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, (except when there is a global pandemic, in which case it is held virtually). 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. I hope the world gets well soon to make all this possible.
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.
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.
Bright pink flowers enjoying some autumn sunshine, very welcone after all the rain.
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#pinkflowers #pinkflowerseverywhere #pinkflowersofinstagram #flowersinthestreet #flowersinthesun #flowerseverywhere #sydneystreets #sydneyinautumnisperfect #sydneyinautumn #onthewaytowork #someonesgarden
Outside the York St entrance to the QVB, showing the fan of stained glass windows, and all the amazing details only see on old buildings. Why can't they make buildings like this anymore????
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#queenvictoriabuilding #qvbsydney #qvb #stainedglasswindow #yorkstreet #domesontheroof #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsarebeautiful #amazingarchitecture #sydneycbd #shoppinginsydney #myhometown
At the George St end of Martin Place in Sydney's CBD, this building used to be the Commercial Banking Corporation of Sydney, now a fabulous Burberry store, looking over the raised flower beds full of foxgloves in Martin Place.
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#burberry #burberrysydney #burberrysydneyflagship #martinplacesydney #georgestreet #foxgloves #marigolds #pinkflowers #orangeflowers #sydneycbd #sydneyinspring #exploresydney
A very tropical looking section of Hyde Park in Sydney, it has been such a hot, rainy and humid summer these plants are enjoying it a lot more than I am!!
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#hydepark #hydeparksydney #tropicalgarden #palmtrees #sydney #mysecretsydney #sydneyinsummer #walkinthepark #explorethecityyoulivein
Still dreaming of travel.....
Prague, Berlin, Ljubljana
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#charlesbridgeprague #praguenationaltheatre #vltavariver #ourladybeforetynchurch #pragueoldtown #brandenburggateberlin #reichstagberlin #ampelmann_berlin #berlin #ljubljana #triplebridgeljubljana #ljubljanacastle #franciscanchurchoftheannunciation #dreamingoftravel #dreamsdocometrue #lookingforwardtothefuture
The central pathway through Sydney's Hyde Park that goes from Macquarie St, padt the Archibald Fountain, across Park St, to the War Memorial.
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#hydepark #hydeparksydney #walkingthroughhydepark #niceshadywalk #sogreen #sydneycbd #sydney #sydneyaustralia #looknorain #exploretheworldwithme
The arches and balconies on the 3 upper levels of the QVB, with glimses of the Christmas tree going up to the dome in the centre.
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#qvbsydney #qvb #queenvictoriabuilding #shoppinginsydney #amazingarchitecture #arches #wroughironbalconies #sydney #oldbuildingsarebeautiful #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemesmile #myhometown
Walking around Sydney there are so many flowers spilling out of peoples gardens.
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#sydney #walkinginsydney #sydneystreets #explorethecityyoulivein
Vivid Sydney at the QVB.
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#qvbsydney #qvb #sydneylunchtime #vividsydney #vividsydney2022 #lightupmylife #lightshow #pinklights #bluelights #purplelights #sydneycbd #shoppinginsydney #vivid2022 #explorethecityyoulivein #seeeverythingandevenmore
The Sea of Hands art installation in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens.
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#seaofhands #artinthepark #royalbotanicgardenssydney #royalbotanicalgardens #walkinthepark #artinstallation #giveusahand #handsup #waving #sydney #sydneyaustralia #explorethecityyoulivein #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmylens
Another one of the stained glass windows at the George St entrance to the Queen Victoria Building.
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#qvbsydney #qvb #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsarebeautiful #stainedglasswindow #shoppinginsydney #sydney #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydneycbd #sydney_insta #explorethecityyoulivein #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #myhometown
Looking down the George St side of the QVB from Market St. Originally built as a market building, now a lovely shop, eat or just admire,
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#qvbsydney #qvb #georgestreet #marketstreet #shoppinginsydney #oldbuildingsarebeautiful #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemesmile #sydneycbd #seetheworldthroughmylens #beautifularchitecture
Merry Christmas🎄🥳🥂!
St Mary's Cathedral across the road from Hyde Park in Sydney. The spires were only added in 2000, prior to that there were just the two square towers with flat tops.
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#stmaryscathedral #stmaryscathedralsydney #hydepark #hydeparksydney #palmtrees #walkinthepark #churchspiresofinstagram #churchspires #sydbeycbd #outinthepark #explorethecityyoulivein #seetheworldthroughmylens
Still dreaming of where to travel when the world recovers from Covid.
Dubrovnik, Zagreb and Split.
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#croatia #croatiafulloflife #croatiatravel #croatiafullofmagic #zagreb #dubrovnik #dubrovnikoldtown #dubrovnikwalls #stmarkszagreb #strossmartre #split #splitbelltower #zagrebbotanicalgarden #croatiancoast #dreamsdocometrue #dreamingoftravel #exploretheworld
Lovely lace locked spiral staircase leading to a small locked door in Sydney's QVB - does anyone know where it goes and who gets to go there??
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#qvbsydney #qvb #queenvictoriabuilding #spiralstaircase #wroughtironstaircase #mysterystairs #amazingarchitecture #oldbuildingsarebeautiful #oldbuildingsmakemesmile #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #sydney #sydneycbd #luxurysydney
Happy New Year - wishing you all the best for a fabulous 2022 🥂🥳!!
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#sydneyfireworks2021 #happynewyear #sydneyaustralia #sydneywildlife
The Great Australian Clock hanging in the Queen Victoria Building in the Sydney CBD.
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#qvbsydney #qvb #greataustralianclock #clockdesign #christopherccookclockmaker #sydney #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #myhometown #sydneyphotographer #sydneycbd #mysecretsydney #historicbuildingsenrichourlives
These little flowers are loving all the rain in Sydney, me, not so much ⛈!
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#hydepark #hydeparksydney #pinkflowersofinstagram #pinkflowerseverywhere #pinkflowers #redberries #greenleaves #outinthepark #sydneycbd #sydney #sydneyaustralia #walkinthepark #gardenideas #parksandgardens #explorethecityyoulivein
Sydney cbd
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#sydney #sydneycbd
As much as the Martin Place Christmas tree always looks good - it's the same every year. I think we are due for something else. This one is great for the people visiting Sydney, but for thise of us who live here - can we please have a new style and colour next year????
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#sydneycitycouncil #martinplacechristmastree #martinplacesydney #martinplace #sameoldsameold #christmas2021🎄🎅☃️❄️ #sydneycbd #christmasdecorations #decorationsonthetree #timeforachange #myhometown #christmasinsydney #seetheworldthroughmylens #sydneyaustralia
Beautiful pink flowers to brighten up an autumn day in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens.
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#pinkflowers #pinkflowersofinstagram #pinkflowerseverywhere #ilovepinkflowers #royalbotanicgardenssydney #royalbotanicgarden #sydney #sydneyinautumn #sydneyinautumnisperfect #outinthefreshairandsunshine #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything
Taking advantage of some beautiful autumn sydney sunshine, I made another visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens. So close to the cbd, and so peaceful, it could be miles away.
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#royalbotanicgardenssydney #royalbotanicgarden #pinkflowers #pinkflowerseverywhere #purpleflowers #notthechelseaflowershow #enjoyingtheautumnsun #walkinthepark #explorethecityyoulivein #seeeverythingdoeverything #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneyflowers
Hyde Park in Sydney, much smaller than Hyde Park in London, but still a lovely piece of paradise in the middle of the city.
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#hydepark #hydeparksydney
Dreaming of where to travel when it is safe to start exploring again....
London, New York, Rome.
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#royalhorseguards #stjamesspark #toweroflondon #historicroyalpalaces #traitorsgate #brooklynbridge #flatironbuilding #chryslerbuilding #pantheonrome #trevifountainrome #piazzadispagna #london #newyorkcity #rome #dreamingoftravel #getwellsoonworld
The base of the Martin Place Christmas Tree in place ready for the next layer to go up.
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#martinplacechristmastree #martinplacesydney #martinplace #christmas2021🎄🎅☃️❄️ #christmastree #christmasinsydney #merrychristmas🎄 #2moresleeps🎅 #sydneycbd #sydney #mysecretsydney #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
The QVB has it's own light exhibition as part of Vivid Sydney lighting up the city as it does every June. These magnificent lights are hanging under the QVB dome.
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#vividsydney #vividsydney2022 #qvbsydney #qvb #lightshow #sydney #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydneystyle #sydneyinwinter #myhometown #explorethecityyoulivein #pinklights #bluelights #lightupmylife
Merry Christmas from sunny Sydney!🎄🥂🥳🎄!!
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#martinplacechristmastree #martinplacesydney #martinplace #sydneycbd #startingtofeelalotlikechristmas #starontop⭐️️ #merrychristmas🎄 #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia
Playing chess in Hyde Park, Sydney. Just up from the entrance to St James Station.
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#hydepark #hydeparkchess #playingchessinthepark #hydeparksydney #walkinthepark #intheshadeoftrees #lunchbreakwalk #exploretheworldwithme #explorethecityyoulivein #chessboard #chessmaster
More of the beautiful flowers in the Martin Place flower beds in Sydney CBD.
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#martinplacesydney #martinplace #purpleflowers #purpleandwhiteflowers #whiteflowers #springflowers #notthechelseaflowershow #bloomingsydney #sydneycbd #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia
Beautiful foxgloves in Martin Place Sydney, these flower beds are a lovely way to bring Sydney out of lockdowm.
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#martinplacesydney #martinplace #foxgloves #flowersinmartinplace #pinkflowers #sydneyaustralia #sydneycbd #sydneyinspring #orangeflowers #purpleflowers #flowersofinstagram #mysecretsydney #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Christmas is over and we are getting ready for 2022....let's hope it's a good one!
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#martinplacechristmastree #martinplacesydney #martinplace #sydneygpobuilding #gpoclocktower #christmasinsydney #starontop⭐️️ #christmastree #staysafesydney💕
The Royal Clock, made by English clock makers, Twaites and Reed, hanging in the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney's CBD.
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#qvb #qvbsydney #queenvictoriabuilding #shoppinginsydney #royalclock #englishclock #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #iloveoldbuildings #sydney #sydneylife #sydneyphotographer #sydneylocal #myhometown #mysecretsydney #turretclocks #sydneycbd
Sandstone sculpture in Sydney's Hyde Park, representing Earth, Fire and Water.
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#sculptureinthepark #sandstonesculpture #hydepark #hydeparksydney #walkinthepark #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylife #fountaininthepark
At the Pitt Street end of Martin Place in the Sydney CBD, the fountain designed by Lloyd Rees in fron of the amphitheatre and the beautiful Commonwealth Bank building. The fountain was in 2 of the Matrix films, and Superman!
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#martinplacesydney #martinplace #lloydreesfountain #commonwealthbankofaustralia #foxgloves #australianflags #australiancoatofarms #flowersinmartinplace #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #explorethecityyoulivein #myhometown
Happy New Year - wishing you all the best for a fabulous 2022 🥂🥳!!
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#sydneyfireworks2021 #happynewyear #sydneyaustralia #sydneywildlife
And there's the Martin Place Christmas Tree with the star on top.
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#sydney #mysecretsydney #martinplacesydney #martinplacechristmastree #merrychristmas🎄 #flowerseller #littledogsofinstagram #sydneycbd #goawaycovid19 #goawayomicron #christmas2021🎄🎅☃️❄️ #christmasinsydney
The fan of stained glass windows above the York St entrance to the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney.
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#qvbsydney #qvb #queenvictoriabuilding #sydney #stainedglasswindow #fanshapedwindow #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsarebeautiful #sydneycbd #shoppinginsydney #myhometown #iloveoldbuildings #ilovetheqvb #oldstaircase
They don't make stairs like this anymore! Inside the York St entrance to the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney's CBD. One of the most beautiful buildings in Sydney.....
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#queenvictoriabuilding #qvbsydney #qvb #amazingstairs #oldbuildingsarebeautiful #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #sydney #sydneycbd #myhometown #lovetheqvb #anazingarchitecture #shoppinginsydney #downthestairs
Happy New Year - wishing you all the best for a fabulous 2022 🥂🥳!!
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#sydneyfireworks2021 #happynewyear #sydneyaustralia #sydneywildlife
Growing in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens, an anteater surrounded by ants.
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#royalbotanicgardenssydney #royalbotanicalgardens #anteater #anteatersofinstagram #walkinthepark #artinthepark #sydney #sydneyinautumnisperfect #outinthefreshairandsunshine #sydneycbd #explorethecityyoulivein #seetheworldthroughmylens #seeeverythingdoeverything
Walking down my street in the rain on my way to work, yet another bad hair day!!
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#sydney #flowersinthestreet #hedge #pinkandgreen #raininsydney #walkingintherain #streetsinsydney #walktowork #puddleseverywhere #sydneyinautumn #sydneyinautumnisperfect
The front entrance to the old Sydney Post Office, in Martin Place, now the Fullerton Hotel.
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#martinplacesydney #martinplace #fullertonhotelsydney #sydneycbd #australianflags #beautifuloldbuildingsmakemehappy #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #sydneyaustralia #historicbuildings #sydneyinspring
Top 9 Sydney photos this year. Each row from left to right...
Top Row - Sydney Opera House from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Opera House from the south east corner of St Leonards Park in North Sydney, a carved tree in the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens.
Middle Row - Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens, Fort Denison in Sydney Harbour, the old Coal Loader Wharf at Balls Head Reserve in Waverton.
Bottom Row - Sydney Harbour Bridge behind the residential towers in Milsons Point. Staircase in the Queen Victoria Building. Flowers at the Balls Head Centre for Sustanability.
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.#sydneyaustralia #topnine #sydneyinlockdown #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneyharbourbridge #rbgsydney #mysecretsydney #ballsheadreservesydney #sydneyoperahouse #happynewyear
The Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park on a rainy day in Sydney, just enough of a slow down in the rain for me to get into the park!!
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#hydepark #hydeparksydney #archibaldfountain #archibaldfountainsydney #fountaininthepark #waterwatereverywhere #sydneyintherain #sydney #sydneyaustralia #explorethecityyoulivein #seetheworldthroughmylens #sydneylife
Construction begins on the Christmas tree in Sydney's Martin Place.
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#christmasinsydney #christmas2021🎄🎅☃️❄️ #martinplacesydney #martinplace #martinplacechristmastree #cranesandscaffolding #sydneycbd #mysecretsydney #itsstartingtolookalotlikechristmas #goawayomicron #myhometown #lifeinthecity #merrychristmas🎄
The QVB Christmas tree rising up through the floors towards the dome.
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#qvbsydney #qvb #queenvictoriabuilding #itsstartingtolookalotlikechristmas #christmas2021🎄🎅☃️❄️ #christmasinsydney #christmastree #sydneycbd #shoppinginsydney #myhometown #goawayomicron #seetheworldthroughmylens
The gate on Sydney's Pyrmont Bridge once to block traffic, now pedestrians when the bridge swings open to allow boats through to Darling Harbour. The W Hotel in the background is not likely to open this year as planned......
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#pyrmontbridge #pyrmontbridgesydney #gateonthebridge #whotel #sydneycbd #blueskyandsunshine #sydneyinwinter #lunchbreakwalk #darlingharbour #heritagebridge
Looking across the flowers in Sydney's Hyde Park, to the Land Titles Office, or Registrar General's Building, whichever you prefer.
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#landtitlesoffice #landtitlesbuilding #registrargeneralsbuilding #hydepark #hydeparksydney #flowersofinstagram #flowersinthepark #flowersinthesun #orangeflowers #yellowflowers #parkbenches #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemesmile #outinthepark
