Well it's almost here - my favourite Flower Show of the year. Have to admit that the Spring Malvern Show runs a close second, and I am sorely tempted to attend the Malvern Autumn Show this year too. I had tickets for Chelsea, but just couldn't face the melee it is, so didn't go for about the 4th year running.

I haven't visited the Hampton Court Flower Show, since July 2008, when I took this picture.   I can't recall a year prior to that when I hadn't gone. The image holds a certain special meaning for me. It has come to represent life before cancer, because within a day of taking it, I went for a routine mammogram all women my age are invited to attend, completely oblivious of  the changes about to happen in my life.

This year I plan to go again, as a mark of my progress in returning to a more ordinary life, and picking up the threads of some of the things I used to love doing but seem to have fallen by the wayside.

I am going on Tuesday next week, and shall let the train take the strain, as it is a relatively simple and quick journey from home to Hampton Court, and beats the socks of getting stuck on the M3 with everyone else trying to get off at Junction 2  for the show. It has the added benefit, that it restricts just how much I can buy, as I have to carry it home on the train too.

Generally, I find it impossible to see everything; so I make myself a hit list of things not to miss.  This year it includes in order of priority, the Rose Marquee , the Edible Garden, and the Concept Gardens.

I shall also try and squeeze in time to peruse the Country Living Pavilion, as I bought some very gorgeous earrings there at the Malvern Spring Show, and I am tempted to see what's new.

I shall tune in for the TV coverage that starts on Monday evening, and hope that we are in for a good year, both gardens and weather wise.