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Who wants to borrow my shoe-horn??

125 comments


If you’re going to the Malvern Spring Show, I could lend it to you!

I’m very lucky – Louise’s partner is taking us on Saturday 8th May, and I’m hoping to find some interesting plants there. I always have trouble fitting new plants in my flower-beds, so I use my shoe-horn!

Remember our trip to the Malvern Show last autumn? Did you go? Louise and I were delighted to meet up with Grindle there, and we all found some great plants, too.

Carex trifida ‘Rekohu Sunrise’

They laughed at me when I found this great Carex – it was so big they could hardly see me behind it – so I can’t really blame them. I didn’t need my shoe-horn to fit it into my wide border, though, because I took out more of my thuggish Japanese Anemones to make space for it.

It’s doing really well and is a feature in the border.

This stand tempted me – can you see the pink Saxifraga in the centre? That’s what I bought. It’s called Saxifraga fortunei ‘Cherry Pie’ and it flowers in late autumn.

Here it is in my garden last November. Such a little beauty! It’s come back up again with its glossy leaves, ready and waiting to glow again in its shady corner later this year.

I also bought a pot of Crocosmia ‘Emily McKenzie’, and last month I planted some corms to make a good display this summer. I hope they come up!

Vicky1 was at the autumn show, before she joined GOY, as an exhibitor. I took a photo of these beautiful Heucheras, but I don’t know if they’re the ones she grows. Louise and I are hoping to meet Vicky on May 8th.

I wonder which other GOY-ers we’ll meet there? We’re looking forward to the Show – not long now! I’ll lend you my shoe-horn if I see you – so are you going?

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Comments

 

would love to go barbara but as usual its about a 3 hour drive from here, wish there were more going on in the north, i am hoping to go to southport with clarice in august, hope you have a great time with louise ;o))

27 Apr, 2010

 

Nice blog. Enjoyed it. I went to Malvern last year, thought it was wonderful, but unfortunately it clashes with my holiday this year. Maybe will get to the autumn one.

27 Apr, 2010

 

~we are going on Friday as it's less busy and hoping t go to Ashwoods on the Saturday after staying overnight~are there any official GOY badges we could wear?

27 Apr, 2010

 

I wish I could make it Spritz. but unfortunately I will have to make do with Mansfield market flower stall as usual. Mind you I could probably make use of your shoehorn Lol!

27 Apr, 2010

 

once I retire I am going to do all these shows. take lots of photos wont you?

27 Apr, 2010

 

We used to live not far from Malvern so know the show well, too far now, Arlene say Hello to Ashwood for me....the best Nurseries in the country, still have plants we bought from them over 30 years ago, have a cake on me in their beautiful restaurant, hope to visit again soon............

27 Apr, 2010

 

Will do! we have 12600 photos on our mac and we have only been digital for the last 4=5 years!

27 Apr, 2010

 

Arlene, goodness me 12,600 !! I have 5,000 in two years (mac owner too) do you back them all up, do you use time machine have you added an extra hard drive to manage them?

27 Apr, 2010

 

I'll be going, but it will be on Friday so I won't be able to meet up with you both again :( I will get to meet Vicky as I have plants ordered (no surprise there :D).
I can't wait, I missed out last year on the Spring show, it's such a wonderful one, it's worth the long journey from right down here. I'm sure you will have a great time but make sure you have a bulging purse because I know you'll need it LOL

28 Apr, 2010

 

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO looking forward to it :-))))))))

28 Apr, 2010

 

me too, it's like looking forward to Christmas when you were little LOL

28 Apr, 2010

 

Definately !
Is your sister going with you ?

28 Apr, 2010

 

EEEEK I'm going on Saturday May the Eighth!!!!!!! Love the little saxifrage I have none of these, never grown any, might buy some at the show lol. You can tell me what to do with them, I need shade plants. Sandra, can't you get there by coach? then you can just sit back and relax:-) Grindle are you still wearing your daffodil hat? I won't see it now as I'm going by coach on the Saturday and you'll miss the crazy woman with the jack russels on her head:-( looking forward to seeing you too Louise. Floribunda is going on the Saturday too, so that's 4 so far then. Brilliant blog:-))

28 Apr, 2010

 

I got the date wrong!!!!!!!! I'll edit it ASAP....Sorry!

28 Apr, 2010

 

Done. It is the 8th that Louise and I are going.......:-)))))

28 Apr, 2010

 

Phew lol:-)

28 Apr, 2010

 

This is great, so that's Spritz, me, Floribunda and you Bornagain ..... this is going to be fun !!!!!

28 Apr, 2010

 

Do you and Spritz restrain each other? You know the sort of thing "do you really need that plant? just put it down and walk away, you know it makes sense" . Do I need to take cash, or can I use cards? It's been so long since I've been to a 'show' I don't know the form now:-)

28 Apr, 2010

 

Errr, no, we're incapable of restraint, Ba :-/

As for spendies ..... !
Cash is the quickest and easiest to use, also, i've found some stands do and some don't have the credit card machines, so generally safer, i think, to take cash.

Oh, and definately take someone with you who can walk back to the car several times, with all your goodies, otherwise you'll be tired and aching from all the carrying ;-))

28 Apr, 2010

 

im feeling very envious of you two going, i did hint to baz but just rolled the eyes and said its 3 hours away grrr men!

28 Apr, 2010

 

LOL, tell him it's quicker by helicopter, and 'if he really loved you .....' !!!!!
;-))

28 Apr, 2010

 

LOL....That would be great - a private GOY helicopter! :-)))

28 Apr, 2010

 

lol louise will see what he says,,,,just mentioned it, lol, he said he wouldnt even go that far for a car show,, this is a man who took us all over the counryside on the blackpool to scarborough run which took about 9 or so hours hahaha,
he said that was different we saw all the lovely countryside ;o))

28 Apr, 2010

 

Yeah, right ;-))

28 Apr, 2010

 

you cant win with men louise, i would go alone but i have a fear of motorways now, its a real pest when i want to go anywhere, just cant get to manchester on motorway now, just have panic attacks, strange how it happens, i use to drive anywhere, im great on normal roads, doesnt bother me at all ;o(

28 Apr, 2010

 

How about a coach, Sandra? Could you do that? It would be great to meet you. :-)))

28 Apr, 2010

 

i could look into it but im working and a bit short notice to take the day off, im always booked up in advance ;o( i will check things out anyway, or maybe will do a different one if enough notice ;o))

28 Apr, 2010

 

Go on - it'd be such fun! The more, the merrier. :-))) I'll even lend you my shoehorn! LOL.

28 Apr, 2010

 

Oooh! That sounds good, Homebird! I will indeed. Sorry we won't be meeting you. :-(((

28 Apr, 2010

 

lovely pictures my be i will get there one year ////

28 Apr, 2010

 

Thanks, Holly - I haven't been to the spring show before! I'm really looking forward to it. :-)))

28 Apr, 2010

 

I hope you all have a great time and enjoy the show and you all find lots of goodies to bring back, Malvern is a delightful place to visit, just wish we could be there too.....

28 Apr, 2010

 

~ this will be our fifth spring show and always enjoy ~ don't forget to pop into the food halls..

28 Apr, 2010

 

Yep~as Ba said, have already got the tickets in my hot little hands,so will be joining you all over there~would be great if we could meet up,so nice to put a face to the name lol! I actually DON'T resemble a Jack Russel cross at all,Help! you won't recognise me!!!!! tee hee hee:~))
We could do with some GoY badgers or hats~am open to suggestions lol :~))x

Ps, fantastic blog and picts Spritz~as always x

29 Apr, 2010

 

well if I'd known it was going to be a GOY convention, I would have booked for Saturday, now I'm going to miss you all, but I'll buy all the plants before you get there hee hee. .
Louise I'll be going on my own, as sis booked a holiday, and forgot the dates LOL.
Sanbaz, tell OH, if I can drive up from Cornwall, 3 hours is nothing :D

29 Apr, 2010

 

Hi Grindle~
self and hubby will be there on Friday,so may see you.
Don't forget it will be half as busy on the Friday and you can actually get round and see everything and get the best choice of plants before the hordes descend!~ plus it is easier to get food without queuing!happy hunting!
If you are an RHS member and booked your ticket online you get a pink slip to park slightly nearer which is a bonus if you are carrying heavy plants!This show is I think, always busier than the Autumn one because it is so early in the season and you can still buy alliums and lilies etc...

29 Apr, 2010

 

What a cheek Grindle, calling us hordes! You'd better leave some for us;-) I didn't know there were food halls, another hobby of mine:-))) Must raid my piggy bank Louise, I may need that shoehorn, nearly every day something else arrives, some I've forgotten I ordered even in the dim days of winter:-)) I will eventually do a blog on the mekeover when it's finished, but can't plant anything at the moment and have just taken delivery of more big pots from Wilko plus compost, so back to work:-))

29 Apr, 2010

 

It was me saying hordes not Grindle and if you have ever been stuck in a mile long queue to park you will know what I mean! lots of people go for the food,clothes jewellery and crafts etc and not just gardening /plants!~bought my first pair of Muck boots 6 years ago and just had to replace them after thousands of miles of wear..take lots of cash for the cheeses jams sausages.~ greenhouse!.....

29 Apr, 2010

 

Will do, Ooooh can't wait:-))

29 Apr, 2010

 

LOL, I would never refer to you as hoards Ba. Yes Arlene I get up front parking too, makes it so much easier to fill the car. It has to be my favourite show of the year, I was so disappointed at missing last years, guess I'm going to have to make up for lost time

30 Apr, 2010

 

We always go for the 'Gold'parking permit too, it really is worth the extra money, and saves so much walking to get back to the car,specially if you're on a shopping spree lol! Am just hoping the weather is dry, sunshine would be nice, but dry is better hahaha! Am looking forward to seeing other GoY members there, you'll know it's us~Ba and I will be doing the Conga down the main walkway tee hee hee!

Ps, Don't tell Ba, she doesn't know it yet!!! :~))

30 Apr, 2010

 

Hi Grindle~tell you what!
I have hellebores( un named)~ pink azalleas and black grass~tell me what you fancy and we can meet and do a swap of something you have a few of?

30 Apr, 2010

 

What Flori...with my bad foot! ;-)

30 Apr, 2010

 

Congas? Whatever next? LOL.

30 Apr, 2010

 

sent you a pm Arlene

1 May, 2010

 

I could see that being a slight difficulty Ba lol! How about if we pop you in a wheelbarrow instead,so you can do it from there then??? :~))

1 May, 2010

 

People might think is the 5th november Flori:-( Still we may make some money:-)

1 May, 2010

 

Hey hadn't thought of that,all the more to spend on plants!! Tee hee hee. You could never be mistaken for a Guy, Ba,you would be the best mobile bloom around........... :~))

1 May, 2010

 

Awwww.. sweet! People might throw money into the wheelbarrow, with any luck, Flori, even more to buy plants with! :-D)

1 May, 2010

 

I like your kind of thinking Spritz!!! Oh, as long as they don't hit our favourite bloom of course! That ok with you Ba?? :~))

1 May, 2010

 

If you were to take a hat with you, Flori, and just kind of 'hold' it at your side, that would save Ba from getting a coin in her eye....and you wouldn't really be asking for donations, now would you?

1 May, 2010

 

You've got this all worked out haven't you Spritz?~I can see you've put a lot of thought into this.......I bet poor Ba's trying frantically to change her ticket to Friday now....just in case lol :~))

1 May, 2010

 

Haha - is she trying to avoid Louise and me - or could it be....YOU?? LOL.

1 May, 2010

 

Duhh.....guess it could be me..........?? :~)) Sorry Ba! lolx
Spritz, thank you for making me smile.........x

1 May, 2010

 

Who? Me?? LOL. (You're welcome...xxx)

1 May, 2010

 

:~))xxx

1 May, 2010

 

Good grief...and I've been looking forward to this show....now I'm going to be shoved into a wheel barrow and have coins thrown at me 8~0 Ha, I shall come in disguise :-)))

1 May, 2010

 

Ha ha ha! Ba, So hope we can meet on Saturday~and I promise~no wheelbarrow,no Conga,no flying coinage!! :~)) Just lots of plants,plants,plants!X

1 May, 2010

 

LOL.....How will we know it's you, then Ba? I want to meet you!

OK Flori - I give in. Plants it is! (as if there were any doubt!)

1 May, 2010

 

We could all meet at Vicky's exhibit at a certain time to be agreed. I think my coach gets in about 11.30, but may not be reliable. Possibly after lunch? I'm open to any suggestions...we could have a picture of our own avatar pinned to our person....or would that just look daft...yes probably. I know...we could each carry a rolled up copy of a newspaper, to be agreed beforehand...possibly some form of password...or we could wear false moustaches....(I hope they would be false) or would that make us too conspicuous? Anyone else have any ideas?

2 May, 2010

 

go and meet at the food areas where you can sit down wearing your avatar pic, moustache and waving a rolled newspaper!

2 May, 2010

 

You've done this before Arlene;-)

2 May, 2010

 

LOL. What fun - disguises! Or - how about a huge sunflower hat??? No? Oh, well. :-((((

2 May, 2010

 

Now that's just silly Barbara;-)

2 May, 2010

 

Hmmmm.....Sorry! (Bows head in shame) :-(((((((

2 May, 2010

 

Lol Barbara:-) Anyway, what time should we all meet up? Yes you're our organiser, I only come up with moustache like ideas8~/

3 May, 2010

 

And there was I just gone out and got one, Ba!! Don't I have to wear it now?lolX

3 May, 2010

 

Yes Flori...we'll all be wearing ours (innocent face) look forward to seeing you ;-)

3 May, 2010

 

I'm not in charge - It's Louise's partner who's driving us to Malvern - so I really don't know what time or anything yet. I'll send her a PM and see what she thinks. She's off line until tomorrow now, though.

P.S. Please don't make fun of my affliction - I can't help where my hair grows...sob, sob.... boo hoo.....sniff, sniff...:-((((((((((((((((((

3 May, 2010

 

There there, never mind! I believe there is a cream available.....but wait until after the show...

3 May, 2010

 

Have you got a tissue, please, Arlene??

3 May, 2010

 

~ here take the box!

3 May, 2010

 

Don't worry Barbara, my beard will draw attention away from your moustache:-)

3 May, 2010

 

Thanks, Arlene, sniff!! Blooowww ---ah! That's better.

OK, Ba - at least we'll recognise each other easily! :-0))))

3 May, 2010

 

~must be something in the water.....it's those male hormones..just don't start shaving...once you start!...

3 May, 2010

 

Ah-ha! So that's what it is!!!!! I'll take your advice, Arlene. LOL.

4 May, 2010

 

Hi Barbara

I'm going to go on Sunday but seems like no one else is going on that date!

Why Sunday? ..............you know me, it's bargain bucket sell off day, and no , i'm not steptoe or his son!

Anyone going on that day please let me know.

5 May, 2010

 

Glad to hear that you're going, Mick! :-)

5 May, 2010

 

I may need your shoe horn!

5 May, 2010

 

I definitely will - but you're welcome to borrow it. :-))

5 May, 2010

 

thats a very funny blog, had me chuckling all the way through it
i know im reading it a bit late ~ im getting ready for the next show now!!!!!

3 Jan, 2011

 

It doesn't matter when you got here, Sticki! It's something nice to look forward to. We all need that! :-))

3 Jan, 2011

 

:o))
what a very accomodating bunch you are!!

3 Jan, 2011

 

Ooooh, yes. :-)))) Guess what - we're in the middle of a blizzard! Yikes!

3 Jan, 2011

 

You got a blizzard Spritz?? quick..out with your camera:-)

3 Jan, 2011

 

a snow blizzard???

3 Jan, 2011

 

I totally, utterly completely refuse to set foot outside the door in that horrible cold white stuff, which wasn't even forecast! I'm really fed up to see it. It was settling, too.

NO photos. We've all seen enough!

I'm off to write a cheering blog instead. Watch out! Spritz is about! :-))

3 Jan, 2011

 

you tell that snow to go away spritz!!

3 Jan, 2011

 

Thanks to Flori, BA, Spritz and Arlene - I haven't laughed so much for ages . . . I wonder how you DID all meet up?! What fun. I can see there's a project for your artistic side Sticki - designing a GoY badge for all the shows we all want to go to (hint, there's a logo at the top of the page . . ). Go on - I know you've got plenty of time on your hands (ducks from flying missiles . . :).

P.S. Oh no, not snow in SOMERSET?!

3 Jan, 2011

 

you've got me worked out havent you sheila!!!
not sure about the ducks???
i would have fun trying out that ~ altho its very tempting to do fun ones!!!

3 Jan, 2011

 

That was me ducking! Go for it - you could make your fortune . . we'll all want to buy one!

3 Jan, 2011

 

i wish!!!
there are much better designers on here than me but i will have a go anyway. OH back to work tomorrow so i shall be on the computer!!!!
watch this space.

3 Jan, 2011

 

Hi Sticki and Sheila and Spritz\0/ Oh the giggles we had on this blog...poor Ba, I think that I traumatised her with the idea of getting her around in a wheelbarrow over at Malvern last year! Poor soul still has nightmares even now.....lol Can we get up a Goyer group again this year? It would be nice to think so.....Count me in...\0/x

4 Jan, 2011

 

i would love to be there but im going on holiday on ~ guess what ~ friday 13th!!!!

4 Jan, 2011

 

That's no good, Sticki - you'll have to alter the dates! ;-O

4 Jan, 2011

 

Yes Sticki, it's not too late to cancel...don't be so selfish:-)

4 Jan, 2011

 

you make me laugh.
i was hoping you could all go on the thursday cos then i might be able to go.

4 Jan, 2011

 

It all depends on Louise and her OH. a) If he will take us, and b) when he's able to.

4 Jan, 2011

 

you could come and do my garden for me while you are at malvern ~ i could leave the tea coffee and cakes for you????

4 Jan, 2011

 

Errr...and miss the show, you mean? Not a very good exchange, really! ;-((

4 Jan, 2011

 

no i was meaning after the show ~ and even better you could bring me new plants to put in the show.
if you come to the show on the thursday i can do cakes for you!!!

4 Jan, 2011

 

Oooh - you sweet-talker, you! ;-D

4 Jan, 2011

 

So, let me get this right...we all have to go on Thursday, even if it means I would have to go on the train and wouldn't be able to buy very much. Spritz is to work on your garden AND bring you plants. Is there anything else you would like your fellow Goyers to sacrifice? Perhaps we could come to you en masse and decorate your house from top to bottom...I'm sure we would all be game!!!! Then the next day, you would be swanning off to Islay. Well, I for one see nothing wrong with your plan:-(

4 Jan, 2011

 

oh yes can you bring the paint please ~ thats cream in the bathroom, blue for the bedroom and a delicate shade of chinese white for the stairs.
you have got your own overalls havent you.

4 Jan, 2011

 

What a flippin' liberty! :-)

4 Jan, 2011

 

oh, i thought my plan was ok.???

4 Jan, 2011

 

I've changed my mind, I don't like the colours you've chosen lol:-)

4 Jan, 2011

 

have you bought them yet?

4 Jan, 2011

 

Certainly not:-)

4 Jan, 2011

 

What a presumptuous person we have here, Ba! I'm not decorating her house as WELL as sorting out her garden!

Hmmmph!

5 Jan, 2011

 

Ooooh, it sounds fun, Sticki....where's the paintbrush...? lol! You do realise that our Ba is the best paper stripper in the Midlands....you just ask Richard. She is a positive blur with a hot steam machine.....hahaha!\0/x

6 Jan, 2011

 

oh well you all have fun and i wont be there ~ i will have to wait till next year. get some good bargains and lots of photos please.
ive made a note flori that BA is a very good stripper ~ is that right?

6 Jan, 2011

 

Yes, right down to my woolly tankini:-)

6 Jan, 2011

 

Hey! Just watch what you're saying young ladies. Tsk, tsk. It's far too cold to strip off, anyway!

6 Jan, 2011

 

It snowed here overnight:-( Good news is it seems to be thawing. I received my first new plants today, the euphorbia ascot rainbow, an azalea golden flare and a heuchera creme brulee, think I'll leave them in the garage to recover, though they look fine. They were very well packed and arrived at the speed of light:-) i did ask on another blog Spritz, do you know euphorbia burrows silver? :-)

7 Jan, 2011

 

ive seen creme brulee ~ its very attractive, that golden flare sounds nice.
i found this on the web regarding euphorbia burrows:
It really is the most beautiful plant, and I love its cream and soft sage green leaves

http://www.mooseyscountrygarden.com/foliage-plants/variegated-euphorbia.html ~ this is the blog it came from.

7 Jan, 2011

 

Thanks, I've had a look Sticki. I wonder if it's so hardy here? I did order a euphorbia white swan from Vicky last year, but they hadn't come through the winter and I'm hoping this one is hardier:-)

7 Jan, 2011

 

I saw 'White Swan' last autumn, I was very tempted, but somehow resisted it. I'm glad I did from the sound of it!

No, sorry, I'm not familiar with the 'Burrows Silver' one.

You could ask a question, Ba.

7 Jan, 2011

 

I can't see you having problems with white swan Spritz, Vicky's in the north. A neighbour of mine has one, a beauty, it was fine last year. If it comes through this year I still want one:-)

8 Jan, 2011

 

If I see another one later on, I might well buy it, then. I shall have 'gaps', that's for sure! :-(

9 Jan, 2011

 

Oportunities Spritz:-)

9 Jan, 2011

 

I know I should see it like that, Ba. It's hard at the moment!

10 Jan, 2011

 

Courage my friend:-)

10 Jan, 2011

 

Yes, I know - and patience!

11 Jan, 2011

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