Ritchie Valens,!! I had never experienced anything like this in my life before..To quote Marshall ‘it was a total gas’!! The die was cast, I had found the big brother I never had!! After getting acclimatized the next day and seeing the Inn properly following the renovation Marshall said we should go out to grab a bite to eat. He said he knew a nice little Mexican place on Shelburne Road called Amigos. I had never eaten Mexican before. Marshall said have you tried Corona before, I said no. Marshall said have you tried tequila before, I said no!!! We went back to Orchard Cove and we’re once more joined by Springsteen, The Who and even Robert Plant on the second night! The third night it was the legendary X Rays at Nectars with a hot open Turkey sandwich,!! The fourth night the ‘Dakota Cut’ prime rib at the sirloin Saloon preceded by the most amazing salad bar!! I had truly arrived in the USA!!! Little did I know that this first three days were to be the start of me becoming a man and learning from the ‘university of Webb’ how it was to be a good person. I even had a subscription to Rolling Stone magazine within a week!!! My confidence grew and I really started not to bother that there was no curtain on the circular bathroom window, just a curtain on the door to the bathroom!! This was life and how to live it with a constant positive outlook. It wasn’t just party central. I saw and learned about Shelburne Farms and all Marshall’s favourite places. I learned to water ski, I learned to love baseball(but not the Red Sox!), I learned to make the best salad dressing, but above all I learned how to respect nature and my fellow human beings. I was almost sad when the apartment at the Inn was ready. And then I remembered, my new friend and mentor didn’t do sad!!! He would always take the positive route and so would I!! Something I still do even 37 years later. Marshall’s spirit will continue to live on and there is no finer legacy than Shelburne Farms, a truly unique wonderful and special place. We all mustn’t be sad today, we should all be eternally thankful we were blessed, each of us in our own individual ways by the greatest of human beings!!
Love you Marshall
Katy, Emily, Juliet, Molly, Lila, Sarah, Diana & Alec
Xxx
David Taylor
Lodge Manager
CORROUR
Corrour Lodge
Corrour Estate, by Fort William
Inverness-shire
PH30 4AA