Glad you both had a lovely day. It is fabulous isn't ? And so true the cameras don't do it justice. We were walking round in a kind of stunned silence for the first hour.
My favourite garden was Roger Petty's, Chris Beardshaw's , the Australian one (I too thought of Echt whilst there) and the NSPCC childhood one). Next time I go (and I'm determined there will be a next time) I'll do it differently as I don't think we fully did some of the larger gardens justice as we were quite knackered by then. More refreshment stops were in order. I feel very lucky to have been able to go. And found getting the coach up to London from here is very easy and well priced, a bonus for future London trips.
My Chelsea trip has brought on a bit of a plant buying splurge . Our local garden center had a 50% off table so I now have a Magnolia Stellata to go into a pot (then my bargain bare root magnolia turned up yesterday, might donate that to DS's school) a dwarf lilac 'Josee' after my Dad saying how lovely it is and the Red Pixie version catching my eye at Chelsea, a free replacement Zephirine Drouhin, an Achillia, thyme and sweet peas, all for £23 so was very pleased with that.
However things got then more expensive when at another place I saw the Raymond Evison new introductions at Chelsea and Giselle and Samariton Jo found their way into my trolley. I then found myself in a nursery I had forgotten about and came out with a further clematis, a rose, lavender, Aquilega, 2 Heuchura, osteopermum and primula for less than the two clematis.
I have spent a lot on plants this year but am planting up the back garden which hasn't had any plants in it really in the 10 years we've been here as was first a children's playground then the dog trashed it. Most things have been good value though and I could have spent lots more. Just added it up I'm at just under £200. But that's 2 David Austin Roses, two very decent sized camellias, decent sized standard olive tree, two acers, 2 hostas, a magnolia tree, another rose, 5 clematis, hydrangea, lavender, Fatsia, standard blueberry, aquilegia, alchemia mollis, thyme, sweet peass, Lady Banks Rose, dwarf lilac, couple of alliums, lots of geraniums, pot of grass that's been split plus the Zephirine Drouhin. Oh dear, that is a lot of money still it doesn't seem too bad as you produce your card each time but soon adds up. But put in context of doing a new garden maybe it's not too bad
It's been my dealing with Mum's dementia diagnosis diversion activity and it has helped a lot thinking about it. However my allotment is sadly neglected so I'm going to go up there now and get a couple of hours in before hoarded of tourists arrive and try to speak it me whilst I've digging.