Coach Trip: Hyde Hall, Essex
6th August 2016
With a couple more members than last year attending, the coach set off from Notcutts with our new driver, Steve, to Diss to pick up the remainder of our party. Those of us at the front of the coach, including Steve, were not quite sure where Diss bus station was, so we were looking out for members as we drove through. Suddenly we spotted someone who resembled Graham, so Steve pulled in and opened the door. The man got on, and he was a total stranger, but, fortunately, he wanted to go to the bus station, so we took him, in return for him telling us where to stop. The others were bemused by our arrival and an unknown man getting off the bus, but they all climbed aboard and settled for a very easy journey to Hyde Hall.
The weather was very warm indeed, and much better spent here than gardening. There were plenty of stalls selling interesting plants, enhanced by display squares in front of many of the stalls. I especially liked an arrangement that included a silvery purple Astelia 'Westland' and some very deep pink trumpet lilies. I bought a small Astelia and will buy some lily bulbs, and hope to live long enough to see a display as nice as theirs, in my own garden. There were also a number of stalls selling garden knick-knacks, as well as sundries and tools, and a semi- circle of food stalls, with an unusual array from hog-roast in a roll to Mediterranean street food. Having arrived around 11.00am and then leaving at 4.00pm, my friends and I found we had spent the whole day at the fair, so we are going to make another date to visit the garden.
Many thanks to Graham Boutell for organising a great day out.
Chris Davies
