Tennessee Will Be Represented At Malvern

The seed was planted by Gail of Clay And Limestone. When the announcement was made by the perfectly pedicured VP of Veg Plotting and Helen of Patient Gardener about a blogger meet up at the Spring Gardening Show in Malvern Hills, and they threw the invitation open to the rest of the blogdom, regardless of locale, the dreaming began. We, Gail and I, chatted on the phone and in emails about how wonderful it would be if we could attend. But of course it was an impossible dream. Flying across the ocean was the biggest obstacle, how could it even be considered? The cost, the time, the all around scariness, no, it could not happen no matter how enticing the offer.

Time passes, wheels turning, cogs clicking all the while. In a lifetime of gardening, the gardens of England have always held the greatest allure. It is the one place singing the sweet siren call to get a true homebody to leave her garden, home and pillow. In spite of a great dislike of airplanes, airports and heights in general, inquiries were made as to the availability of flights, just to see what was out there. That was all it took, that first step. Suddenly the decision was made, it was possible, even probable that we would attend the Malvern Meet Up. The seed had germinated. A comment was left on the site that two intrepid travelers wished to crash the European event. The response was gratifying, we would be welcomed with open arms. There would be assistance in transport, locating a place to stay, and of course there would be wonderful people to meet and gardens to see. Whilst there will sadly be no plant or even seed purchases made to bring home, sniff, there are other items of the arts and craft type that could possibly be squeezed into a suitcase for the return trip.

Much planning and figuring still needs to be done, but the die is cast. The seed has sprouted. Excitement builds with each new posting by VP and Helen about the show and itinerary. Wellies are available in our sizes to be lent by the most generous of garden bloggers. Our passports are valid, the flight plans are made, two Tennessseans are coming to Malvern. We can't wait.

Frances

And we can't wait either, Frances and Gail :D