Special Invite To Forum Members - 2013

So pleased after all your hard work that you have already had a super turn out and lucky with the weather. Glorious here again today so hope you have similar. Will look forward to the photos and will have to try and see if I can find a reason to be down your way next year and pay a visit.Does Mrs Shiney book herself into a rest home for a few days to recover?!

 

Thank you for a wonderful day Shiney, it was a delight to meet everyone. I would have stayed longer but you know I am still fighting this need not to be away from home too long and also the fact that Amber was unwell but I did enjoy myself and the tea and cakes were lovely.

 

Dave has another 60 photos he took yesterday if you want them Shiney. Most of them are of your garden though.

I really wanted one of these, but was quickly reminded that we don't have a teapot.

 

Just arrived home from one of the most enjoyable weekends: ever!

The amount of work that goes on behind the scenes, in front of every one, alongside everyone - well, The Shiney's energy, commitment, hard work and enthusiasm know no bounds!!

Moyra, it was lovely to meet and have a chat, so sorry I didn't get a chance to say goodbye

Jane, can't wait to see the photo's Dave took. I only managed to get a select few photo's of the garden (I avoided taking photo's of people, just in case they were not game). Again, great to meet you both!

Vince, aww thank you for those very kind words. I really appreciated your kind hospitality on what was (to be frank) a wretched journey both weather and roadwise. I adored meeting some of your pack and was gutted Comet was simply too, too big to smuggle out in my handbag. But, I'm so pleased you have found a home for him where you will still get Comet kisses Yes, we are definitely friends for life

I won't speak about the others (yet ) because they haven't had a chance to get back and sign in, but I will say this much.

When I see "GC", I no longer think immediately: "Gardener's Corner"; now I think "Great Companions!" Loved you all

 

A memorable day Shiney, thank you for creating the opportunity each year.

Your "hairdresser" lawn edges magnificently manicured and cleanly coiffured as always. You don't know how depressing it is to see how well it can be done like that!

Mrs S welcomed me with a huge hug and immediately led me to the greenhouse to all the plants that she had propagated for me, the Shiney Star that she is <SorryAboutThatOne!>

I've been coming to your Open Day for several years now, but your garden tour is always interesting and instructive, and you find things to talk about that I don't remember from previous tours (mind you ... that might be my memory! given that Mahdahlia and I did have to prompt you from the wings a few times, I think, as Under Gardener, you should not be muttering that "Plant Names are Mrs S's Department" and learn your lines for next year )

Now then, now then, I think it is high time that everyone came to my favourite garden: East Ruston Old Vicarage in Norfolk. How about we set a date for that later in the Summer?

 

Fantastic idea, Kristen! I think that is a meet that a lot of people would enjoy. People could also visit Will Giles tropical garden in Norwich en route, if so desired. http://www.exoticgarden.com/the-exotic-garden.php
My only misgiving is that it's not very central, perhaps we should have a think about how many people could actually get there easily. Hidcote and Kiftsgate were also put forward as possibilites in Central England. It would be a nice idea to alternate locations between North and South to give as many members as possible a chance to participate if they wish. Harlow Carr, anyone?

I must say, that after a few nervous misgivings, it was a fantastic day and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Thank you Shiney, for organising it all and making us feel so welcome!
I absolutely loved meeting everybody, putting faces to names and having a natter and hope we can do it all again before too long. I must say that lounging about being given tea, cake and sarnies in a beautiful sunfilled garden (not my own, either) was exactly what the doctor ordered yesterday. We followed it up by fish and chips in Saffron Walden followed by treading the maze, which I hadn't even known was there.




Thank you for the fab papyrus plants, Kristen, they are being cossetted in the dining room at the moment but will shortly be evicted to the greenhouse. Erm, ever thought of building a maze on your acres?

 

I have visited Will Giles garden and its amazing (as the plants are "Exotic" better to plan for later in the Summer rather than Early so they have time to bulk up). Worth combining the two for sure (much like Kiftsgate and Hidcote where it would be a shame not to realise that the two are side-by-side )

My thought on that is that Will Giles only opens on a Sunday afternoon, and East Ruston only opens afternoons too, and with a half-hour drive between them I don't think there would be enough time to do both (its hard to "do" East Ruston in a couple of hours, we always aim to be there as the gates open at 2pm in order to be sure to have enough time ). Will is usually on had for a chat too ... and worth allowing some time for that given his encyclopaedic knowledge! the discussion tends to ebb and flow

But if folk are planning to flog half way across the country then perhaps East Ruston on a Saturday and Will Giles on the Sunday would work?

There are two excellent Exotic Nurseries near Will Giles (Amulree and Urban Jungle [which also has a small but interesting Show Garden]) which might make a useful stop-over on a Sunday morning?

Indeed although I think what I am doing is more correctly called a "labyrinth" as its just a single winding path with no dead ends. I've forgotten quite how many, but I bought somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 Holly plants as cell-grown, potted on, and bulking-up ready for planting soon (some were planted this Spring ...) so its a work in progress project . (Not an original idea I nicked it from East Ruston, as they have theirs in a slightly awkward triangle, which is exactly the shape of the space I'd been wondering "what shall do we do with that" for several years )

Thrilled with my Hydrangeas, thank you, as its a leap-frog on my plan to grow them from seed - particularly as I never got around to sowing them this spring

 

Well done Mr & Mrs Shiney

 

As soon as we got home I stuck the Phlomis in a bucket of water to soak overnight. It still looked a bit sorry for itself this morning, so chopped the growth back and stuck it in the ground. Have given it a few drenchings since then. I reckon it should be fine as it had a good root system attached to it

It was great to meet you too and it was a shame I couldn't get round to talking to you and several others.

Here are the photos taken by Dave. I couldn't really post them all up in this thread, so created a album for them all on my photobucket account.

http://s32.photobucket.com/user/jungle_jane2005/slideshow/Shineyland

 

Stunning photos, top job, Dave!!

Next time, Jane, we'll have a good natter