Hylands, Hollywood and H

H and I decided yesterday to get tickets for the Hylands Flower show as the forecast looked good and it's a lovely way to while a few hours. I had time for a dip first, so 4m25s at 17°, and then my daily reading and reflection on yesterday. It's the best way to start my day.

Inside the house are all the floristry displays and this years theme was Hollywood. These shoes caught my eye in the Hollywood wedding section. We moved outside to the stalls and lingered back and forth deciding on our buys. I settled on vanilla nemesia, that Michelle had told me about, Tulbaghia, which have silver edged, long, green, pointed leaves and smell of garlic. The leaves can be used in salads, while the flowers are a mix of Nerine and agapanthas. I also bought a red Clematis and some rusted-looking stakes with artichoke heads on. They look better than they sound!
We wandered down through the rest of the other stalls and found the Sound Collective choir, just about to sing. Emma used to lead our WI choir, but sadly that all ended when she left the WI and I miss the singing.  Saw many old faces who all encouraged us to try it out at Danbury on a Friday morning or Baddow Thursday evening. I think I will after half term. I also saw Claire and her mum, who was the lady that gave me my first mosaic commision (extra).
We then met Angela and her cousin and joined them for a limoncello spritz while sharing their picnic blanket. It was lovely to sit and enjoy the sun for a while and people watch the crowd enjoying their buys. 
I went to watch the end of the cricket with FK in MrK's corner and at the finish of day 1, Essex have let it slide a bit. Went to chat with one of the umpires, Midders, who used to play for Essex many moons ago it seems.
It's been a lovely day.