Maybe we should title this blog. Viewing The Competition.

We are all influenced by our friends, our neighbours and families (for better or worse), and we were. Waking on Friday June 23^rd. proved be to one of those fresh beautiful early summer mornings. A few days earlier Sheffy, a friend of ours, wrote to tell us of an eventful day spent with her husband watch cricket, meeting friends and generally enjoying our British summer and taking advantage of the freedom one has when ones family has flown the nest.

I have never been a keen gardener but someone who enjoys sitting in our garden with a glass or three. A garden that has been designed for “low maintenance” – in other words all lawn with a few trees.  A young friend of ours met and fell in love with a Scott’s lassie and the pair got married earlier this year. Mairi is a keen gardener and photographer. So we have been following their progress in trying to convert a wilderness into a colourful garden full of smells, bells and flowers. Based in the Midlands I have never realised how difficult it must be in their micro climate to grow anything. The leaning trees, snow on the ground when we went to the wedding in late April and the “Ice” sign posts should have given us a clue. But never the less the pair struggle on and have transformed the land to a beautiful garden. 

With these two very much in mind we decided to go the RHS show at Tatton Park, Cheshire. It proved to be one of those memorable days, not too expensive but one of those occasions where one comes away – inspired, full of ideas, and good intentions.

We knew we were in for a special day when parking the car we saw these charming fellows grazing near the cars. Everywhere you looked in the field car park people were sitting by their cars, picnic tables out, enjoying a snack before re-entering the hustle bustle of the show.

We were pleasantly surprised to see a number of these in use as we made our way through the field.

The show was extremely well laid out and catered for every need with all amenities at hand even mobile cash dispensing machines, attend by well mannered helpful staff, rather like the NatWest add seen on TV

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The tills were maintained with someone at hand to sort out any queries that may arise.

The day was full of memorable Shots, Smells and Sights. The prize winning exhibits were spectacular; this one was full of features crammed into a relatively small garden (35ft. x 24ft.)  The three "snaps" don't go anywhere near portraying the splendour of the many views  one  sees.

 The lower deck that is looked over from the covered sitting/dining area, gives the feeling of being at peace with the world. The perfect retreat.

This is the centre section with a slightly raised roofed sitting area

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Can you imagine opening a patio door and walking into an outdoor room?  I must admit it was the hammock that drew me.

Alright!  We have never been to a flower show before, so all that walking, fresh air, scents, blooms and the atmosphere of the place, meant we came away exhausted – Two stunned bunnies, and have since had the best night.s sleep in a long time.  

One Items we did see work was this holiday watering system .  We started to sell these earlier in the year, confirming to me at least, that ours is extremely good value, and that it is worth stocking as the demand would lollow if the benefits are made clear. It's ideal if leaving your plants for a week. You can be safe in the knowledge that they will survive and not miss you. Unless you usually chat to them every day. In fact we have just shipped a few out to Spain.

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