THE BIG VILLAGE SHOW -- PART II

We spent this afternoon at the Big Village Show, touring the exhibits and seeing who won what.

It was a totally gorgeous day and we walked up through the National Botanic Gardens, revisiting the Japanese Garden which began it's life as an exhibit in Chelsea. The trees and plants had grown a lot since I last saw them.

The last time I was there, I had to stand on a scaffold to look over the wall into the walled garden. Today it was filled with fruit, vegetables, fig trees and plants and from one of the paths I took this photograph of the great glass dome, which is where they filmed a recent episode of Dr Who.

David Tennant so close...



The big day was yesterday, with the choir and the TV, but people were beginning to gather for the presentations and as we approached the marquees, the heart was pounding a little hoping that the dh wouldn't be disappointed.

The prize winning leeks. The prize winning carrots. The children's miniature garden. The prize winning flower arrangement.

Only when we'd admired everything else did we go into the marquee where the photographs were on display. And major excitement.

The dh had won first prize, second prize and also the blue ribbon for the best photograph in show! He absolutely refused to stand and be photographed wearing the ribbon (I would have, too!) but here it is.

THE BIG VILLAGE SHOW

There was a time when all the little villages in our area would hold their own "show" of garden produce, crafts, baking, etc. This year, they have all combined to hold the Big Village Show at the National Botanic Gardens which is just down the road from us at Llanarthne, near Carmarthen.

Along with loads of other exhibitors we arrived last night and, having found our way to the tradesman's entrance -- which gave us a behind the scenes view of the gardens, which was fun -- to set up the photographs which the dh has entered (in the spirit of community, which is what these shows are all about).

There are four big marquees and the flowers were already arriving -- I'll take some photographs when I go back on Sunday to have a really good look around.

One of our friends, Les Bryan, is entering his hand carved love spoons and spinning wheels -- and his granddaughter will be entering in the miniature gardens category (she won last year!)

Everyone was so friendly and having such a great time. I hope the crowds turn out to enjoy the spectacle -- and the gardens of course, which are now taking on their autumn colours. It's worth the walk to the top of the hill just to see the stunning views.

Oh, and for the Dr Who fans amongst you, the Garden's great Glass House will feature in Dr Who and the Waters of Mars, to be on UK screens "Novemberish" -- there's a clip on the Garden's website (I can't figure out how to put it here).

News of my trip to London later in the week!