Chelsea

We've been away. First we went to the Chelsea Flower Show in London. Then we had a few days in Salisbury - I wanted to see Stonehenge. Then we went back to London, to look after Littlest Granddaughter's guinea pigs while she and her parents were visiting the other grandparents. 

Chelsea was lovely, particularly as we had Daughter 2 with us. We've been before, and knew what to expect. There are innovative show gardens - not always quite what we'd design ourselves, but interesting. There are always tall people at the front of the crowds, but if you're patient, the people in front of you eventually go away and you can get a good view. To be honest, you get a better view from watching it on television, but the atmosphere isn't the same. Sadly, the general public doesn't get to walk into the actual show gardens - wander along the paths, sit in the seats - but you can get pretty near to them.

This is a seaside garden, purportedly - this is supposed to be a dune, with thrift and other coast-tolerant plants, though frankly I've yet to see a dune with anything like this variety of plants in it. But, you know: artistic licence. 

I can't now remember what the theory behind this one was...

or this,

but I love these poppies. 

For me, though, probably the best bit is the show tent, where lots and lots of specialist growers make displays of their best plants, giving you hope that some day, you might achieve something similar. I do love streptocarpus - look at all the different varieties. 

These lilies smelt wonderful. 

Of course, they're all prepared to sell you plants and bulbs, and of course we bought some. 

Lovely, lovely clematis. 

This Gertrude Jekyll rose has a wonderful scent. I must get one. 

 And who doesn't love peonies? Well, probably someone. But not me. 

So that was the first day.