Roses

Two weekends ago I set off with husband and youngest son to travel to the Teddy Bear Artist Event, in Stratford-upon-Avon, on the Sunday.Before I share the photos of where we visited on the preceding Saturday, here is an interesting panoramic pic of the lovely octagonal hall in the civic buildings. (well done Ashley!)

This year we decided to go to David Austin Roses - a world renowned breeder and nursery of old English roses near to Wolverhampton in the West Midlands. I have always wanted to visit the viewing gardens as I adore roses; especially those with delicious fragrances. The rain stayed off all morning until we had finished looking around, and as an extra bonus we got to see some partial aerial displays whilst various helicopters and aircraft practised for the next day's air show based at RAF Cosford!

The various gardens are laid out in beautiful style, aiming to show off the roses to their full advantage. I spotted "Golden Celebration" which was the one I bought for my parents on their 50th wedding anniversary - it is definitely one of the strongest perfumes. I also particularly liked "A Shropshire Lad" and "Jubilee Celebration" for their strong perfumes .... but then I loved them all! Truthfully, I felt as though the whole place was a sweetie shop stuffed with an ever-more delightful display around each corner! Even a (fairly) uninterested 15 year old was sniffing everything by the end, and talking about the merits of this bloom conformation compared to that!

Ashley took hundreds of photos - so here are just a few to drool over:-

 

 

The size of this next one had to be seen to be believed!!

There were so many ravishing blooms in all sizes and shapes. I highly recommend a visit, and not the least for the rather quaint waitress-service tea rooms, where we snarfed big chunks of cake from pretty, rosey china. How I wished I could leave there with a car boot full of plants!

Before leaving, we just had time to say hello to the free roaming peacocks who had kept up a constant "N'yark N'yark" whilst strutting around as resplendent as the roses.

I'll be sighing over the catalogue for quite some time .....

T.T.F.N.   Ruth XX

I'm Very Honoured...

... to have won "Best Miniature Design and Workmanship Excellence" in the ACD Awards!! Wowee, I've been bursting with pride ever since I heard the news. Here is my lovely glass award trophy (the little gold one is sent to each nominee)

I am particularly thrilled to have won this award as the final nominees are scrutinised by three hands-on judges, and having received the critique sheets back I can tell you that it is an extremely rigorous process! At first it felt like opening a school report again (would it be very good or so-so??) but I was delighted (and relieved) to read it through and place Velvetina as an "A" student! I did get some lovely positive comments as well - actually, I'm not sure if I've stopped grinning since :0)

Next year the theme is "Under the big top" and I feel certain that the Awards will go from strength to strength, with lots more entrants, as taking part is truly testing and challenging for each artist.Many Congratulations to all of the particpants, and to Robyn Roe, and Linda Down who also received awards., and especially to the judges and Sandi Smith who has worked so incredibly hard to organize everything. Hugs and Kisses! ((xx))

Finally, I thought I'd post a pic of Miss Velvetina Water Vole from another angle:

TaTa For Now,
Ruth XX

Please visit the ACD Awards show

The show has opened over at BAO   Please click the link if you'd like to pop over and see all the entries in the Beatrix Potter themed competition.All entries are up for adoption - and there are some really unusual critters and interpretations of B.P characters. You can also vote for "The People's Photographic Choice" (click each pic for details and a closer look) Voting runs until 4th June.

Enjoy! :0)

Ruth xx