Tuesday 25 May
Glyn has told me this morning that I look, and I quote 'knackered' and it does appear that my eyes have been replaced with very small peep holes that I'm struggling to see through at the moment. If that what spending a day in London in the heat does for you, then I'm probably best staying at home!
What a day though, my first ever visit to Chelsea Flower Show and there's me, on Press Day mingling with the glamorous and beautiful people who I have to say, most of them haven't a clue about the real world but heh, it's good that we're all different. Having never been before, not sure what I expected but I was told beforehand that it is small, I would describe the show as compact and convenient but glad I went when I did as once you add people to the equation, the description I imagine would immediately change to cramped and claustrophobic. The gardens are immaculate, the setting tranquil (when you think where it is) and it was lovely to be part of it especially when the experts are calling this year a triumph. It did feel at times like I was in a mass 'look a like' competition but we had the real thing, one minute you would see a pop star, then a model, actress and then the gardening stars of the show Alan and Joe, mssrs Titchmarsh and Swift, at least they're 'normal'. I did experience a few people wondering whether I was who they thought I was and I could see a glance towards my badge that immediately dismissed any thoughts towards a certain Sandi Togsvig! My dad used to get the same when they thought he was Harry Worth.
It was a bit hot, and I did find myself looking at those gardens which included a water feature with thoughts of being able to use their service for a bit of cooling down. I did know the designer of one garden from Gloucestershire who sadly only had a small trough which to be honest, I'd struggle dipping a toe, needless to say I advised him to go bigger next year!
It was a long day with having to be up at four in the morning to get the train for just after six, then returning home at seven thirty in the evening, but it was lovely to spend time in our capital city and to experience the premier gardening show of the year, but it was even lovelier to return to open fields, animals grazing and our little haven including the weeds, now that would give them something to talk about!
