Live and interactive

Not being someone who watches much television, I saw little point in having a fancy set, let alone satellite, cable or other 'bells and whistles' devices which provide more channels than anyone could possibly watch (or ever want to, as far as I can judge).

Recently there has been one week in the year when I wished I was less a Luddite and a bit more technologically advanced. Whenever Alan Titchmarsh (a national treasure if ever there was one) exhorts viewers of The RHS Chelsea Flower Show to "press the red button now", I've felt deprived and excluded.

But no longer. Having acquired a flat-screen, widescreen, bigger-than-it-has-a-right-to-be, freeview-enabled 'viewing apparatus' a few months ago, I can now do as Alan says and go at will into other parts of the show.

I'm not sure how much this interactive component adds to my enjoyment of the spectacle that is the greatest flower show in the world. I've been to it a couple of times, arriving to queue long before the gates opened, making a bee-line for the marquee (or pavilion as it is now) and in that early morning quiet breathing in the indescribable scent of thousands upon thousands of flowers with that 'green' note of damp foliage and moist earth at its base.

Even on members' days the crowds are thick, and unlike Mr. Titchmarsh and his co-presenters, one can't actually go into the show gardens, so you crane your neck and squint from the walkway and try to see as much as you can, but it's still a remarkable experience and I long to go again.

One year, when our stamina was finally waning, we sat down in a quieter part of the Royal Hospital grounds to have a rest, but were quickly drawn to our feet by the sound of music coming from outwith the show. The Irish Guards (complete with their wolfhound mascot) were rehearsing for Trooping the Colour at a parade ground nearby, and their magnificent band got us up and out to watch them. They were amazingly good.

That's one experience that Alan and his red button can't provide.

                                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For more on the show, I'd recommend Leslie Geddes-Brown's book, Chelsea: The Greatest Flower Show on Earth

(Great cover!)

Comments

[sherry]

Hi Karen
I have been to Chelsea several times. It is indeed a glorious experience but does test one's stamina. The most distinct time was an opening day that was very cold and raining..... the mud squishing around the toes of the many elegant ladies wearing white high heeled sandals! Bedraggled hats......
But always, always, many tired but happy faces.

[Peg]

I have never been to Chelsea, but thanks for those beautiful photos. I have a hardy geranium named "Beth Chatto" and it looks just like the one in the photo!
I have seen it on TV, but somehow it is just not the same.
I tried to comment yesterday, but Blogger was having indigestion I think.
I love scallops, being from NS, we are famous for our Digby scallops. I love anything with ginger, braised meats and fresh homemade bread. I have two types of bread awaiting the oven. I made a 'Sour Cream Bread' from the blog A Year in Bread and that blog also got me onto No Knead Bread from Jim Lahey in New York. I love the process of making bread!