Car safety, things I pack to avoid catastrophe

Recently a blogging friend Sara-Jayne over "Keep up with the Jones Family" at had a terrible experience with her car. After a breakdown, late in the evening, on a busy motorway with no safe place for her to get away from traffic she found herself faced with a wait for the AA.

Due to the nature of the breakdown the lights on her car failed and she was left waiting in the increasingly dark night in a really dangerous location.

The AA did not arrive for hours and during that time she was understandably distressed.(Read more on her twitter here)

Her experience made me reassess my own car safety procedures.

I carry a spare tyre, (not all cars come with one so it's worth checking!) and I know where my spare tyre is, and I check it is roadworthy at each MOT and service - that's important as newer cars do not need an MOT so it can escape being checked for several years.

I regularly check tyre pressures. If you've not done this it's a great idea to find out how to on a day you are not in a hurry and don't have an obviously soft tyre.

I make sure my screen wash is topped up - a seagull once crapped all over the windscreen, and it took a lot of water to clear it enough to see! (and don't ask me about the fox blood and guts incident)

I know where the dipstick is (jokes about him being a SAHD can be inserted here) and I can check the oil, and know where to add more too.

I have always carried a first aid kit and a 'life hammer' (the thing that can break car windows and slice through seat belts to release people in an emergency)

And after reading about Sara-Jayne and her horrible experience I'm investing in some hi-vis vests to keep in the boot of the car, in case we need to get out an walk anywhere if the car breaks down.

And also a warning triangle (they are essential when travelling in Europe anyway, and a great idea to give advanced warning if you have to stop the car unexpectedly)

I am even tempted to get a battery operated hazard light after thinking about electrical failures meaning the car lights could fail at night!

What do you carry in case of emergency? Have I missed anything? Or am I over prepared? What do you think?

How to create the perfect family holiday

I was thinking (as it's sunny) about holidays. It seems that holidays can mean different things to different people and there is no 'perfect holiday' that would suit everyone. Of course Americans don't even use the same word and they call them vacations! But whether you take the family on holiday, on vacation or away for a break, the way people do it varies.

I wondered what people thought about planning a holiday and what they expect from it. I've already mentioned the dangers of relying on holiday review sites for information, and when you see how people look differently at vacations you'll realise why. What one person sees as a positive point can be a negative to someone else.

For example, even in my own house (3 of us) we have different ideas of 'fun on holiday' . Mr TM likes self catering as we get more room, it's easier to do what we want, when we want and meal times are flexible. He also likes to swim but gets bored laying around all day. Miss TM, the lovely DD likes a hotel, with a widescreen TV and free wifi. She likes to swim and lounge by a pool and also loves a hot tub, she loves a posh hotel. I like both but favour a more adventurous holiday, staying somewhere unusual like a narrow boat or a tree house, hiring a car and exploring. I like to eat out but at local restaurants, the sort rarely used by tourists, and I like to visit local attractions and also meet people and find out about different cultures.

I asked a few parents what they liked too, and of course the answers varied just as much.

Emily at Emily and Indiana said "A holiday to me is spending proper quality time as a family. No interruptions, lots of fun and creating as many memories as possible! And in a hotel, I want a break from everything!"

Emma from Life According to Mrs Shilts agrees that it's the break from the chores that really makes a holiday "A holiday to me means no cooking or washing up, we work so hard the rest of the year I don't want to be doing that on holiday"

Nikki at Yorkshire Wonders went all out for a cruise! "My favourite holidays are with my family, where we are all catered for so everyone is happy. So, a bit of sunshine, new places to explore, organised activities for the kids and lots of nice food and wine! We cruised last year and it was fab!"

As did Emma at Island Living 365 "For us holidays are very important. We use them as a an opportunity to spend time with the rest of our family. We also believe that it's really important to show the girls that there is a big, exciting world outside of Jersey"

Louise at Pink Pear Bear is more flexible with her approach, it seems that a change is the main aim "Going on holiday is a total break from the everyday chores for me. Well, it would be if we stayed in a hotel with a kids club!
For the last few years we have done self catering and so there is still the same amount of work, washing etc but it still feels better being somewhere different and in the sunshine somehow!
It's also about reading books, something I rarely do now. When abroad, I like to really soak up the culture, enjoy the food, see the sights etc. But chilling by the pool is also nice too! "

Hannah at Hannah Spannah agrees that it's being somewhere else that makes a holiday - getting away from the mundane. "My holidays as a single mum are either self catering or camping so there are still all the jobs to do but it means being somewhere different. A change is as good as a rest and that's true. I love the opportunity to just play together and explore."

And if you follow my other blog Tentsniffing for Beginners, you'll know that I also adore the camping life. Of course I'm not alone in that either.

Claire at Tin Box Traveller says "It's all about leaving behind the routine of every day life, exploring new places and getting lots of fresh air. We enjoy all sorts of breaks. The more varied the better. And they don't have to be expensive. I've come back from short camping weekends with recharged batteries and feeling like we've enjoyed quality family time."

So from a hot, all-inclusive holiday abroad, to a weekend in Wales self catering, from a Christmas cruise, to a road trip with the family it seems that there is something for anyone, even if every holiday isn't for everyone.

What is your favourite holiday and will you be going abroad this year or staying closer to home? A time to be spoiled or just time to be together as a family...or alone to read?

Wordy Wednesday's author interview with Tony Burns

It's Wednesday and we all know what that means! Yes it's time for more reading, and chatting to authors, this week I'm talking to Tony Burns. I'll let Tony introduce himself to you.

I’m a father of two and grandfather of three and live in Manchester. I retired from full time paid work just over three years ago. I worked in a large Government Department as a Programme and Project Manager. It was a job I loved, but my wife and I always planned to leave full time work early and so I quit when I was 55, I left simply because I could and because I wanted to do different things.
I’m a keen football fan (Manchester City season ticket holder), ride motorbikes whenever I can, I’ve currently got four in the garage, although I’m planning on selling one of those this year.
I’ve written a couple of books (travelogues), both in the Travel genre and I expect to write at least a couple more.

Welcome to the blog Tony, with summer approaching it's rather nice to have a Travel Writer onboard. 
Do you have another job or are you a full time author? If you do something else (international spy?) what is it and do you like it?
I do have another job, and it’s a part time thing. I work at a local school as an exam invigilator, which is pretty relaxed, quite enjoyable but would fall short in the James Bond world.(It could be the perfect cover...)

When did you start writing?
That’s a good question. Formally and in terms of books then I suppose that was pretty recent and was really only the middle of last year. But I have always kept notes and journals when I have travelled. (ooh I keep travel journals too - great to look back on. You've reminded me to blog my Egypt trip!) One of my passions is motorbikes, it has been for most of my life and I have travelled pretty extensively in Europe. I think I’ve done maybe about 16 European road trips and always wrote updates home, and kept pretty detailed notes, along with many thousands of photographs, so it sort of made sense to get some of these written up now that I have a little more time.

As my books are Travelogues, there really isn’t a main character, my journeys and travel are recounted through my eyes – so both books have the underlying theme of if there is something you want to do, then just do it rather than sitting about putting things off.

What 3 things are guaranteed to make you smile?
Any day when Manchester City win and Manchester Utd lose will always make me smile.
My Grandchildren make me smile, laugh and appreciate life almost every day of the week.
Watching Come Dine With Me is always good for a chuckle.

Do you have any pets?
No, we used to have two Bengal cats, but the last (Jack) passed away last year and we have not found a place in our hearts to replace him. If they were still with us then they would be a total hindrance to any creative process!

Who is your favourite author? Do they influence your writing or are they a total break from the sort of thing you write?
I can’t really say I have a favourite author. I pretty much read anything that comes my way. I ought really to have more time than ever to read but somehow seem to have less time than ever, I quick glance at my book shelf in the spare room shows that most of the books that I hang onto are either related to travel; autobiographies of motorcycle racers or motorcycle related books.

Which book(s) are you reading at the moment?
I’ve got three on the go at the moment: Guy Martins Worms to Catch, Back Roads of Spain, a travel book from the DK Eyewitness Series and Motorcycle Journeys Through the Alps by John Hermann.

Where do you do most of your writing?
In the ‘spare room’ where I have a decent desk set up with my PC and with space to throw my rubbish drafts into the bin (it’s a big bin).

What is your favourite biscuit?
Now that is a tough question, I suppose if I was to get off the fence then I would probably go for a Jammy Dodger, but a decent Bourbon or anything covered with plain chocolate would do the trick.

Tea or Coffee?
Coffee – every time

In the film of your life who would play you?
Hmm … I suppose Ewan McGregor, mainly because he seems a straightforward sort of guy, not full of bullsh*t, which is how I would describe myself (although others might not agree).

If you could genetically cross an animal and a vegetable, what would you pick and why?
A cat and a carrot – I sort of like the idea of a bright orange cat wandering around the house.

Tony's books are
What if You Don’t Break Down
Superbike Across Europe
Both are available in Kindle and paperback through the Amazon store.

Thanks Tony for the answers to my often daft questions. Good luck on the travels in the future.

Things I have ticked off a non existant bucket list

I don't have a bucket list but I recently realised that I've done a lot of the things that I see on other peoples! Maybe I have a mental, secret, subliminal bucket list?

Here are things that could be ticked off of the bucket list that I don't have :

• Been on a Nile Cruise
• and hot on the tail of that - Been inside the great Pyramid, seen the sphinx, been to the Cairo museum, Valley of the Kings and Luxor (needs it's own post I think!) Visited Abu Simbel

• Got married, still married 22 years on
• Had a baby...and have managed to change that baby into a fairly excellent teenager
• Bred fancy mice (by accident - also, learned how to sex mice)
• Been to Paris (still need to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower though)
• Visited Barcelona
• Rode several looped roller coasters in several countries 

• Held a tarantula
• Owned my own dog(s)
• Driven in a mustang convertible along the Pacific Coast Highway from LA to SF (this one in 2014 in April - proper excellent fun!)

• Visited Venice Beach, gazed at the body builders at Muscle Beach Gym
• Took a trip to Alcatraz (not one way!)
• Been to DisneyLand
• Been to New York City
• Been to the top of the World Trade Centres :-(
• Been to the top of the Empire State Building
• Been to Glastonbury
• Seen Tom Jones in Concert

• Visited Canada
• Rode in a canoe on a great lake
• Caught a bullfrog with my bare hands
• Ridden in a cable car
• Ridden on a ski lift (chair lift) in the snow
• Held a python
• Flown in a small plane (4 seater)
• Ridden a horse
• Ridden a camel

• Bought some taxidermy
• Visited a Freak Show (twice!)

Meeting the 'Wolf Boy'

What would be ticked off of your (non existent) bucket list? What great things have you done?

Top Ten driving tips for a Brit driving in California

Before I went to America I was nervous about driving there. Although I've driven happily and safely in the UK for Over twenty years, driving in another country was something I'd never done before and I had all sorts of worries. The most obvious being the fear of forgetting which side of the road to drive in and accidentally setting off in the wrong direction on a dual carriage way killing us both!

So I searched the internet for advice and tips on driving in the US and California in particular. It turned out there were things to worry about that I hadn't even imagined!

So I'm sharing my learning and my experiences. Here are my Top Ten things you need to know about driving in California if you are British.

1. Get an automatic car. If you drive in Britain chances are you drive a gear shift car. There are lots if reasons for this, fuel economy and control being the main two. I would suggest to remove one worry of driving you get an automatic, they are more common, it's probably what you will be offered anyway, don't ask for gears. The petrol (gas) prices are way lower in the US than in the UK even though Californians will whine and tell you gas prices are high. They are not, so don't worry about the fuel saving. And if you drive in hilly San Francisco or busy Los Angeles 'stop/start traffic you'll be glad of the rest your "clutch" foot will get.

2. When you buy gas in the US you have to pay FIRST. I was slightly overwhelmed by this, how would I know how much my hire care held? How would I pay? Credit card? Cash?. Credit cards are accepted at the pump but only if you have your card registered to a US address, you don't, so you have to go in to the kiosk and pay. You can pay for more than the car will take, you go back after for your change. The same if it's cash or credit card. So you go in, ask for, say, $40 regular on pump 4, fill, find it only took $37 and pop back in for the change. Simple and you get used to it. Of course you don't have to fill up you can but just a few dollars worth, most pumps will shut off when you reach the amount you paid for. And don't forget that as with many credit card payments you may have to sign rather that use your PIN and you may need photo ID - carry it all the time, your plastic driving licence card is enough. Also Petrol (gas) pumps are different colours to the ones we have in the UK! Diesel comes from the green nozzle, regular unleaded AND super unleaded come from the black one. For petrol, you push a button on the pump to select either regular or super and it's dispensed from the same black nozzle.

3. Pedestrians have right of way. All the time. Every time. Even if they are idiots. You are not allowed to run them over (obviously) but you also have to stop for them when they are crossing the road, any road, anywhere even if they are jaywalking. There are Crosswalks on lots of intersections and pedestrians should use these, be aware that even if you have a green light the pedestrians may have a green light too! (yes really) and you still have to stop. Even though the car is king, the pedestrians win on the road. You have to wait for them. Watch out for the walkers...

4. Drivers are on the whole more aggressive than in the UK, people rarely 'let you in' or 'let you out' you have to be pushy. And no one flashes their headlights to mean 'after you'! So just keep alert and get on with driving. On the freeways people pass on either side, you can too, check everywhere before changing lanes, Californians often don't signal a lane change. (don't let that stop you doing it though!)

6. I hired a satnav (GPS in American!) and I'd recommend that, but don't think that means you don't need a paper map too. Take  a decent road map of the area you'll be in and maybe some city maps too. There are places that the GPS won't work and mine broke altogether! (I did get a refund in the hire charge) Luckily I had also downloaded a free app for my phone that uses GPS and not data to guide you, it proved very useful. I have an android phone and used NavFreeUSA , there is an Apple version, and I expect there are others out there, don't forget to check it doesn't need a data connection to work!

7. There are hardly any roundabouts so turning the wrong way is unlikely. Freeway entrances and exits are clearly marked and if you are tempted to take the wrong one they have large signs saying "WRONG WAY" so as long as you are not asleep you are unlikely to suddenly forget.

8. Probably should have started with the obvious...Californians drive on the right. It's easy to remember, even when you are turning left as the centre of each road is clearly marked with yellow markings, lane marking if there is more than one lane on your side are white. Stick to the right of the yellow and you're done. Narrow road signs in California rarely indicate a narrow road! Don't panic, the road will probably still have two lanes and will only be narrow if you are driving a huge truck. The speed limit may be reduced.

9. You can turn right on a red light if it's safe to do so (ie no cars are coming from the left ) unless there are signs to the contrary. All the road signs are pretty clear and self explanatory but there are a lot of them! Stay alert. U turns are also common unless signs say otherwise.

10. Parking spaces in car parks are bigger than here so don't panic if you have a big hire car. Some spaces are marked 'compact' and are for the smaller European style cars. Most car parks also leave spaces between the cars so you can get out! ( something the UK could learn from) I didn't park on street much but signs are clear as to where you can park. Do not park next to a fire hydrant.

And that's it! I had a fantastic time driving my Mustang Convertible, I miss it now I'm back home to my Fiat Panda. Let me know if you are going to be driving stateside, especially if it's for the first time, and if any of this has helped!

California

I don't know if I mentioned this but I just returned from a road trip with DD, in a Mustang convertible, along the Pacific Coast Highway in California.

Here are some photos you may have missed, and a few links to posts you may have missed too.

New favourite crisp flavour

Sea lions at pier 39, San Francisco

Elephant seals

My Little Pony - McDonalds....it was late, I'm lazy at finding restaurants

Venice Beach where I was chatted up a lot, thus proving the case for marijuana

Two Headed Turtle at the Freak Show

Freaks

Also on Venice Beach - a freak show, Wolf Boy Larry Gomez, nice guy, hairy

I haven't kidnapped a baby, she's the granddaughter of my Californian buddy

Californian Buddy doing selfies in the convertible with DD - I'm busy being sensible and driving

Swimming at the motel pool

Lunch at Neptune's Net

Breakfast at iHop

Driving

 And we are home. And it's raining. Already saving for our next trip.

Pop back to look at the travel blog posts I posted while I was there

The adventure Begins

Cruising along in my automobile

One Misty, Moisty Morning

San Francisco, fog, prison and sea lions

The one with lots of driving

Scream if you want to go faster in which our intrepid heroes visit Six Flags Magic Mountain

The wolf man - where we visit a freak show

We're gonna need a bigger boat - in which we go whale watching and see no whales

The happiest place on earth - Disney - where else!?

Some holiday snaps

Almost a silent sunday - some holiday snaps

A few snaps of my recent Californian Holiday for those that are interested

Created with flickr slideshow.  

Click here for a Flickr Album link if the slideshow does not start on your device       

The Happiest Place on Earth

After a day chilling, shopping and lazing about, we finished the day with a delicious dinner at Denny's, surprised me as much as you, I had the pot roast and it was delicious.

Then we went to bed early to prepare for a day at Disneyland.

We set off late-ish to miss the traffic around LA and arrived in time for an early lunch...brunch? So we popped into the Rainforest Cafe and had another lovely meal. M and I both had a chicken sandwich and DD had a burger, I sneaked in a Cheeta-Rita (margarita) as I wouldn't be driving for many many hours..hours of fun!

The park was busy of course but I had a disabled 'return later' pass (due to my Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease) so we didn't have to actually wait in the line, we could save the spot and return later. We started with Space Mountain and Ms screams and the look on her face in the ride photo were hilarious. We rode lots of fun rides, saw parades, looked around, I was genuinely happy...

Seeing so many happy little kids, girls and boys dressed as their favourite characters, princesses, pirates and a couple of big bearded guys with their My Little Pony themed clothing and toys....

I bought some Maleficent styled Mouse Ears and later bought a Minnie Mouse hoodie with ears...I think they put something in the water that makes you want to dress up...oh no, that's just me!

We took lots of pictures but they are all on my camera so I'll upload some later. We even went on the Small World ride again and I took a bit of video.

We ate pasta for dinner in the park, then went on Space Mountain again, did a bit more shopping and then left at about 11pm for a two hour drive on the freeway to the hotel. Finally in bed at about 1.15am. A long happy day.

Scream if you want to go faster...

After a trip to Walmart (something DD has been dreaming of, don't ask!) where I had the exciting

experience of having my credit card declined (the bank said I shopped too much so it looked suspicious! Ha!) we went to Six Flags Magic Mountain.

We rode on loads of fun rides, and used a flash pass so we didn't have to wait at all (yes we were those people you hate that walk to the front of the line and take your spot) The flash pass also allowed us to ride twice without getting off the ride, so mostly that's what we did. 

The rapids were DDs favourite ride I think, she rode them 4 times! I only went 3 times after. A huge wave went right over my head and soaked me to my underwear! So glad it was hot and we could dry off fast in the sun!

We also rode Goliath, a 255ft high drop with speeds of 85mph. Excellent fun. We tried the Ninja too, a suspended coaster that is really smooth, DD liked that enough to ride it 3 times.

The Apocolypse was a rickety fast ride past burning cars (so close you felt the heat from the flames) and great fun, though the Tidal Wave wasn't as scary as we thought it would be.

As we both love roller coasters we had a fun day trying them all out. A nice snack lunch in the park of chicken and fries, a souvenir cup full of raspberry tea (which DD was surprised to find she liked) and then after a day full of brain rattling amusement I drove to Camarillo, to our next motel and to meet up with my online friend M.

She popped round to the motel and we lay on the beds chatting and laughing and eating candy until late. DD was asleep almost before M said goodbye.

Saturdays plans include the beach....Venice Beach, and the freak show...

San Francisco, fog, prison, and sealions

So Wednesday was San Francisco. The morning dawned cool and misty, in fact it was trying to rain.

We took a trip in the morning to Alcatraz. Sadly the Golden Gate Bridge was shrouded in mist/fog so no great photos of the view. But Alcatraz was all I hoped. The "rock" is actually a pretty place, but the cell block, even when full of tourists, is cold, and eery. We saw the cells where famous prisoners were held, and where some escaped from. To stand in a tiny cell knowing people lived in that bleak space for years...part of me thought how it would put you off doing time ever again, but part of me thought that when you were there for year after year after year it would destroy you, and leave you feeling hopeless or violent with no real care as to what happened next. There was a library though, and book privileges, ... very noticeable that the rules and daily routine were spookily similar to the rules and schedule we have for DD ...how she laughed

Blogger Bear (on loan from Bigfashionista) dressed the part...he's not sure if he looks cool, cute or silly. 

We stopped for lunch after the trip, sitting on pier 39 admiring the sea lions as they squabbled and basked. Looking black and sleek when wet but cuddly furry and brown when dry.

We walked along the wharf, and after spotting the simply enormous queue for the cable car ride we decided to take pictures only, and walk up to Lombard street...

We spent some time first listening to the cable, discussing how the cable cars work, no engines or motors, with the cable always moving in the street etc, so all very informative and educational, and then the stroll..

It's one five blocks, how steep can it be? ... Very! I thought I might die, but we made it, took more photos then walked back to the car to leave for the next hotel...

Unfortunately hitting "rush" hour...so that was fun, we took the top down in the car and just patiently crawled out of the city over the Bay Bridge. 

Two hours later we were at the hotel, grabbing a McD to eat in bed and watching crime shows on tv. 

Next, the long drive south down I5.

The adventure begins

Well. It's zero minus 24 hours. Soon DD and I will be jetting off to California, economy class don't get too excited, and starting the driving and the fun.

I'm still nervous of disaster but DD is being amazingly calm and we have discussed that if things go wrong we will laugh and call it a "tale to tell".

I've done all the stuff I need to do except the online check in, can't do that until another few hours have passed apparently. Disney tickets have been bought and printed out though.

Blogger Bear (via @bigfashionista's blog) arrived at lunchtime. I had almost forgotten about him! DD was very excited to get him to try on some new clothes and have is photo taken for his passport. There is currently a Bear Passport Office in operation in her bedroom, scissors, glue and appear all over the place. BB seems happy but bemused. I hope he likes the trip and isn't airsick.

I've recorded a CD for the car. It's not great but better than nothing. LMFAO feature, as do the Monkees, and Katy Perry, there might be an Eagles track...

Poor Mr TM, who is not coming as he doesn't like that sort of thing, has managed to get a cold! So now he can't even drive us to the airport. He will lay at home snivelling and coughing while we get a taxi.

More news as it happens.

The Terrifying Girls' Trip of a Lifetime

Hollywood, LA, San Francisco, Trip of a Lifetime...





Maybe I'm bigging this up too much.

Having saved for over 5 years DD and I are leaving Mr TM to fend for himself while we jet off to California, grab our convertible and drive the Pacific Coast Highway into fun and fabulous adventure.


Well that's what happens in my head. In reality I'll most likely lose my luggage, miss the flight, find I booked the wrong car or the wrong hotel or or...

So that's how it is. I am both WILDLY EXCITED to be flying to LA in only a few weeks, to meet up (for a second time) with my online friend @MitziMimiMom. Excited to be eating in IHOP and TacoBell again (that may be DD actually - she's been pining for American food , I think she has forgotten how, after only 5 days there last time she begged "buy something with veg, I miss broccoli" LOL) We are excited for beer, and curly fries, for ice cream cake and American Football....

But also nervous of driving (first time I'll have driven in the States though I've been happily driving in the UK for 20-mumble mumble years) nervous of how to fill up with gas (I have the oddest fears, honestly - apparently in the US you pay first and this is freaking me out - how will I know how much fuel the car holds? How will I know what I need? What if the unleaded pump is not green (it's not) etc) What if there is snow on the high ground? I have no snow chains will I be arrested?? What if the satnav (GPS in American apparently!) I booked doesn't work? What if the maps I bought get lost or torn or wet...what if

But I'm defeating the nerves with planning. So far Trip Advisor has been my best mate. The reviews are hilarious. "This hotel lacks all basic essentials - there was no ice in the room" etc But having stayed at hotels I know what to really look for in a review (top tip on Trip Advisor is to read reviews from people that come from your country! We tend to share expectations!) So I haven't been totally put off by the odd one star review, (our first hotel has a 1 star review as the lady says her room was haunted! ace!) nor have I been totally swayed by the 5 stars... "I slept like a log" ok then...

I've booked hotels for most nights. I have planned a route. I've left bits in between to allow for my slow driving and unexpected stops to look at elephant seals and sea otters (sea mist permitting). I've planned days at Six Flags, at Disney, Whale watching, seeing Alcatraz. I've thought about museums, movie studios...but what have I forgotten?? Oh no...now I'm worrying again...

Checks passport dates for the 46th time, checks driving licence expiry, ticket etc

Do you plan for a trip? Do you worry? Or are you a relaxed traveller? I'd love to know!

RHS Flower Show - Hampton Court

Two men strolling along the side of the Thames

"are you going to the flower show?"

"Hampton Court?"

"No I always walk this way"

Ancient jokes aside, DD and I attended Hampton Court Flower show on Sunday and it was glorious. It was of course, hot, as we are in the middle of a heatwave summer. But we enjoyed the day none the less, it was lovely to see our old friend BEE CLEVER the Ecover Bee sculpture, and I was surprised to see how much Ecover was involved in the show! They had sent me 2 free tickets to attend but they sponsored the entire 'Inspire Zone' with innovative garden ideas to save water, the planet and our insect life.
 

Their concept garden was nice, the plants in it were the stars though, gorgeous blues and pinks encouraging bees and butterflies to hang around. The judges agreed as the garden won gold! There were also plenty of planters (large wooden troughs) sponsored by Ecover and designed by various well known gardeners.

We didn't see half of what was on offer at this great show. Never having been before we were content to meander (sweatily) through the gardens, into the floral display tent and browse the numerous shops. After purchasing a parasol DD found time for a quick paddle, earning her compliments from a lady passing by, on her colourfulness and beauty! We spent some time watching a fashion show, not usually my thing but it was cool in the tent, one model had a moustache and several were topless, so we forced ourselves. There was also a chihuahua (called Sweetpea) in a dress.

 

We went into a bee tent too! Met some bees and their keepers and had an excellent and informative chat on bee keeping, helping bees and volunteering with local bee groups.

By 4pm we were hot and tired enough to go home, so it was farewell to the lovely gardens, our friend the bee and the grandeur or Hampton Court, a leisurely boat ride to the station and off home.

All 111 photos I took can be seen HERE on my flickr account

Thanks to Ecover for the tickets.