Chelsea Brighton
May, 2006
 

On May 22nd we met our coach after breakfast for our trip out to Wisley (starts with bench on pathway, ends with sculpture). Wisley is Britain’s best loved garden with 97ha (240 acres) offering a fascinating blend of the beautiful with practical and innovative design and cultivation techniques. For many, it is the beauty and tranquility of the garden that captures the imagination, with its richly planted borders, luscious rose gardens and the exotica of the glasshouses, but a closer look reveals the real value of Wisley. In the trials fields, the finest flowers and vegetables are identified from the countless new introductions. Elsewhere in the garden, cultivation techniques, such as composting or pleaching, are tried and tested, and a series of model gardens answers the needs of a variety of conditions and circumstances. The Shop at Wisley has the finest selection of horticultural books in the world, complemented by carefully selected merchandise including stationery, specialist food, china, glass, crafts and textiles. A guide to the garden is also available. Always a favourite place to shop for our tour guests!

http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/gardens/wisley/index.asp

Then it was back to our hotel where we enjoyed the rest of the afternoon and evening at our leisure..I decided to visit the Mews at Buckingham Palace and see some of the carriages that were on display. The two horses at the end are nearing retirement at 20+ years of age, so they will be going out to greener pastures soon, but still love the mints that the fellow gave them. I then include a couple of pictures of my room at the Rubens…lovely accommodations there.

May 23rd was also our day of leisure and was spent walking, visiting, and shopping. We all had special things we wanted to see this day.