CHELSEA CELEB BINGE

So in essence I think we can pretty much sum up Chelsea Press Day with this charming epithet. It resulted from me trying to spell Martyn Cox's celebrity BINGO on my phone and repeatedly mistyping, but to be honest, celebrity BINGE is probably more accurate. 

I dunno. I mean, it's extremely good fun. I saw many of my fellow bloggers. I experienced the joy of Chelsea Flower Show Gadgets and Tat:

I even saw some super Chelsea Gorgeous Things I May Copy (yes! that's an actual colander!):

I twittered like mad. I got a grin out of Stephen Fry (looking surprisingly slim and trim actually):

I fell for one of dem fatal flower show offers (and then had to carry a huge green enamel watering can all the way home on the tube): 

I saw a grown and beautiful woman dressed as an, err, bee?

But of course the real joy of the day isn't exactly the gardens, or the plants, or the piles of catalogues I now have to look at, or anything else, it's the people I spent the day with that will make me remember it. 

I had a chat with Marina Christopher, amazing nurserywoman, and Lady Tollemache, distinguished judge, about the way the judging happens. Did you know you can get points deducted for planting something where it couldn't grow in nature (a bronze fennel under a tree in one case)? Or, that you can also get done for 'cramming' - stuffing your flowerbeds too full. Eek. 

I had a chat with David from The Children's Society about what they get out of doing a Chelsea garden, and how they make the numbers add up. They justify their expense by inviting many potential donors to the Gala Reception which can persuade big money to part with large sums. 

I walked round the pavilion with Lara Jewitt, team leader from the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew, talking about what she wants to get at Kew for next year (outdoor pitcher plants) and hearing about her own garden: she lives with two photographers, but she is completely in charge. 

I went to the pub with Alys Fowler who I now just totally love. For her fold-up bike, elegant 1950s fashions, and just, Alysness. She wants to get an allotment. GET ALYS AN ALLOTMENT. 

I had a number of chats with a number of delicious gardening people. And I met some new ones, like the political editor of our paper, with whom I had an in-depth think about growing carrots. Martyn Cox's sage advice: try the round-ended baby ones. 

I had a funny time with the film crew from QVC and I did a bit of stuff about their garden which they might use on their shopping channel. (!) I said it was sexy and the kind of garden I'd like in real life - a fountain and a built-in barbecue. Just put in a Tiki bar and I'll give you a downpayment. 

I waved to Matthew Wilson, who looked as handsome as ever, and had to restrain myself from chasing Joe "He To Whom This Blog is Devoted" Swift down the Main Avenue yelling "I LOVE YOU". 

I saw Victoria, to whom I am also devoted, and moaned enviously about how Jane Perrone and the Guardian had a CAMERAMAN for like FILMING. I am no Fanny Price, suffering my poor relationhood in silence. 

I found out how Which? go about rating compost and growbags, with the deliciously-named Veronica Peerless (from Which?). Extremely intensive testing. 

I kissed Mr James Alexander-Sinclair which is always a pleasure as he is award-winning. 

And as the photo would indicate, I had some more good times with Lila and Cleve. 

Honestly it was a pretty random day. I think I saw some gardens in there, somewhere, too. And if there was just one thing I could have changed about today, it's that I wish all of you could have been there too.