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Chelsea Flower Show Pics

Chelsea Flower Show – London in Bloom

Trip Over to London

It was a magnificent sunny, warm day for my visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in London. I couldn’t have planned it any better, especially as it was booked so far in advance. The Show is held over five days in May every year. I believe they are now planning on holding the show over six days to allow more people to visit, but less people on each day.

Getting there was a simple ride on the Tube to Sloane Square on the District or Circle Line. Then on exiting the station there are volunteers to answer any questions you have, and maps are on display to show you the short walk to the grounds of the Royal Chelsea Hospital, where the magnificent floral exhibition that is the Chelsea Flower Show takes over. Or, if you follow the crowd, you will get there very easily. As soon as you enter you will be surrounded by the colour and vibrancy of everything from the flowers, to the garden ornaments and sculptures, not to mention the exhibitors.

Pick a direction to head off and begin exploring. Wind your way around the outdoor sections, into the Great Pavilion when you need a break from the sun, just make sure you don’t miss a thing. Every little bit is worth seeing.

I am not a gardener, completely bereft of green thumbs! It was amazing to see all the displays, the flowers are all absolutely beautiful. The sculptures and outdoor ornaments are stunning, and there are stalls selling garden related things. I did buy a beautiful crushable, packable sun hat, and a raincoat, knowing the weather could change any day, which of course it did!




At Chelsea Flower Show time of year the whole of London seems to come to life with flowers, particularly on Sloane St and Kings Rd. But all over London, shops, hotels, restaurants and private homes all get involved in their own floral displays, so it is certainly worth walking all over London to see what you can find. Often you see crowds gathered admiring an amazing display they have come across in the streets.

There are a number of bars and eateries at the Chelsea Flower Show, and I noticed that Pimm’s is the drink of choice, so I joined in on that ritual while I had a very light lunch as I had pre-booked afternoon tea at the Drawing Room as a special treat. It was lovely drinking Champagne, eating beautiful tasty morsels and listening to harp music – a nice bunch of flowers on the glass table next to the harp player wouldn’t have gone astray! One for the Suggestion Box maybe? I followed up with a nice cup of tea before continuing to explore the exhibits. I also found that even with a booking at the Drawing Room there are no bathroom privileges, pick your timing, the global problem of queues for the Ladies exists here too!

 

After visiting the Chelsea Flower Show, if only I had a garden……….so inspiring!

Tickets and information are available from The Royal Horticultural Society website, where you can also become a member of the RHS. Depending on your gardening interest, there are various benefits in becoming a member, like special member only days. If you feel like treating yourself to afternoon Tea, or a Champagne Breakfast, make sure you book in to get everything on the day and time you book to go to the show. Of course, the earlier you buy your tickets, the more choices you have about the time to take tea.

While in London you might like to visit the beautiful Kew Gardens, take a walk from Camden Town along Regent’s Canal, or be part of London’s amazing history at the Tower of London or take a long walk around the East End and end up in a 800 year old pub. For a leisurely day out, catch a boat up the Thames to Hampton Court

Read the PostCards I wrote on my recent Trip Over to London, shorter stories and pictures of places I visited.

Book a tour on your Trip Over to London

Itinerary for my Trip Over to London

Flew from Sydney to London Heathrow via Singapore, with Qantas on QF1, then QF2 to come home.

Stayed at the Royal Overseas League in St James’s.

Picked up at Heathrow by Naz from Black Lane Limos.

Travelled around London using a Visitor Oyster Card.

My Solo Italian Aventure took me out to La Spezia, my base for exploring Cinque Terre, Porto Venere and Lerici. Staying @hotelfirenzelaspezia was ideal, just 50 mtrs from the railway station, and a short walk through La Spezia to the harbour, all methods of transport to easily get around are all nearby. The room was very comfortable and spacious, the buffet style breakfast was delicious, and the Terminus restaurant served fantastic meals.For more info about the hotels I stayed in on my Italian Aventure, click on the link to my website in the bio.#laspezia #italybytrain #hotelfirenzeecontinentale #hotelfirenzeecontinentalelaspezia #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling #solotrip #solofemaletravel #solomidlifefemaletraveler #seeeverythingdoeverything #hotelsinitaly #explorecinqueterre #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #passportready
Venice is beautiful in the sun 🌞, no matter where you look this watery paradise in amazing!! Can't wait to go back one day 💖#solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #madeinitaly #neverstopexploring #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #italytrip #seeeverythingdoeverything #Venice #grandcanal #veniceitaly #venicecanals #hotelrialtovenice
San Terenzo Castle has been looking over the town and beach since the 12th century, it has seen some stuff in it's time!! All around the base of the castle is full of kayaks storage and other small boats waiting for a summer out on the bay...#santerenzo #santerenzocastle ##santerenzobeach #medievalitaly #italianhistory #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #castles_oftheworld #kayaksandboats #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #historygeek #historicitaly #lookouttower #madeinitaly
Looking out from Cremorne Point on Sydney's North Shore, watch ferries go by, sailing boats, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, it's all there 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🥂..#sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneystyle #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldworldwithme #outonthewater #boatsboatsboats #sydneyweekend #sydneylocal #myhometown #sydneyaustralia #sydneynorthshore #sydneybythesea #sydneyinsummertime
A sculpture of a tree on the beach front in San Terenzo, in the Gulf of Poets, near La Spezia in Italy. It was a lovely place to amble around on a cool, cloudy day in early spring...#santerenzo #santerenzobeach #santerenzochedelgolfoepiubelfiore #santerenzolerici #treesculpture #artinpublicplaces #daytripfromlaspezia #beforetheseason #solotrip #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #italytrip #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly
Flowers are out and about on the Cremorne Point walk!! ..#cremornepoint #cremornepointwalk #sydneylocal #sydney #sydneywalks #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneystyle #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #sydneyweekend #sydneynorthshore #sydneybythesea #sydneyinsummertime #yellowflowers #pinkflowers #redflowers #sydneynativeplants
A great hotel in Venice for Solo Travellers with luggage, @rialtohotelvenice is easy to get to from the railway station or the airport with the vaporetto stop right outside on the Grand Canal. The staff are all lovely and so helpful. The location is perfect, at Rialto Bridge, you will always be able to find your way back, just keep following signs to Rialto!! I had the best time there looking out over the Grand Canal, either from my room or up on the terrace, it would be so easy to spend all your time just watching all the goings ever changing happenings on the Canal.I have written a story on my website about all the hotels I stayed in on my recent solo Italian adventure, all easy to access from transport, safe, friendly and comfortable. Click the link to my website in the bio.Not an affiliate, just giving my honest recommendations..#hotelrialto #hotelrialtovenice #grandcanal #hotelsforsolotravelers #solofemaletravel #solomidlifefemaletraveler #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #neverstoptravelling #italytravel #rialtobridge #rialtobridgevenice
Some of the places I visited on my solo Italian adventureTop row - Venice, Florence, SienaBottom row - La Spezia, Porto Venere, LericiFor info on where I stayed and how I got there, travelling solo with luggage, click the link to my website in the bio...#venice #basilicasanmarco #florence #pontevecchio #siena #sienabelltower #laspezia #portovenere #lerici #Italy #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #madeinitaly #neverstopexploring #traveltheworldwithme #italytrip #italianadventure #alianarchitecture #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historicitaly
More of beautiful Venice in Piazza San Marco and out on the Grand Canal💖#Venice #veniceitaly #grandcanal #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #madeinitaly #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #italytrip #seeeverythingdoeverything
Walking around Cremorne Point from Mosman Bay out to the point, with great views everywhere you look🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞...#cremornepoint #cremornepointwalk #sydneylocal #sydneycoastalwalks #blueskyandsunshine #walkinthesun #seetheworldthroughmylens #seeeverythingdoeverything #sydneyweekend #sydneynorthshore #sydney #sydneybythesea #sydneynativeplants #sydneyferries #sydneyharbour
The beautiful medieval city of Siena, one of my favourite places in Italy. It was the third place on my solo Italian adventure, I was made very welcome @relaisdegliangeli a lovely boutique hotel.....I could have stayed forever 💖#solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #madeinitaly #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #siena #sienaduomo #piazzadelcamposiena #medievalcity #medievalitaly #italianarchitecture #italianadventure
The next stop on my solo Italian adventure was La Spezia, I caught the train from Siena, one change along the way. That went well, I was a bit scared because there was only 6 minutes to change, but the train I was changing to came in on the other side of the platform I was on, perfect!! La Spezia was my base for exploring Cinque Terre and the surrounding area, I checked into @hotelfirenzelaspezia which was just near the station, and set off exploring the town and harbour...#laspezia #laspeziaharbourside #laspeziacentro #robertwagner #solotravel #italytrip #madeinitaly #traveladdict #travelinitaly #neverstopexporing #traveltheworldwithme #neverstoptravelling #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything
Returning to Florence was an amazing part of my solo Italian adventure, I still find it unbelievable that so much creativity came out of Florence, artists and fashion designers, and you can walk amongst all the history - perfetto💖#Florence #michelangelosdavid #italiansunset #aperitivo #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #madeinitaly
Only this tower was left standing after a WWll bomb hit Villa Pastine in Monterosso al Mare, it was recently restored and is along with the broken statue of Il Gigante in my previous post are a feature of the northern end of the beach....#villapastine #monterosso #monterossoalmarecinqueterre #monterossoalmare #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterre #solotravel #italytrip #madeinitaly #italianarchitecture #italianhistory #italianadventure #solotravelinitaly #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything
Manarola is the 2nd village in Cinque Terre as you head north, beautiful clear blue water along the rocky coastline. The hills rise steeply up into the grape growing terraces 🥂.Very easy to get to by train, or ferry, or for the more energetic, along the hiking trails! I wanted to walk some of the trails, but decided against it as my knee sometimes has problems and I had already really put it to the test on this holiday climbing thousands of medieval steps, I didn't fancy get stuck alone out on one of the trails. I didn't see many/any other hikers in early spring, although it would have been ideal weather for it.#cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterre #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #wineterraces #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #italianadventure #manarola #manarola5terre #manarolacinqueterre #manarolaitaly #cinqueterrecoast #seeeverythingdoeverything #madeinitaly #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #italyinearlyspring
Martin Place Christmas tree in Sydney CBD, seems to be a slight change from the usual covered in red and green beach balls, this year I think there are less of them, and a few pink ones have been introduced!! Come on Sydney, can we please have a new design? 🎄🥂🎅🎄🥂🎄#christmasinsydney #christmastree #martinplacesydney #martinplacechristmastree #sydney #sydneystyle #sydneylife #sydneycbd #sydneychristmas #sydneylocal #sydneyaustralia
After climbing up hundreds of steps on a narrow stone spiral staircase, the views were amazing from the top of the magnificent, medieval Siena Duomo..#Siena #sienaduomo #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #madeinitaly #traveltheworldwithme #italytrip #seeeverythingdoeverything
This is typical of the style of buildings along the waterfront in Lerici, they all have a great view out over the bay....#lerici #lericicoast #lericiitaly #italianarchitecture #italianhistory #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #colourfulbuildings #lacebalconies #walkalongthebay #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything
A few flowers on trees and hanging over people's fences on the local streets...#neutralbay #neutralbaylocal #neutralbayliving #sydneysnorthshore #orangeflowers #pinkflowers #streetsofsydney #sydneystyle #sydneystyle #sydneynativeplants #sydneyaustralia #sydneystreets #sydneywalks #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
It's all about eating.......🎄🥂🎊🎄!!#christmasinsydney #eatingseason #festivefoodandmood
So many flowers out and about in Sydney, all along the Cremorne Point walk. #cremornepoint #cremornepointwalk #flowers #redflowers #yellowflowers #pinkflowers #sydneyweekend #sydneynorthshore #sydneystyle #sydneylife #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneybythesea #sydneynativeplants #sydneyaustralia #sydneyinsummertime #sydneylocal #myhometown #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Christmas is coming to The Stand Arcade in Sydney, same decorations every year, but they always look good here 🎄🎄🎄#strandarcade #strandarcadesydney #christmasatthestrand #christmasdecorations #christmasinsydney #decorationsup #shoppinginsydney #myhometown #sydneylife #sydneystyle #seeeverythingdoeverything #sydneyaustralia #sydneychristmas #sydneycbd
I travelled by train between destinations on my solo adventure to Venice, Florence, Siena, Pisa, La Spezia and Cinque Terre. Very easy to use, booking through @trainline I became very adept at handling my luggage on my own, changing trains and enjoying hurtling through Italy in comfort. For more info on the art of train travel in Italy by clicking the link to my website in the bio..#traintravelinitaly #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #madeinitaly #traveltheworldwithme #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveladdict #travelinitaly #italiantrains #cinqueterre #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast
After arriving at Venice's Marco Polo Airport, I caught the Alilaguna Water Transport directly to Rialto, then when I left Venice by train to Florence, I caught the Vaporetto from Rialto to Ferrovia, the ferry stop at the station, then straight on to the train, suitcase in the gap between the seats, and off we went, so efficient. Very easy, even for an old chic like me on a solo Italian adventure!!🥂For more info on the art of train travel in Italy, click the link to my website in the bio..#venice #grandcanal #solotravel #traintravelinitaly #italiantrains #alilaguna #alilagunaferrytoairport #vaporetto #ferrovia #venicerail #venicetrainstation #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #outonthewater #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
In Florence I stayed @hotelatlanticpalaceflorence , just a short walk from the railway station, and an equally short walk to Duomo Firenze, Ufizzi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio. The roof top bar at the sister hotel, Hotel Machiavelli, 50 mtrs down the street has amazing views over Florence. In the hotel foyer is an amazing vase made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Italian Constitution in 1898. The city of unbelievable art and design starts right here in the hotel 🤩. The hotel is very comfortable, safe and serves a lovely breakfast to fuel you up for a day of exploring.For more info about the hotels I stayed in on my Solo Italian Aventure, click the link to my website in the bio.#hotelatlanticpalace #hotelatlanticpalaceflorence #hotelatlanticpalacefirenze #florence #duomofirenze #viewfromtheterrace #solotravel #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #italianadventure #madeinitaly #italianhistory #italytravel #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #solofemaletravel #solofemalemidlifetraveller
As the ferry leaves Mosman Bay as seen from the Cremorne Point walk, Sydney Harbour was sparkling all weekend🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞..#mosmanbay #cremornepoint #northshore #sydneyweekend #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneystyle #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #outonthewater #boatsboatsboats #sydneyferries #myhometown #sydneylocal
High up in Porto Venere on the Italian coast, just south of Cinque Terre, looking over the sea from the castle. Lovely place to visit and just a short bus ride from La Spezia..#portovenere #portovenereitaly #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #madeinitaly #neverstopexploring #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #italytrip #traveladdict #traveltheworldwithme #daytripfromlaspezia
All the classics of Florence, the Duomo, the bell tower, the view over the autumn coloured roof tops, Ponte Vecchio, Il Porcelllino, the Uffizi Gallery and sculptures in Loggia dei Lanzi. The legend is, if you rub the snout of Il Porcellino, you will return to Florence one day - it works!!💖 So I rubbed it again this visit - see you soon Florence 🥰! #florence #firenzeduomo #domesofflorence #loggiadeilanzi #loggiadeilanzifirenze #sculptures #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #madeinitaly #neverstopexploring #traveltheworldwithme #italytrip #italianadventure #alianarchitecture #ilporcellino #pontevecchio #pontevecchiofirenze #traveladdict
The curtains on this focacceria are made from real pasta, so clever!!! This is one of the little shops on the path in the ancient city of Porto Venere, inside the castle walls....#focacceriaportovenere #portovenere #portovenereitaly #pastacurtains #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #solotrip #italianhistory #madeinitaly #medievalitaly #italianarchitecture #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #experiencelifethroughtravel #traveltheworldworldwithme #daytripfromlaspezia #insidethecastlewalls
Moments in Venice, a few of my favourite things, from sunrise to cicchetti, and everything in between 🥂💖#Venice #cicchetti #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #madeinitaly #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #italytrip #seeeverythingdoeverything
Wandering around the water front area in La Spezia, people watching, boat watching,eating and a nice glass of wine at the end of a hard day site seeing 🥂!#solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #neverstopexploring #laspezia #laspeziaitaly #hotelfirenzelaspezia #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #italytrip #madeinitaly #traveltheworldwithme #italiandream #italianadventure
Pisa is a short train trip from my base in La Spezia, finally a lovely sunny day🌞!! Arriving in Pisa, after crossing the river, I walked up the main street, looked in a few shops, then wandered through a few piazza's until I caught my first glimpse of the Leaning Tower - amazing!!! The whole area was so well managed, all the lawns are there to keep people back from all the monuments, that way everyone can see, instead of just a few. A fantastic day trip💖#pisa #torredelpisa #torredelpisa #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #neverstopexploring #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #italianarchitecture #italianhistory #italytravel #italianadventure #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #experiencelifethroughtravel #traveladdict #daytripfromlaspezia
This appealed to me......in the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney. In reality it is an enormous work, but everything I see it a different size, it looks like something else. ...#artgallery #nswartgallerysydney #nswartgallery #artoftheday #artlover #explorethecityyoulivein #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldworldwithme #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal
The pond in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens, with glimpses of Sydney Harbour in the background....#royalbotanicgardens #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydneyinwinter #sydneylife #explorethecityyoulivein #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seetheworldthroughmylens #pondinthepark #walkinthepark #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourwalks
In Westfield shopping centre in Sydney CBD, all sparkled up a ready for Santa 🎅🎄🥂!!#sydneyaustralia #sydneylife #sydneycbd #Sydney #sydneychristmas #sydneychristmaslights #shoppinginsydney #christmasinsydney #christmasready #westfieldsydney
Sydney' Royal Botanic Gardens starting to come to life at the end of winter. It is still winter here, but we are having hotter weather that we get in peak summer, hopefully this doesn't mean we are in for a relentlessly hot summer 😳..#royalbotanicgardens #sydneyaustralia #sydney #sydneylocal #sydneyinwinter #sydneylife #explorethecityyoulivein #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #pondinthepark #birdinthetree #reflectiononwater #reflectiononwaterisbeautiful #whiteflowers #walkinthepark
All the wildlife came out to see the end of 2024, before their habitat gets taken over by human wildlife all looking for a fireworks watching spot for the big show at midnight on Sydney Harbour. Further around Cremorne Point the "No Alcohol" signs were all being put up, Porta loos were being put in place, home owners were putting up signs to ask people not to climb on the fences and garden walls - the price you pay to live in this beautiful area, one night of hell to start off every new year!!#cremornepoint #cremornepointwalk #seeeverythingdoeverything #sydneywildlife #sydneynorthshore #sydneystyle #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydneycoastalwalks #lizards #kookaburras #sydneybythesea #sydneyharbour #sydneyferries #boatsontheharbour
Pitti Palace in Florence is definitely worth visiting, the home of the Medici rulers of Florence in the middle ages, and they lived well. The enormous Palace has a fashion exhibition in some of the rooms, there are sculptures of the family everywhere throughout the palace and the acres of gardens.#pittipalace #palazzopittifirenze #palazzopittimuseum #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #madeinitaly #traveltheworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything #italytrip #neverstopexploring #italianadventure
The next stop on my recent solo Trip Over to Italy was Florence.....a train trip from Venice, a short flat walk to my hotel, and I was out exploring.....#florence #florenceitaly #florenceduomo #firenzecityitaly #florencetrip #michelangelosdavid #solotravelinitaly
San Terenzo castle looking over the deserted beach as the boats and chairs get rolled out ready for beach weather, that actually arrived the day after I was there...#santerenzo #santerenzolerici #santerenzobeach #lerici #lericicoast #santerenzocastle #dessertedbeach #boatsboatsboats #gettingbeachready #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #solotravel #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #daytripfromlaspezia

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