Friends

Helen and I have been friends since the first year of Secondary School, playing hockey and involved in a dance group with other close friends throughout that time.  We lost touch when we all went off to Higher Education but rediscovered each other a few years ago and now we meet up two or three times a year.  Helen's husband Tim recently had a fall from a ladder and has had a hip replacement as a result so our choice of venue for meeting up today had to take into account his steady recovery.  RHS Harlow Carr was a no brainer.

We were held up by roadworks on our way across Burley Moor.  A Comms company is busy installing broadband all over our area and roadworks abound.  Thankfully, we were only ten minutes late and decided to have cuppas before touring the gardens.  What a surprise to see JeanneB53 and husband Chris in the cafe! 

The gardens promise much colour in a few weeks' time, but not quite yet although there were some pretty groups of crocus and the annual border of  stunning iris reticulata around the vegetable plots.  It was enjoyable to move at a slower pace around the paths and easier on my creaky knees!

We took a look in the Bath House, which is often the venue for exhibitions.  At the moment it is home to the Japanese Shop and it had some beautiful wares.  I treated myself to a teapot and cup which I shall use for my Pi Lo Chun tea.

We paused for lunch at the Harrogate Arms and then it was time to head for home, via the garden shop of course!  Lovely to see and catch up with Helen and Tim.  Here's to the next meet up.