Chelsea Smile

Well the long awaited event finally happened  and it was definitely one of the holiday highlights and will be remember for a very long time. It was the long anticipated the Chelsea Flower Show, and what a treat it turns out to be. A little slow in starting off but once into our stride it turns out to be a fantastically well organised event and an absolute assault on the senses. Never have we been exposed to so much flora in one place and it takes some time to get a grasp of which displays are the competitors and which are the merchandisers! 

Finding a neat source of nasal antagonisation we share with everyone else, we move amongst a serious crowd intent on seeing what some clever designers have been able to do with some plants, some sticks and some stones! Serious gardens from some very clever people and it seems never to end. Five hours later we end up back in Sloane Square where we find a refreshing wine and the news that we qualify for a complimentary rickshaw ride to see what local businesses (we are talking Tiffany, Cartier, Zara, Mont Blanc et al) have done to continue the floral theme. 

Not to be disappointed, Mary stumbles across the shop that won the local competition and who are offering complimentary garlands the offer of which is readily accepted and promptly posted to FaceBook! Along the way some retail activity is encountered but modest enough not to upset the single bag policy adopted at the outset of this adventure. All in all, it is agreed that the Chelsea Flower Show is a highlight and a must-see for anyone travelling to London in May. We had another treat thrown in with the Baron Knights playing. Some of you may remember them from their hey day but suffice it to say they don't look anything like they did but they had the crowd rocking and a rolling.

The evening finished nicely with fab grub ( English speak) at the local pub with Warren.