The weather continues to remain remarkably warm and sunny. Not at all usual for this part of the world at this time of the year, so we will enjoy it while we can.
On Sunday, we decided to go to the Harrogate Flower Show. We’ve been hearing about this event since we moved here, so wanted to see what it’s all about. It was held at the Great Yorkshire Showground, a short drive, or, if you’re feeling energetic, a half-hour walk from our apartment. It reminded us so much of the Canfield Fair, held every Labor Day weekend in Brad’s hometown. There were a couple of halls with exhibits of prize-winning flowers and vegetables. I especially enjoyed the National Vegetable Society awards where we saw a 15-pound onion, leeks that were surely six feet tall and clean as a whistle, gorgeous blemish-free cauliflowers and many more wonders of the vegetable world. We also saw amazing displays of flowers. I never knew there were so many varieties of dahlias, carnations and fuchsia. I also saw that North England gardeners have quite the knack for bonsai. Very impressive. There was an interesting flower arranging competition with the theme "Bouquet for a December Bride". To my eye, it seemed many of the entrants were trying just too hard to be innovative. One bouquet featured roses that were wrapped around with silver thread, making the blooms look as if they were in bondage. Each entry was accompanied with the comments of one of the judges, who was quick to scold some entrants for having submitted a posy rather than a bouquet.
Aside from the exhibits there were tons of vendors selling all kinds of garden tools, outdoor wear, tools and gadgets, cheeses, honey, jams, cakes… But perhaps the highlight was the delicious Yorkshire Dales ice cream available from wagons parked at about every turn along the fair grounds. Unlike the Canfield Fair, there were no corn dogs available, but you could get your fill of fish and chips, burgers, pasties (savory pies) and toasties (grilled sandwiches).
The Harrogate Flower Show is held twice each year, once in autumn and once in spring. If the entrance fee were not so steep (10 pounds or about $16), we would be sure to attend at least once each year.
On Sunday, we decided to go to the Harrogate Flower Show. We’ve been hearing about this event since we moved here, so wanted to see what it’s all about. It was held at the Great Yorkshire Showground, a short drive, or, if you’re feeling energetic, a half-hour walk from our apartment. It reminded us so much of the Canfield Fair, held every Labor Day weekend in Brad’s hometown. There were a couple of halls with exhibits of prize-winning flowers and vegetables. I especially enjoyed the National Vegetable Society awards where we saw a 15-pound onion, leeks that were surely six feet tall and clean as a whistle, gorgeous blemish-free cauliflowers and many more wonders of the vegetable world. We also saw amazing displays of flowers. I never knew there were so many varieties of dahlias, carnations and fuchsia. I also saw that North England gardeners have quite the knack for bonsai. Very impressive. There was an interesting flower arranging competition with the theme "Bouquet for a December Bride". To my eye, it seemed many of the entrants were trying just too hard to be innovative. One bouquet featured roses that were wrapped around with silver thread, making the blooms look as if they were in bondage. Each entry was accompanied with the comments of one of the judges, who was quick to scold some entrants for having submitted a posy rather than a bouquet.
Aside from the exhibits there were tons of vendors selling all kinds of garden tools, outdoor wear, tools and gadgets, cheeses, honey, jams, cakes… But perhaps the highlight was the delicious Yorkshire Dales ice cream available from wagons parked at about every turn along the fair grounds. Unlike the Canfield Fair, there were no corn dogs available, but you could get your fill of fish and chips, burgers, pasties (savory pies) and toasties (grilled sandwiches).
The Harrogate Flower Show is held twice each year, once in autumn and once in spring. If the entrance fee were not so steep (10 pounds or about $16), we would be sure to attend at least once each year.
posted by lenora at 10:05 AM
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