Last week I had a day at Chelsea flower show, my fifth consecutive year of visiting.
Whilst I delight in the show gardens, there seems to be more similarities in planting than in previous years. Some of the structures and use of materials are awe inspiring and that’s what makes the ‘show’ element I suppose.
I love the balcony and container area as they can be easier to enjoy and adapt in more relatively modest gardens.
The Pavilion hosts a stunning array of plants, vegetables and this year I noticed an area for advice and information.
The outside areas also showcase greenhouses, water features, pots, structures and also so many choices for some things garden related and some not so.
This year was busier, I felt, possible as we went on a Wednesday rather than Tuesday. A lot of stop, starting, being very British in ‘queueing’ to move forwards to the front to get a better view or a photo opportunity.
We were lucky with the weather, in the main it was dry, and we only had to take cover once.
There was our obligatory Chelsea Pensioner photograph, with Elaine now joining the group.
We left to walk back to our hotel, The Other House in South Kensington. It rained intermittently and we arrived not too bedraggled, and although there were a few minor issues, they were resolved and an offer a complimentary drinks were duly accepted.
Dinner was booked at a nearby Indian, Pravaas and it was superb. Food, service and company were fantastic. The walk back to the hotel was broken up with a pit stop at a nearby pub, and we returned to our rooms for a good night’s sleep.
My little life 