Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
SRGC Shows and Events => Events => Topic started by: Maggi Young on April 06, 2007, 02:52:00 PM
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WEST OF SCOTLAND DISCUSSION WEEKEND 5-7 OCTOBER 2007
Annual weekend get-together of SRGC Members.
The 2007 Discussion Weekend will take place in the Beardmore Hotel, Clydebank, adjacent to the River Clyde and north-west of Glasgow. The Beardmore is a spacious modern hotel with beautifully-appointed rooms and public areas and a high standard of cuisine. The hotel was built as a conference venue and lectures are in a comfortably-seated tiered auditorium. The leisure facilities including a heated pool are available for the use of delegates. It is easily accessed by road and rail (from Dalmuir Station) and there is ample parking in its grounds.
Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, has many attractions for the visitor. These include an impressive architectural heritage and a lively social and cultural life. The newly refurbished Kelvingrove Museum and Kibble Palace glasshouse at the Botanical Garden are great attractions. The city centre, with the best shopping outside London, is 20 mins away by train from nearby Dalmuir Station.
Accommodation is in double, twin or single rooms. There is no ground floor accommodation but there are lifts to all floors. If you wish to share a room please arrange this before booking and indicate the name of the person you wish to share with on the booking form, otherwise we will use our judgement. Extra nights accommodation for Thursday 4th and Sunday 7th are available at £40 per person sharing, £70 single. Please indicate on the form reverse if you need either. IMPORTANT: please note that no smoking is allowed anywhere in the hotel or its grounds.
A booking form is included in the Secretary’s Pages; please ensure that the form and remittance reach the Registration Secretary not later than 15th September:
The Registration Secretary, Anne M Chambers, Suilven, Drumore Road, Killearn, Glasgow G63 9NX.
If you require further information write to Anne at the above address, or e-mail annechambers730@btinternet.com, or telephone 01360 550537.
RESIDENT
Friday dinner – Sunday afternoon tea, double occupancy £187
Friday dinner – Sunday afternoon tea, single occupancy £210
Saturday morning – Sunday afternoon £135
NON-RESIDENT
Saturday – morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea £45
Saturday – morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner £71
Saturday Dinner £26
Sunday – morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea £45
Friday 5th October
16.00 Registration
16.00-17.30 Plant staging
19.45 President’s Welcome Address
20.00 The Bulb Group Lecture
Tony Goode - ‘A Gardener’s Guide to Crocus’
21.30 Small Bulb Exchange
Saturday 6th October
08.00-09.00 Plant staging
08.30 Registration
09.00 Optional activities
11.30 Jim Jermyn & Anne Chambers – ‘Meconopsis and other Himalayan Treasures’
12.30 Plant Show opens
14.00 Alan Furness – ‘The Crevice Bed, a way of succeeding with choice alpines’
15.45 The Harold Esslemont Lecture
Panayoti Kelaidis – ‘Exploring the World’s Steppes for Alpines’
19.00 Dinner
21.00 Plant Auction
Sunday 7th October
08.30 Registration
09.30 The William Buchanan Lecture
Cyril Lafong – ‘Growing Plants in the Alpine House’
11.30 Panayoti Kelaidis – ‘A Comparison of S. African & North American Flora’
14.00 The John Duff Lecture
Roy Sexton – ‘The Secret Lives of Our Native Orchids’
The Beardmore Hotel
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Here is where the hotel is located:
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Here is a route map:
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Here are a few pix of the Hotel to tempt you;
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Maps and Travel instructions to the Hotel will be sent to everyone when they make their booking.
I have got directions for anyone who wants them but will only post here a couple of handy hints received with the travel directions, from Ian Doig:
BY AIR: EDINBURGH AIRPORT : YOU ARE AT THE WRONG AIRPORT!
BY BOAT : RIVER CLYDE : JUST SAIL UP THE CLYDE TO THE HOTEL !!!!!
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There are one or two details to be finalised for the programme of the weekend but I think you can already see that there are some great talks to learn from and to enjoy. Speakers of quality from all over the world of alpines...what could be more delightful than a weekend in a smart hotel with such entertainment?
I am making repeated pleas to the Glasgow OrganisingCommittee that it would be a good idea to get an outsider (ME!) to test all the menues to assure quality control for the weekend's dining experience, but so far I have had no reply whatsoever...I live in hope, naturally. Perhaps a day or two to test the leisure facilities, also? I am willing to help in any way I can!!
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A Crocus lecture - very very exciting and a chance to meet King Croconut
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and what's a sticky topic, Maggi?
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Having spent many many hours working on a Powerpoint version of my crocus lecture I would encourage everyone to sign up for the weekend. If one person signs up for every mouthwatering crocus included in the talk we can fill the hall twice! Having said that I am looking forward to the other lectures even more ;)
BTW most of the hours were spent at work where things are a bit on the quiet side
and a sticky Topic is a type of chocolate bar but its better if kept in the fridge ;D
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A sticky topic always sticks to the top of the page.
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A booking form for the Discussion Weekend is included with the mailing of the July Journal , though the details of the event are not... please point anyone asking about the event to this page for details.
There are still some places available....send the booking form to Anne Chambers, "Suilven" Drumore Road, Killearn, Glasgow G63 9NX.
Further details made be obtained from Anne at this email address: annechambers730@btinternet.com
or by telephone 0136055037.
If you have lost the booking slips sent out with the January and July Journals, email me at info@srgc.org.uk and I will send you an e-copy that you may print out and send to Anne.
No point in emailing booking form to Anne... you still need to send her your payment by snailmail!!
Bookings and remittance need to reach Anne BY 15th September 2007.
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We are looking forward to meeting up with our SRGC buddies again and sir is already checking out his wardrobe to see which ties will have an outing. The weekend is always great fun I advise anyone who can make it do so.
Shelagh
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Yikes, I've just realised today is the last day to register! And what's more, I've searched high and low and cannot find either of my registration forms. Not sure where Maggi's Secretary's pages are on the site, did a search and came up with nothing when I put in Secretary's pages other than posts. Any help I'll be grateful. I have emailed Anne.
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Panic over, I've just found the form. Husband has quickly gone to post it off. Hope I'll be forgiven by a day for late application.
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You arent the only late one to register
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Hopefully see you there then, Mark.
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Anne was in Dundee today, as were we, at the Late Bulb Day. We were reminded that today was the deadline... I think you'll get away with it Christine!!
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Hope so Maggi, thanks. See you there.
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Wasn't able to go to Dundee today. James had rugby and I had to meet a man in a carpark in Doune about some mice lollies after lunch.
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'mice lollies'???
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Gawd, Carol, you shouldn't have asked that, I think it's frozen meeces for his snakes :P :-X :-\
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Well, Christine did get her booking in to Anne Chambers the Registration Secretary forthe Weekend .... BUT.....'To date Mark Smyth has not booked and the hotel deadline is now approaching so if he doesn't get his little finger out he will not be attending the Weekend.'
Mark, you've got a very angry woman in Killearn.... I'd get an email to her, and a cheque in the post or your Discussion Weekend is History!
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:-[
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There used to be a great incentive when early bookers got a discount. What happened to this?
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should singles really be penalised. Worst thing is being stuck with a snorer. I would have thought that dividing the total cost by the number of rooms would be a fair way. Before you shout my maths isnt the best
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Sometimes it is possible to negotiate with the hotel to waive the single supplement, sometimes it isn't. Each Group organising a weekend is able to go about it as they see fit... frankly, dealing with big numbers of people, even if they are members of the best club in the world is a flipping nightmare and my hat is off to anyone who does it. :o 8)
Everyone has a beef of some sort... I was moaning to Anne on Satruday that this hotel doesn't allow dogs so little Lily can't come...not to worry, the bruises will soon heal ! And she looks such a sweet woman, too... who'd have thought she packed such a punch? :P
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Yup, Maggi, got an email confirming I'm in. Cheque should arrive tomorrow with her. Looking forward to it!
Looking for a ride home though. Sue is going to give me a ride up, but she's staying longer and I need to go home on the Sunday. I have a number of people I can ask but if all fails I'll take the train. Do you know which meals are included? Guess I'll get that sort of thing when I get my confirmation letter etc eh? Sorry Lily can't come, would love to have met her. Here's my little pooch - Nipper - he's a boy, well a young man now I guess....
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Anne told me she'd heard from you, Christine. Nipper is cute, looks like a real character... these terriers are full of personality, aren't they? We are besotted with Lily, it must be said.
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Christine, all meals are included. I don't doubt there will be someone there who is going home in your direction. You will have a great time, I promise!
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Great Maggi, thanks. Glad the food is included ;D and I'm sure I'll be able to get back with someone. And yes, terriers are lots of fun. Ours is a rescued dog, he spent the first six months of his life in a coal shed and he's been making up for it ever since. He reckons my garden is is private park and he patrols the boundary very seriously. Likes to earn his keep.
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Is anyone passing Boat of Garten on the way down?
The Botanical Nursery http://www.thebotanicalnursery.com (http://www.thebotanicalnursery.com) stocks Prunus prostrata that I have been looking for for a long time. I made a special trough with a tall vertical 'crack' for it to live in. The postage quote is £50
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Mark, how are you travelling home from Glasgow. Brodie does not usually sell small plants. I know at £9 the Prunus is not big plant price but it could be a difficult size to take on a flght.
If you want to go ahead then contact him and see if he has one available. I will try and get down to Boat next week to collect it for you.
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travelling by car with Margaret Glynn. I'm the co-pilot unless I'm doing all the driving and dont know yet!
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Discussion W/E 2006 is on the old Forum so I will hijack this thread for a couple of minutes to show some Planthunters garden pics from yesterday.
You will remember that Peter Korn constructed a peat and crevice bed at the gardens as a W/E workshop in 2006 and this is illustrated in Sandys Show Report (site home page - hurry, it will soon be replaced with the 2007 report). Here are one or two pictures to show how the beds are settling down after a year and with some planting having taken place.
To come back to this thread proper: it is nice to see that Julia is preparing for the dwarf conifer class in the show with this Sciadopitys verticulata (it says) ;D.
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Hi David,
good of you to post some pics of this wonderful project and a garden I hope to visit again and again (time and travel money permitting!).
cheers
fermi
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I just booked the ferry for the discussion weekend. Scandelous fare. They should be encouraging people to travel by boat rather than fly
Who's attending?
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Alas, I'm busy all weekend and haven't been able to fiti it in. :'(
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When is your Trinidadian tattie holiday, Anthony?
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A week tomorrow.
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tattie holidays! I dont think we do them anymore.
How long are you away for?
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Back the following Thursday (18th).
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Sadly I couldn't make it to attend the discussion weekend :'(
Going to the AGS show in Gillingham tomorrow seems a rather nice alternative though, from here it's only a small pop-over the Channel :D
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Hi All,
First report from the Discussion Weekend here in sunny Glasgow.
Yes the sun is splitting the sky - most unlike the West Soctland - and everyone is arriving in good sprits determined to have a good time.
I do not have a cable to connect my camera to this PC terminal so no pictures yet, if I can find a way to down load the pictures I will.
Looking forwarrd to Chief Croconut's (Tony Goode) talk this evening.
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yes met the Croconut, Ian, Maggi, the Shaws, Susan, Julia, Big John, Ian of the Christie kind ..... if I missed you sorry
The food this evening um umm ummm! Thyme chicken and rock salt crushed tatties :D
Tony's on in an hour better go, bulbs to pack for the sales table.
You really should consider attending in 2008
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I should tell you what goodies you will miss from me
Rhodohypoxis Kiwi Joy - pot of
Galanthus Castlegar
Galanthus elwesii early Broadleigh form
Galanthus Marks Tall 2 bags of 4
Tulipa saxatalis or bakeri
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Great talk from Tony. Wonderful slides and enough info to make us all experts. No excuses any more.
This morning Jim Jermyn presented a selection of Anne Chambers photos of Mecs and associated plants in the Himalayas. Just fantastic. And it is still only Saturday morning!
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even more Crocus I want
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Any of you popping down to Craiglang to see Jack and Victor before you wend your way home? ;D
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KEY FOUND
I have found a small DELL padlock key where vehicles were loading plants behind the show hall, exactly where Sandy and Ann were parked.
A piece of tape on the back is inscribed AxSYSSEBEC.
If anyone recognises this please contact me.
David
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Here are a few things I took photos of at the Weekend.
1. Ascocenda at Glasgow Botanic Gardens Hot House
2. Picture of some delegates looking at plantings in Kibble Palace, Glasgow Botanic Garden
3. Paphiopedium spicerianum at GBG Hot House
4. Sue G. with her well deserved East Lothian Cup for best plant, Sect 2
5. The winning plant with cup
6. Cyclamen cyprium that I liked very much
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Thanks to everyone for organising such great speakers and tasty food ;D
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We're just home, spent an extra night.
It was a really super weekend, we had a great time. Many congratulations to Sue on her success with that pretty Cyclamen mirabile, perfect plant, winning the trophy and a certificate of merit!
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Yes, Maggi. As a complete newbie, it was an experiment, but one I shall repeat, (bank manager permitting). I had to wait until the last minute to decide due to personal circumstances, but it was the right decision to go. Everyone was so friendly, to this complete stranger and I had a super time. Food was good, spent too much money on plants and other bits which is always a good sign, hotel was terrific, couldn't fault it really. And as for the weather, well..... couldn't have been more perfect - not a drop of rain to be found, and we even got a bit of a sun tan on Friday afternoon sitting outside eating lunch. Well done everyone! Anyone reading this that didn't go, you must make plans to do so next year, its fabulous!
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So glad you had a good time too, Christine... you gave every impression of enjoying yourself, I must say!
Certainly more expensive than spending the weekend at home, working in the garden etc but SO MUCH MORE TO ENJOY and all those people to meet! Even the BD considers it money well spent! It is the highlight of my year, ranking with the Early Bulb day as a TOP Pleasure!
Thought the food was really good, SO important to us, (not just ME) to be well fed!
Can't decide which talk I liked best, they were all terrific. Quite different, too, so lots to think about.
Sue was in good form at breakfast and we have just arrived home, complete with Knud Lund, who is flying home from Aberdeen, so was able to come with us and have enough time for a look around the garden and a cup of tea before Ian took him to the airport. He's just going home to repack his case, off to London in the morning, but he wanted to get his plants back to Norway today!
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Jean Wyllie would have won the Forrest Medal, but it was the same plant which won in Ponteland so could not win another this season. Jean also won most points in the open section, with a fine collection of plants. Harvey Shepherd brought a good car load for the show, as he kindly does each year, as did lively Forumists ( well, Brian is out there, lurking, even if Shelagh is the one who actually joins in with us!) Shelagh and Brian Smethurst. I discovered the secret to the discussions at Ponteland about " Estonian Magazines"... it appears that a freind of the Smethurst's writes for an Estonian Gardening magazine and had visited them and visited the AGS Chesterfield Show. Hence copy od super Estonian magazine with SEVEN page spread on the Black Pudding Girl, the ever dapper Brian, their garden, [plants and the AGS Show... quite delightful! Unhappily my grasp of Estonian did not extend ery far beyond Shelagh, Brain, AGS, Chesterfield and a copouple of latin plant names, though one got the gist that it was all very complimentary. We have some pohtos of the mag to follow in due course. Lots to do here after time away, so please be patient.
Shelagh was off to the dentist firstthing this morning with a nasty toothache, so I hope that it is much better now, Shelagh! :-*
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What a fantastic weekend :) Like Ian & Maggi we stayed over last night and only came home this afternoon and have been busy sorting out the goodies we bought.
It was great to put faces to forum members names and to hear the chief croconut's talk! Though, like Maggi, I would find it hard to say which talk I enjoyed most. All were interesting and, hopefully, I have learned a little more...
All I cansay to those folk who could have been there and weren't is... you'll never know what you missed! BUT you can get a flavour of it all by coming next year :)
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Just a quick picture of the 15 active forumists who were at the weekend.
Who can you spot?
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Maggi will name them all later but now she is tidying the house a bit before Peter Korn arrives - he is speaking to the Aberdeen Group tonight.
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17 Ian, I am hidden by Bob Brown and Carol by Mark ;D
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Bob Brown, from Patchogue, New York, is a regular at Discussion Weekend, though not, as far as I am aware , a registered forumist! Bob, if you are a lurker and reading this, you'd better join in, sharpish!
We missed you there behind Bob, Susan, many apologies, just shows , though, what a slim little thing you are!
So, the line up of posting forumists..... ( there were other registered forumists at the weekend but the BD got despotic and said only POSTING forumists could come for the photo ::)
left to right:
Brian Wilson, Darren Sleep, Sandy Leven behind Sue Gill, Peter Maguire (wearing a lovely blue shirt and a fine beard) the ubiquitous Bob Brown who is hiding Susan Band ( look carefully, you will spot her blond hair), peeking through is smiley Christine Boulby, tall blond guy behind is Peter Korn, chubby woman in front, dressed as a bed of Iris is Maggi Young, behind, in glasses, is David Shaw, then the Bulb Despot Ian Young, then, looking very shy, is Geir Moen, Carol Shaw is peeping out from behind Mark Smyth, fixing us all with a huge smile is the Chief Croconut Tony Goode, and the lovely lady in red is none other than our own Black Pudding Girl, Shelagh Smethurst.
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I thought everyone seemed to have a huge smile during the weekend ... not to mention the outright guffaws during Panayoti's lectures :D Mind you, his charismatic style and dynamic delivery did not hide some serious points as well as lots of information.
Thanks are due to all the organisers - it was a great weekend. Good to meet up with some 'virtual' friends, renew some old acquaintances and make some new friends too.
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Here's another shot of the Forumists... Susan can be seen better in this one!
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Just noticed Christine's nice red shoes, even brighter than Ian's!
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President Ian, of the Christie kind, and the First Lady, Ann, were both looking very well and are seen here at their table for the dinner on Saturday. Pity there is no photo of Ann's suit in all its glory, bright red and VERY smart indeed. Her husband scrubs up very well, too!
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Congratulations to the First Couple, who are celebrating their wedding anniversary today
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Congratulations indeed Ian and Ann.
Nice to see the pictures from the weekend. Even if some of them do have me in them...
The lectures were all superb. Once again Susan and I had a great time with lovely people and unfortunately had to run for our train before we could say goodbye (except to Tony G and Ian Y on the way out). We never did get the green roof planted on monday as we planned as the weather was not too good, but I did plant my acquisitions from the bulb exchange.
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Mark,
Have you any picures of your nerine collection you had at the show, they were looking good.
Any other show pics anyone?
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Individually but not at the show
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Ian has some pix, Susan, but he is enjoying Peter's visit now and then must get this week's Bulb Log written, so it may take a while to show them!
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I know he will enjoy the visit. He told me he had to do 1000 miles to get to the discussion weekend
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I believe Peter is enjoying his Lecture tour, Mark. His car is weighted down with plants.... for every two he sells he buys four, I think! I was horrified to learn that the ferry fare across is £500 ! Yikes! :o
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Here's Maggi doing some extra work during the weekend
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These were taken at the garden we visited on Saturday morning
Canna indica
Cyrtanthus parviflorus
Nerine sarniensis 'King of the Belgians'
Nerine sarniensis var courusca 'Major'
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and some more
Loropetalum chinesnsis
Iochroma cyaneum
Impatiens repens
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There are more to edit but out of sequence here is a great sunset Margaret and I saw on the way home. If we had been two minutes earlier we could have got the sun setting behind Ailsa Criag
http://www.maybole.org/photogallery/ailsacraig/ailsacraig2.htm (http://www.maybole.org/photogallery/ailsacraig/ailsacraig2.htm)
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Only those attending the weekend will understand the photo of Maggi getting work.
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Super shots Mark...more please when you can spare the time....
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Our Discussion Weekend finally closed last night when Peter Korn gave his talk to Highland Rock Garden Club; along with Moray Club and guests from Dyke Garden Club, Ardersier Garden Club and other local gardeners we had a turn out of about 60 persons!
The picture shows Davie Sharp giving the vote of thanks to Peter.
Carol and I are now just about 'talked out'. Our own local talk was last Wednesday and finishing this Wednesday we have had five days of talks in an eight day period. Thank goodness for a couple of weeks rest before the next one - no complaints though, it was a great time.
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I went around the Show taking groups of pictures so I will post them in order as I walked around the classes that way you can view the show.
Click on thumb nail picture to view full size.
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Next batch of pictures.
In the fifth photo, the plants on the left are the three which won President Ian (the Chrisitie kind) the Peel Trophy for three pans of Gentians, the almost white 'Limelight' at the front, 'Angus Beauty' in the middle and a Gentiana seedling behind.
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next
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Next
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A few extras. Some of Mark's Nerines
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I'm off tomorrow and will photograph my Nerine collection and then go picking sloes. Sloe Gin time is upon us!
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Now for some people pics.
A fine pair of statues decorate the entrance to the Beardmore Hotel
Anne Chambers and Anne Bush, the two Annes, without whom there would have been no Discussion Weekend..... Thanks, Annes!
Brian Smethurst,, managing to conceal his very smart red spotty bow tie.
Darren Sleep and SueGill
Dorothy Brown, though only just at the left edge, with George and Rose Sevastopulo
Ian Young and Carole Bainbridge apparantly exchanging hearts!
John Amand, Maggi Young , being hypnotised by Panayoti Kelaidis
Julia Corden and Ron McBeath, with half of Susan Band!
Maggi the stand up in action.
Maggi Young, Mark Smyth and Panayoti Kelaidis.
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A few more people pics
Margaret Glynn and Geir Moen, improving Irish/Norwegian relations
Robert Unwin and John Graham concentrate on coffee
Susan Band, Peter Korn and Margaret Glynn
Tim Lever and Wilf Holmes
Tony Goode with Susan and Darren Sleep.
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Super stuff Ian....I promise I will try and join you all next year.....(are those audible groans I can hear from all over the known alpine world....and Bury)? :)
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Suppose I'd better order a bow tie now.....any preference for colour?
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Hooray! You and Sue will be welcomed with open arms next year, Cliff... you can wear any colour bowtie you like, as far as we are concerned, though you may wish to consult with Brian, in case he already has his wardrobe decided upon.
The Show was rather pretty, don't you think? Many congratulations to all those who brought their plants along.... she said, in a guilty manner, not having brought any. :-[ :-[ :'(
I've just been exhorting some more chums to attend next year.... I just know they'd love it... and it's cheaper than the Alps!
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The show was EXCEPTIONALLY pretty, especially those gorgeous gentians....congratulations Mr President sir!!! Another moment in the 'Limelight' Ian?
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Killer plants from the glashouses we visited
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a couple more
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an assortment from the same glasshouses
Aeonium glutinosum
Aeonium holochrysum 'Sunburst'
Canna indica
Echium wildpretii
Fuschia or as a neighbour calls them fooksy
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and finally from me
?interest in what the head man has to say
and Malcolm looking like he's getting a rollocking - does he look like he cares
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A few more pics from me of things at the Botanics - hardly alpine in size I know! ;D
I was rather taken by the squirrel benches too.
Sue
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The iron work structure is amazing and hugely decorative. Great shot of the tracery of the palm against the tracery of the glasshouse, Sue, really like that one.... I would think that has Grreting card potential!
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Superb set of pics from this year's discussion weekend at http://www.srgc.org.uk/shows/discussion/report.html
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You are so right Anthony....a wonderful report....I particularly enjoyed the typo re: my very good friends; 'The immaculate Brain and Shelagh Smethurst
"! I shall always refer to him as that from now on. Anyone else remember the Mekon?
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I seem to remember my grandad telling something about the Mekon ;) (Oh Dare me) ::)
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That must be wonderful Anthony....being related to Methuselah?
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That was on my mother's side Cliff. Actually I do remember reading copies of the Eagle comic in our local (Stirling - magnificent building built with money from some chap called Carnegie) library. History section, I think? ;)