Bits and Bobs from the Malvern Show

Off we went on Saturday - full of anticipation - sat nav at the ready - with a promise of sunny (if a little cold) weather.
We took a route down through Leominster and along the leafy lanes to Malvern - a well chosen route cutting out the notorious M6 - the sat navs favourite.
On arrival we parked up - put on warm jackets and sensible shoes and in we went through South Gate - popping into a marquee to warm up with tomato and basil soup - which had been seasoned well with pepper to add spice to the day and chunks of crusty bread.
We began to work our way up the first avenue dipping in and out of the many exhibition and trade stands - Juicy apples £2 for a large bag - wallflowers £1 a bunch and much more to tempt the eager visitors.




A visit to the Floral Halls was a must - as always excellent displays - with so many choices of plants to gaze upon and to buy - one of my favourites being the display of alpines - both plants and bulbs - such colour - and the Streptocarpus of course I fell by the wayside here and bought two plants - Fallinf Stars and Saxorum.

Outside again and past Oscar the Clydedale - demonstrating the art of log pulling and the falconer practising his skills at flying his birds - but oh dear ! one was a bit naughty and went for a fly around - one man said to me 'Ido love itwhen things don't go to plan' but then the falconer produced a dead something and after a couple of rounds of the ring - the bird flew down for hissupper - actually I think it was a girl' anyway the falconer scooped her up thankfully - and no harm done





Now best foot forward and into the Goodlife Exhibition Marquee - lots going on here - demonstrations - talks and advice to would be gardeners like me and also to see how gardening again had come up trumps and given a lifeline to those in need - H.M Prisons had a display showing how gardening had given to many precious hope.





On to the silk farm demo - complete with fat bright green caterpillars - chooping away - and large beautifully coloured moths - I was asked if I would like one to sit on my hand - what an amazing experience.
The Indian silk moth -Samia ricine - is usually fed on the Castor Oil Plant - but apparently also likes our English Privit - finding it quite acceptable




Next onto the Exhibitors Marquee to view the fine array of vegetables and flowers - dahlias - alpines - bulbs and many more .Huge marrows - pumpkins - onions adorned the veg section - what a great day - I certainly hope I can visit the Spring 2011 Malvern Flower Show

Over the river

One sunny evening this week it seemed the right thing to do - to go for a walk alongside the River Severn in Shrewsbury. We parked up just this side the Kingsland Bridge and strolled into Becks Fields - this walk takes you along past the Boat Houses and Shrewsbury Schools - and alongside the Quarry and Dingle on the opposite side of the river.

Discussion followed then about the correct pronunciation of Shrewsbury - some say it depends on which side of the river you are born - Shroosbury or Shrewsbury ? my gran always said Sozebree a very old pronunciation- and some have said Salop - but apparently this is quite rude in French ! - so this was discouraged - has anyone any other variations - if so please share




We continued our walk along the leafy pathways up to the top of Becks Fields - and caught in the evening sunlight through the trees a glimpse of the tower of St Chads - the Market Clock Tower as it is now and the spire of St Marys - we will visit all three at a later date


I found this old picture of the Old Market Hall on the web it is a watercolour - it shows how beautiful the original building was - it was actually built in 1869 - and
now lost for ever



We continued our walk - my partner in crime and my dog Blue - past the Shrewsbury Schools - another elegant clock tower - the schools are renown for their past scholars - Charles Darwin - Philip Sidney and in later years Michael Palin - Michael Heseltine - Willie Rushton and many more.



Walking downwards again - we all three stood and looked across towards the Quarry - Blue was watching a dog with a ball - with no other interest - and we cast our eyes towards the Hercules statue - at the bottom of Victoria Walk - a very fine figure - as he stood - hand on hip or somewhere!



Further up the Quarry close to the Dingle - stands the Band stand - this has been the central point of many a function - my father played here on his cornet in the thirties when he was a member of the Batchcott Brass Band



We continued on down the riverside walk- towards the Kingsland Bridge - past the two boat houses the Pengwern Boat House and the Shrewsbury Schools Boathouse - watching the swans with their cygnets silently gliding by - during the day trips are available on the river cruiser - but tonight all was peacefully quiet



We climbed up the steps onto the Kingsland Bridge just in time to catch a glimpse of a scull slipping silently by - the oars skimming the water - as the rowers kept in harmony



Through the trees a final glimpse of St Chads.

It is good to walk and talk and take time to gaze on familar sights - special moments to be treasured.