h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm really going to enjoy the Hampton Court Flower show this year.

I'm not able to go this year.

It's a good show - and you can actually buy plants there
I learnt the hard way that it's better to leave the credit card at home and only take as much cash as I can afford to spend

And I'm going on the last day so I should be able to get sell-off stuff too We are going on public transport so I can only buy what I can actually carry - this is the theory anyway.

My uncle was well impressed when I told him I had tickets for the 9th July, until he realised that I wasn't talking about some other small event taking place on the same day...

I'm sure you'll have a great time. I wish I lived someplace where there are actual things to do.

Good idea that - make it a real pain in the hinterland to transport stuff. It should save you a fair bit of money!

Never been to one of those shows myself. Well, once in the States, but I was working at it, and it was far from fun. Last year I was going to head over for a look at Chelsea, but the spirit was willing, but the finances weak.

Well, have fun!

Well, there will be me, my mum and J - all of whom are able to carry at least one thing... But on the other hand, J will be there and constantly complaining about spending money on flowers so we should settle on a happy compromise.

I'm looking forward to it - I found Chelsea very busy and it was frustrating not to be able to buy plants. I'm hoping it won't be as busy as that, and I've wandered around the grounds of Hampton Court many times so am looking forward to seeing it ready for the show.

Tickets? The ninth?


Oh... flowers.


* wanders off again *

Very dear Kelli,

How wonderful for you. I have never been to Hampton Court but I believe that it is super.

Eating worms? I wonder why ?

Take care
Christiane AR1

Well I had a wonderful time and got some really lovely plants in the sell off at the end of the day

All the plants I bought were on my wish list and I only actually spent about £30 so J is chuffed.

I got a blue spikey thistley thing that I can't quite be bothered to look up the name of just now, some interesting grasses (partiularly like the zebra grass), and a glorious white-flowered Agapanthus

We rounded off the evening with a visit to my uncle who lives near Hampton Court so it has generally been a thoroughly pleasant day.

Sounds like a terrific day. Did you go on the train like you'd planned?

Uncle said we could park at his place so we drove - glad we did in the end becuase they fed us well so it was a positive bonus to be able to head straight home rather than have to wait at train stations. Am *really* knackered now though!

I liked Hampton Court much better than chelsea - it seemed friendlier and you could walk around most of the show gardens, although the gardeners weren't so assiduous about labelling the plants. There weren't quite as many show gardens but lots of small exhibitors. Next time you visit you'll have to time it to coincide with this one Hyp!

Teuchter said she liked Hampton Court better than Chelsea, too. I'd love to seee it, but it will have to be after I retire. There's no way I can travel that far in July because of all my summer kids programs.

Actually, I'm planning - barring some unexpected financial difficulties - to attend the January meet in London. Especially if they set it for the 3rd Saturday rather than the 2nd one. I've wanted to attend a London meet ever since I joined h2g2. So I decided to stop being jealous of the folks attending and just do it!

That would be brilliant Hyp!

Oh, but I just realised I'll be about 7 and a half months gone by then so may not but up to the journey in

Since I've never been pregnant, I can't tell you how I felt at that point. I think it's an individual thing. We'll wait until closer to the meet and if you don't think you can make it into London, then I'll try to meet you someplace closer to your house for a cup of tea and a good natter.

Phew - that would be fab

Ooh, you got an agapanthus .

I love Hampton Court Flower Show (never been to Chelsea). I do feel just a wee bit jealous that I couldn't go this year (I normally go with the MIL, who's a member of the RHS. But she was busy. Heigh ho). Not that I bahve a grden to put anything IN if I did go, but I like playing 'When I win the Premium Bonds and have a big house in the country...'

Will you be able to afford full-time gardeners, Ag? That's what I live for.....the day I can afford a gardener to do all the grunt work for me.