Chelsea Flower Show

Attending the Chelsea Flower Show was both amazing and overwhelming. The many award-winning displays are installed for a phenomenally busy and glorious five days, in nexus where creativity meets commerce. The crowds were thickest I’ve experienced in ages, so working around them was a challenge and my irritation levels rose. We were told to budget about three hours, but I was done after two. Not everything was to my taste - some garden sculptures were just dreadful - but I enjoyed the good, bad, and fugly - it was an experience, and I’m so glad to have gone. The TV preview we caught on Wednesday was helpful to prepare, and I was amazed to think how they’d have to strike everything within 24 hours.

We met with David, the son of my mother’s friend. He was utterly charming. Raised in Turkey, but has lived throughout the world. He texted a photo of the party to his Italian aunt - also a good friend - and she phoned us immediately! I hadn’t spoke to Zia Lisa in several years. There was talk of visiting her in Torino and David’s mother in Bodrum next year.

David made a late lunch booking at London’s only Michelin starred pub The Harwood Arms, which was outstanding. Dinner was at Soho Paradise with other old friends who happened to have been in town. I didn’t know them previously, but they were warm and we all chatted easily. They even showed us how to take a bus back to our flat!

#pppppowuk2022

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