Hampton Court Flower Show

A Few Lasting Effects ...

My visit to Hampton Court Flower Show yesterday (Tuesday 4th) has had some lasting effects ...

(1) When it’s very hot (over 30º) SIT DOWN – preferably by the side of a river with your feet in the water! Don’t spend 4 hours walking miles and miles through floral displays, show gardens and products stands ... it may be a feast for the eyes but it kills the feet!

(2) Driving in London is like no where else on this planet (luckily I wasn’t driving!) Basically motorcyclists have there own rules – whether that means weaving in between the traffic or whether it means simply going off the road and motoring down the footpath ... they just don’t care!

(3) There is just not enough money on this earth to buy everything you want to at the Flower Shows ... so set yourself a budget and get inspiration if nothing else!

(4) Remember you’ll be mixing with specialist growers – so if you’ve got a question to ask don’t be afraid ... plant growers are passionate about the plants they grow so are happy to spend ages answering your questions. This also means ...

(5) The huge marquees full of plant displays are often the best places to get your hands on new species if plants, hard to find varieties and certainly some really healthy plants for your house or garden. And because most – if not all – the plant growers have a display as well as plants to sell you can see exactly how the plants will look in a garden situated if grown to their best potential.

(6) If you can carry it – take your own food and drink. Flower shows may have loads of food stands but you do pay over the odds and have to queue for ages!

(7) Remember ... men have their uses and especially so at flower shows ... they can drive you there, carry the rucksack with your packed lunch ... and if well trained you can leave them somewhere to look after all the goodies you buy whilst you wonder around the show find even more things to buy!