The rain lashed against the windowpane, a dreary symphony that perfectly matched my mood. All I wanted was to burrow deeper under the covers with a good book. But that, as any mother of two unruly boys knows, is a luxury I simply cannot afford.
My peaceful reverie was shattered by a thud and a string of colourful language from my husband. The younger one, a pint-sized wrecking ball, had managed to pull the radiator off the wall. True story. Grumpy husband, now faced with yet another DIY emergency, grumbled as he screwed the thing back to the wall, while I wrestled the boys into their car seats. We had to get them out of the house.
The Royal Windsor Flower Show, come rain or shine, beckoned.
There’s something magical about car journeys that silences even the most boisterous children, especially when I squeeze myself between them in the back, effectively creating a human sound barrier. We have a big car for a reason, you see.
The atmosphere, much like the weather, finally lightened as we took a turn onto Watersplash Lane (yes, that’s a real name!). From the misty, muddy, yet strangely atmospheric walk from the car park, the first thing that caught our eye wasn’t a flower, but a sign for Berkshire Birds of Prey. “Wow!” I thought, “there’s much more than pretty flowers here!”
Berkshire Birds of Prey
The boys, looking astonishingly angelic for a fleeting moment, patiently lined up, waiting their turn to hold the gorgeous birds. Their fascinated expressions, wide-eyed and awestruck, said it all. For our family, this unexpected encounter was, without a doubt, the best part of the day.
Luckily, the rain had stopped, allowing us to venture through the displays.
We explored the edible garden, where, predictably, one of the boys managed to sneak off behind my back and sample a raspberry. “These are the sweetest I’ve ever tasted!” he declared, “And ah-so-much-better than the supermarket ones” that I usually spend good money on! I sighed, a familiar mixture of exasperation and pride. His food choices have actually improved a lot lately.
Royal Warrant Holders Marquee
When the drizzle returned, we dodged into gazebos. One particular gem showcased a fascinating display of brushes, complete with a makeshift chandelier that was surprisingly artistic.
And of course, the Bendicks chocolate, spotted by the boys from a mile away, offered a welcome distraction.
Creative Inspiration
I hadn’t expected actual craft inspiration to strike my older son, but the 7k gigantic book at the bookbinding display clearly impressed him. He got to explore it while my husband and I desperately tried to keep our younger, radiator-destroying child away from its precious pages. When we got home, amazingly, my son actually began a bookbinding project with some truly impressive results.
A few other highlights from the day included the mosaic elephant, the size of a baby elephant, and the Commonwealth of Nations globe which Queen Elizabeth used to light the Principle Beacon, in turn illuminating lights across the UK and Commonwealth.
And then there was the Twinning ice tea, served by Stephen Twining himself. This, however, did not impress my younger menace, who, to my utter mortification, requested his favourite berry tea be swapped for peach. Peach! Something he wouldn’t normally touch. But hey, any chance to embarrass one’s mother needs to be taken, right?
Caley Brothers, Mushroom Growers
My best find of the entire show? The grow-your-own pink oyster mushroom kit.
I mean, what else? Why would I choose a flower when I can have a mushroom?!
