The Girls Go To Chelsea Flower Show

Where on earth should I start today? 

Should I tell you about the wildlife photography workshop that I attended at the National Trust property of Haddo House, my trip to London to celebrate my sister's birthday, the Chelsea Flower Show, or the Gardening Scotland Show to name but a few? 

I knew it was going to be tough to write a post after such a long break, especially with so much happening recently, but in my usual procrastinating way I delayed coming online for that very reason....even though I've missed blogging so much, (which I have to admit is a little scary) but the house is completely quiet and other than Mufftypup curled up near me I'm home alone! 
So there's no excuse...

Maybe I should just pick one and run with it?

How about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show? 

Visiting Chelsea Flower Show has been something that I've wanted to do for many years. 
I've often chatted with my sister and daughter about arranging a trip one day. 
So when I returned to the UK...it just had to be done. 
The timing was perfect, plus it was going to be my sister's special birthday so there was nothing for it...we had to go!
I should state here and now that when my sister and I get together there's giggles and laughter and this trip was no exception. My poor daughter had a lot to contend with and she tried to control us, although I secretly think she got as much out of the trip as we did...although alcohol may have helped.
But enough of that for now...(what goes on tour stays on tour eh? )

Lets take a look around at the gardens...

 I'm aware that I could go crazy posting masses of photos here, but there's only so many hours in a day and I'm not sure how long you're able to visit...so I'll edit as best I can. 
It's going to be tough though.

As we entered the show gardens we were thrilled to meet Monty Don filming for the BBC. 
("Monty" Don is an English television presenter, writer and speaker on horticulture, best known for presenting the BBC television series Gardeners' World)

Okay now here's a secret that I'm prepared to share with you...my daughter 'loves' Monty! It's true I'm not making it up. 
Ha! 
There backatcha sweetie for writing about taking 'The Olds' to Chelsea on your blog. 
(If you'd like to see some more of the show and get a different angle from a 'Youngie' then pop over to her blog by clicking here) I've had the foresight to strike up a deal that if any of my followers stop by and leave a comment then I'll receive payment in chocolate! 
Whoohoo
Anyway...back to Chelsea and some amazing sights that captured our attention

The first photo of the wellies (wellingtons/galoshes) was actually a shop outside the show ground but I just loved them. 
On to the Gorilla photo. This was just amazing because everything on this particular display was made with masses of tiny rosebuds.  
The fragrance permeating the air was incredible. 
There's even an elephant behind too. 
The third photo of the horse sculpture just stopped me in my tracks. 
As you may already know, I love wood but thankfully this fabulous sculpture was already sold. (Phew that was a close one!)
And finally the gorgeous lady in red with the fabulous floral bonnet. 
(No she's not my sister just in case you were wondering)
I can't show any photos of ourselves as most are not for public consumption. 
We're either crying laughing or as on a few photos for example when 'Operation Downpour' got underway look incredible...but not in a good way HA!
We wore green plastic poncho's and I'm now thinking green may not be my colour! 
(Eek...I've just had a thought that my daughter may get her own back on this, by posting a photo. She is in all the photo's too, but then she looks great in hers (sigh)

One thing that we noticed whilst visiting all the show gardens there was a general colour palette. I have decided to turn one of my borders into a Chelsea lookalike border. 
I'll post and show the results as and when.

I kept an eye out for Alan Titchmarsh but I didn't see him. 

Here's a photo of his garden below which he designed with Kate Gould named 'From the Moors to the Sea' to celebrate 50 years of Britain in Bloom and Alan's own 50 years as a professional gardener. It depicts Alan's gardening journey in England having begun on Ilkley Moor as a boy and at present on the Isle of Wight.

You may just be able to see the wooden signpost in the background which leads up to the moor part of the garden. There's also the beach to the left of the photo and the summer house which depicts the writing side of Alan's life now. 

Did I mention that I've actually met Alan before...in Aberdeen. 

It was a few years back at one of his book signing events. 

He was such a lovely man, so friendly and polite. 

I do have photos but they are the old fashioned kind and hiding in a box somewhere in my spare room, along with thousands of others that one day I hope to bring into the light once more. 

I really can't do justice here to all of the exquisite show gardens so maybe it might be best if you are wanting to see more then visit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show website. 

They do a much better job than me. 


I loved this first photo below on the left of Togenkyo - A Paradise on Earth designed by Ishihara Kazuyuki which won the award for Best Artisan Garden. 

It's beautiful with the water wheel and did you notice the fantastic moss balls on the wall. I've got plenty of moss in my garden but unfortunately nothing so artistic. 

The top right photo is the Gold winning Potters Garden (Monty was interviewing in this garden shown above). It was inspired by the WW1 centenary and the fabulous restoration of The Farnham Pottery at Wrecclesham. The detail in this garden was amazing from the tin hat collecting water to the bullets in the path. 

And finally the bottom right photo was one I took for my hubby. He's a keen cyclist and if you look closely there are wheel rims designed into the wall. 

Here are a few things that I wanted to bring home with me. 
I know the heron would have been a challenge because he was over six foot tall but the greenhouses were a definite no no! (sob sob)  

Although I did want to buy this beautiful greenhouse that's not me going inside...I had been warned that if I entered one more greenhouse, then I would be escorted out of the show ground. The Youngies can be ever so bossy at times especially when it's getting late and the tummy's rumbling. 

And finally the stars of the whole show...
The Chelsea Pensioners

(Photo courtesy of RHS Chelsea Flower Show website)
The Chelsea Flower Show is held within the grounds of the Royal Hospital which for over three hundred years, the Royal Hospital Chelsea has provided a welcoming home and a way of life for thousands of soldiers in their old age. 
Now I've only got to wade through the masses of information brochures that I collected during the day

It was as Wallace and Gromit might say...A Grand Day Out! 
I think it might be something that has to be done each year from now on.

Just a gentle reminder from a chocoholic...please remember that I could be knee deep in chocolate if you pop over to daughters blog ~ thanks!
 
WHOOHOO!  

A Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY ~ Friday 27th September 2013

Outside my window...I've waited and waited before completing this section of the Daybook by answering all the other questions first, because I was hopeful that the grey blanket that enveloped us this morning would lift...and so it has, just! The clouds are still low over the hills in the distance, but there are small pockets of blue appearing. I'm hoping that they expand. 

The sun has just peeking out but it seems very shy today. I'll wait a wee while before I head out with the lawn mower...I don't want to frighten it away. Oops it's gone again!

The field at the back of the house is still and empty with only the silent growing of the lush green grass now that the wheat has been harvested. I'm hoping that we may have lambs come to prance and bounce about in the spring. When we had our first year here we were privileged to have them come to stay and it was fantastic to watch their antics. There was never a dull moment. 

We've been lucky to have a couple of deer coming into the field grazing, which is so special. I'm hoping that they settle and stay for a while.  

The wild grasses on the peripheral of the field have dried out now, their seeds scattered by the wind and birds. 

The trees are still green although the night air grows chilly. There is just a yellowish tinges to a few of the upper most leaves. I'm looking forward to the autumn colours but not the lower temperatures. I suppose you can't have one without the other! 

The large black and white milk tanker has just passed down the lane after collecting today's milk from the local dairy farm. Seeing it pass when you need milk can be very frustrating! I want to stop him and syphen off a few pints...hehe.

If you want to see my view then click here although it's not today's view, but it is very similar other than the sky. The photo was taken on the 1st September.

For those who might be new visiting I am taking a photo on the first day of the month to show how it changes over the coming months.

I apologise if Muffy's snoring is distracting, but she's had a busy morning...up early for her walk, chasing the neighbour's cat down the lane, checking the garden for overnight intruders and meeting the boiler service/repair man! 

I am thinking...that I really must take time out today to thank everyone who visits my blog because without you I'd just be wasting so much time tapping away at my keyboard. I know how busy lives can be these days which makes the fact that people stop to read what I'm nattering about even more precious. For you to take the time to let me know they've been here is just the icing on top of the cake ;D 

I adore seeing that you have visited...yes even the ones that never comment...I know you are out there because my globe tells me, plus where you are in the world and how many times you've dropped by. I'm truly staggered by how many countries spread so widely across the globe come to my little part of the world. So if we have never chattered I'd just like to send you a huge thank you, in fact everyone gets a huge thank you today. Maybe one day you might be brave enough to say 'Hi'? 

I am thankful...for the above.

In the kitchen...Everything is tidy. There are no cakes or baking surprisingly enough, but that could be corrected soon. 

I am wearing...my working gear because I'm going to be like a turbo charged demon any second, charging through all my chores this morning. So at the moment it's joggers, long-sleeved t-shirt, and a fleece (yep I'm afraid so...well it's a little chilly sitting here until I get up and running). Anyway I needed them on this morning for McMuffty's walk. Don't worry I'll get dressed up after I've finished my jobs and showered ready for Friday night! Yay!

I am creating...a new home which is taking up all of my time. I desperately want to keep creating my art, but it's difficult to fit it in at times. But I WON'T give in to all the other demands...I will keep trying. I have visited a few little galleries this week and even chatted to some lovely artists. They have kindly given me lots of information about local classes that I will research over the coming week. I also want to carry on with drawing my cards and there's a few other ideas jumbled in my mind that hopefully will form an orderly queue. 

I am going...to continue to reaquant myself with the local area and what's out there. It's been strange because some things are so familiar to me but only once I've rediscovered them. They have been tucked away in my memory but more and more are resurfacing.  

I've got castles, parks, galleries, historic buildings and much much more lined up. Phew! 

I am wondering...well this is a strange one and maybe not one for you to read if you're having your breakfast or lunch! It's about poop! Well I did warn you but it's not as bad as you might be thinking...it's just that something come's into our garden each night and leaves a call card shall we say. I can't for the life of me work out what it can be. I've gone through the usual suspects cats, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, deer, etc and they just don't fit. I've even gone to google images to check! Did you know you can find poop images out there...yeah I agree it's so gross unless you need to know :( and I wish I didn't need to know. 

I forgive you if you want to move on to the next question but if there's anyone out there that might have a clue then please let me know. 

Now comes the description....
It's quite small green pellet like rounds in one pile all grouped together. The whole thing is about 2 inches in diameter max. I was thinking of posting a photo of it but thought that was pushing our friendship a little too far. I'd be interested to hear your verdicts...polite comments only please! 

I can't believe that I've put this in my post today, but it's really bothering me...Sorry now on to more pleasant things.

I'm reading...The Ivington Diaries by Monty Don

Monty Don and his wife Sarah moved into their semi-derelict farmhouse at Ivington in 1991. Their garden is the most tangible symbol of the spectacular way in which they have since thrived. Springing with amazing vigour from the soil behind the house, this space has been central to Monty's life; ever since he dug the very first border, he has obsessively written about it. The Irvington Diaries is a personal collection of Monty's jottings from the past fifteen years. Generously illustrated with his very own photographs, and beautifully packaged, this book promises to be one of the most delightful garden books ever published. 

Now I know why I love the month of May...just read Monty's eloquent description in the photo above. He discribes it so beautifully. Oh how I wish I could write like that.

About the Author: Born July 8, 1955 in Berlin, Germany. Montagu Denis Wyatt "Monty" Don is a British television presenter, writer and speaker on horticulture, best known for presenting the BBC television series Gardeners' World. He was brought up in Hampshire, educated at a variety of schools and at Magdalene College, Cambridge. 

He and his wife, Sarah, set up and ran a costume jewellery business in the 1980’s but the business collapsed, since 1988 he has worked full-time as a gardening author, journalist and broadcaster. 

If you'd like to read more about Monty click here. 

He also suffered a mini stroke in 1988 read here for more details about his incredible recovery. 

Monty has written many books so this one won't be my last.  

I am hoping...that my son's course hits the spot and keeps him on track. So far so good. He seems to be enjoying it which is wonderful. But I'll carry on crossing my fingers and toes just in case. 

I am looking forward to...getting my veggie plot under way. It's going to be a lot of hard work but I'm hoping that it will all be worth it. I love to go out into the garden to pick flowers to bring indoors, so to be able to nip out for a tattie (potato) or carrots for dinner will be brilliant. I think there's nothing better and it's so rewarding.

I know I need to start the preparations soon because there's such a lot to do and spring will be here soon enough. Did you notice that? I just skipped over winter with ease! 

Here's a photo of my latest pickings from the garden.

Around the house...there are a lot of spaces which needs to be filled. I'm not one for clutter or minimalism so I want to reach the right balance. There needs to be lots of shopping trips soon.

My favourite quote for today...Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you ~ Oscar Wilde

One of my favourite things...is a Friday night. It can be the simplest of nights just lighting the fire and candles, a good meal and a glass of wine, then settling down for a relaxing evening after a hectic week. My daughter sometimes travels from Edinburgh to stay for the weekend and then I'm a really happy bunny having all of my chicks in the one nest :D  

    

A few plans for the rest of the week: A bit of everything really...you name it and I'll probably be doing it! Well within reason obviously...no ski-diving this week! 

A peek into my day...we are organising a few extensions (Gasp)

Not the usual conservatory, garden room or even a greenhouse extension (those are on my to-do list) but bird nesting boxes. Since we arrived back to this property the bird population in our garden has grown exponentially. To carry on looking after their welfare I want to provide not only good food and water but safe homes to enable them to hang around and provide beautiful sights and sounds to be enjoyed by all. I've just got to work out where the best sites are located. It'll be an on-going project that hopefully we'll reap the rewards when spring comes.  

I'm wanting to put up owl boxes too because I've heard them calling so I know they're here. 

 So that's it for this week; I hope you enjoyed your visit and if it's your first time reading my day book entry, I hope you'll be back again soon.

Don't forget to pop over to The Simple Woman's Daybook and check out the other day book entries.

I can't believe that I've only just managed to write this Daybook for September...I nearly missed it!

 I hope to see you again soon...Have a wonderful week.

Have fun and hopefully the sun will shine for you!!!