Let me introduce myself ...

[ranunculus]

Many thanks Hjalmar and Maggi,
Just the kind of advice that will be of immense help.
I may well request a little more info' over the weeks to come if that would be o.k.?

[Maggi Young]

But of course, Cliff.
 Here are some details about the Hotel Flora.....
Hotel Flora
www.hotelflora.se

Grönsakstorget 2
41117 Göteborg, Sweden
Telephone (00)+46 31 13 86 16   Fax (00) 46 311 324 08
Here is little map !

[Maggi Young]

Just been for a look at their website... looks like it has undergone something of a upgrade! Not sure how prices compare with last time the Gang were there......if Alan N or David B. are lurking, perhaps they'll let us (me?) know...

Ooh, the hotel has pages in English, too, I missed that!
 http://www.hotelflora.se/index_en.html

[Hjalmar]

Since Maggi mentions attractions outside the plant world, the one thing I tell all my foreign visitors to see is Ostindiefararen. It is a copy of an 18th Century ship that was used for trade with China. In fact, the copy has sailed to China and back. It seems it will be in Gothenburg until May, when it will go on a shorter trip in the Baltic sea.  When I was there a few years ago there was an exhibition about how the ship was built (using 18th Century techniques) and I guess that's still the case. Anyway, it is very interesting and something you cannot see anywhere else.

[Anthony Darby]

To China and back. That's a fair number of miles on one galleon

[Maggi Young]

Lucky for you, Anthony, that Cliff owes me so much chocolate already that I am relaxing my sanctions.
I do think you should come to the front of the class and sit up straight until the bell goes

[Lars S]

Thank you all for your kind words of welcome.

Yes Maggi, I have often been to the Göteborgs botanical garden, I actually grew up in the Göteborg area.
My main interest so far has been rhododendrons and magnolias and the garden has a great collection of those as well. However, this autumn I attended a lecture given by Henrik Zetterlund (who is one of the experts you mentioned) and got hooked on bulbs ...
Hjalmar also mentioned Peter Korn´s garden and I can add that Peter also has a home page (www.peterkornstradgard.se). There is a version in english.

Lars

[Anthony Darby]

Is that me on the naughty step again Maggi?

[Maggi Young]

Anthony, if I get enough of you reprobates on the naughty step, i think I'll need about five, I'm going to start a new band... the previous "Steps" are no more and I feel there could be a gap in the market... you will sing lead, of course...

[Paul T]

A belated welcome from me too.  Catching up after a week that was spent forum-less, so LOTS to read.  Welcome to all the new non-lurkers!! 

[fermi de Sousa]

Welcome, Lars,
it's easy to understand getting hooked on bulbs after hearing Henrik talk about them! I felt very priveleged to meet him and spend some hours at Goteburg last year.

Cliff,
the YHA has a place within walking distance of the Botanic Garden and was very reasonably priced.
cheers
fermi

[ranunculus]

My apologies friends.....for Gothenburg please now read Western Crete!   It seems that Peter Korn will be in the States during our proposed visit to Sweden so, rather than miss a visit to his beautiful garden, we will postpone our short trip to Gothenburg for approximately twelve months and we have now plumped for a week in Western Crete in mid-April (on the shrewd advice of Vic and Janet Aspland).  We are now eager for suggestions of places 'not to be missed', if you would all be so kind?  Obviously the orchids are going to be an enormous attraction (and the bulbs, of course), so any localities would be greatly appreciated.  We are staying about 8 kms west of Chania and will have our own transport.
Many thanks in anticipation....

[Renate Brinkers]

Hi to everyone,
I am glad to be a member of this great forum now and want to tell you something about myself.
I am 43 years old, married and live in the north of Germany, near the Dutch border. I am especially interested in bulbs and own a small nursery for rare plants, and bulbs offcorse. As I only have a small greenhouse with 20m˛ which is full with Amaryllidaceae like Clivia, Hippeastrum, a.s.o. I try to cultivate more hardy bulbs like Eranthis, Cyclamen and last year I started to grow Crocus.
Beneath the plants and ourselfs are two Border Collies, two cats, some fishes and rabbits living in our garden - so live is colourful.

[Maggi Young]

Hello, Renate, a warm welcome to the forum. Thank you for introducing yourself to us.
Has your nursery got a website? 

[Anthony Darby]

Welcome Renate. Great to have you join our merry band.