Think of this post as a celebration of optimism. A Spring Flower Show highlights the very best of what is conceived and developed and grown; it offers insights into the imagination of the growers, the landscapers, the designers and even the future ... the school gardens. Consider this a metaphor for our hopes and dreams and aspirations as parents and grandparents for our kids and grandkids. We want to support them to be as wonderful and inspirational and unique as they can be ...
Like the bird guides, there was a program for the Flower Show so please don't get any silly ideas that my thumbs have suddenly turned greenish ... I just marvel at the variety on show - of colour, texture, skill, imagination; especially the colour ... when green is so many shades; yellow fades and glows in the same space; white becomes cream which blends to something darker; purples and lilacs and even blues; the strength and richness of the reds and maroons ... then there are all those blends and shades I see but struggle to describe ... so enjoy what has been chosen to show you a glimpse. Imagine if you can, though, being surrounded on all sides by this, whichever direction you turn. Sensory overload!
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| Chrysanthemum Display |
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| And the winner is ... |
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| "Giant" begonias |
Then there were lots of different themed displays not just flowers (don't worry more flowers later too) ...
Like I promised, some more flowers too (including a rose display ... it is England afterall!) ... and what you should consider is that we had not moved outside the first pavilion yet :) ... so we will move outdoors very soon (in case it rains)!
So we headed out of the first pavilion to get some coffee and explore all else that was on offer. Deb & Ruth wanted to go and listen/watch some TV presenters talk about flower arranging and things like that (I almost didn't write "things" then, and I had to write "things like that" because I had switched off :) and Sean was keen to check out the vintage car display. We agreed to meet in a couple of hours, so truthfully, I have no idea what the ladies did! The vintage care display was quite something. No photos, but there were some magnificent, gleaming Bentley's Rolls Royces, Rileys, Aston Martins, Austins, Morris' and Minis among many others. And quite some tales to go with some of them too! Some people just have too much money!
Eventually we found our way to some of the outdoor garden displays. Here is a sample. I could find them in the program and include some story about each one, but just enjoy the pictures :) ... they do a little justice to the effort and imagination at least. Starting with four School gardens ... the final picture showing the "bubble, bubble" (literally!) perspective of one School garden theme!
Then there were the grown up designs - those who take it very seriously and make their living and reputations showing off their skills ... happy to show the full suite if anyone is interested when we are home :).
And after another coffee and ice cream break, the ladies attended another TV gardener's presentation about arranging something (photo this time of the grandmas conversing with the "something" between them after the segment was done ... a wedding theme? Then a couple more photos of the roses and lavender in the garden where the presentation was held and the nearby olive trees potted up ready for any buyer's garden - Sean and I couldn't decide if these were failed attempts at Olive Bonzai they were trying to offload :) ... yep, grandad humour!
What else ... well lots. But the day was drawing to an end and a big nasty looking thunderstorm was brewing so we began heading for the exit. So here are a few final reminders of the riot of spectacular colour nature provides for us ... in various forms, beginning with a glimpse of some of the (many) others wondering if it might be time to head for the cars.
Concluding, as I began with my favourites, the tulips ... whichever way you look at them, from whatever angle, they are drop dead gorgeous (even the ones a little over-dressed!).
And then the thunderstorm hit and the rain bucketed down through the buffeting wind. We made it to the car and eventually back to Newmarket and spent the night at Ruth & Sean's before making it back to the Dairy Sunday ... and the transformation of Lodge Farm and the surrounds of the Dairy with spring life will follow ... it is every bit as remarkable, if different.
We had a wonderful day.
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