Aberdeen show 2011

[Peter Maguire]

Now that is eyecatchin g!

[Lesley Cox]

Lesley I hope you are saving for the next trip, it would be lovely if you could come over with Otto, he said he wouldn't be coming to the next conference but I don't believe him 

Angie

No, Otto won't be going to the next one, until the first mention of it happens, then the thought will be going round in his mind. By the time it happens I wouldn't be at all surprised if he is there.

I am saving hard, at the rate of 6 walnuts and a few hazels per week. If I make it, I'll be 78 and Otto a few years older. We'll have to go together to hold each other up.

[Maggi Young]

Our wonderful Aberdeen squad of eager beavers have set-up the show hall and the first plants ( and cakes!) have arrived. The hall is already looking  good, even if the numbers may be a little down on last year.

There are some rather lovely plants on the benches already and there are a goodly number expected tomorrow. Hope it's a nice dry day.... apart from anything  else, the people "on the door" get perished if it's wet and windy!

Off now to check if Ian has all the camera batteries charged!

[angie]

Wonderful squad, that's only because we have great leaders. Maggi and Ian have it down to a fine art, without them, well I dread to think.

I had a peep at the cakes so I will be there bright and early to make sure i get my favourite cake
Looking forward to Maggi's soup as well. I have made all the sandwich fillings, I always dread that I might not have enough but Asda is only around the corner so I suppose I shouldn't worry.

Off to have a early night, up early tomorrow, first one there gets the bite of the cherry as they say. In my case it will be the bite of that big cake that I saw 

Angie

[SusanS]

I do hope someone will remember to take a photo of the cakes  ...... it sounds as if they are as big a draw as the plants  

Hope you all have a great day, looking forward to see the pictures later.  (Plants as well as the cakes    )

Susan x

[Darren]

Brilliant advert Maggi. Eyecatching and as Susan has just said to me - the words 'spring' and 'sale' really stand out. No mention of 'alpine' etc to put off the non-specialists. Spot on! 

[jomowi]

Super show today, thank you Maggi and Ian.  I was worried for you with our show being the last on the circuit and it being such an early season.  My 'seasonal markers' measured for a particular reason on May 17th are my golden form of the American (or Japanese?) oak.  In a 'normal' season the gold of the oak is at its peak against a backdrop of copper beech from a tree in a neighbouring property.  This year, the peak was 2 weeks ago.

Sorry, folks, no pics, - my camera is brilliant at outdoor close ups, but either it or my skills are no good with indoor flash and the related colour casts.  Be patient, there were plenty of cameras flashing away.

[Graeme Strachan]

I thought today’s show was excellent. I believe the visitor numbers were up on last year and the plants were splendid. I managed to  escape from the kitchen during a short quiet spell and made very short 360 movie of the hall’
You can see it here

Below are a selection of photos to give you a flavour of the day.

            Graeme

[Graeme Strachan]

Batch 2

[Graeme Strachan]

And the final 3

[Maggi Young]

Graeme.... a video, how super! Lucky you had the strength after the earlier assault  on the Teas to be able to wield a camera when the halls were quieter 

A great day with more on the benches than I had ever hoped after recent weather and we were blessed with lots of visitors who kept all the Gang busy throughout the day.

The Club Plant stall was busy and  nearly sold out everything... Jim and Agnes from Ardfearn had virtually no plants to take home .....a busload of visitors came from the Alford garden Club and were a cheery bunch. Some forumists did rather well in the show... more of which later!

Off to bed now to get into fit state for BBC tomorrow !

Thanks to all the exhibitors, helpers and visitors who made such a fun day for us all.
Everyone is home safely as far as I know so all is well with a great day!

[Graeme Strachan]

Angie,
         I must refer to your earlier post "Off to have a early night, up early tomorrow" ........I have a big wooden spoon!!!

I forgot to say that that the kitchen staff I worked for today worked their socks off and I thank them and the visitors for putting up with my cruel banter.

                      Graeme

[John Kitt]

I see no CAKES here!!

[Anthony Darby]

All gone John!

[angie]

OK, Graham I slept in  . Great show yes we worked our socks off.I never got out to see the plants till the afternoon.  I was lucky Jim and Agnes let me buy a few plants the night before the show. I think they new I would be busy in the kitchen. I to couldn't believe how little plants they had left. Just would like to say thanks to them for bringing their wonderful plants.

Anthony I did well so this is to you for giving me your plants  . I have put them back in their place and said thanks and told them they have to grow and stay alive for next years show.
Sorry no pictures a did have my camera but just didn't have a chance, maybe someone will post some pictures.

And I must say thanks to Ian and Maggi for such a wonderful show, now this is between me and you 
The show must go on, so no thinking of slowing down or letting someone take your place. It's your show and we all want you both their, so no thinking about slowing down. You might have only been joking about the show but just in case I thought I would just share how we feel.

Last thing since I was stuck in the kitchen for so long , I ate a few cakes or maybe just a little more than a few cakes myself

Thanks to everyone for a great day.

Angie