The 2014 Elderflower Fields Festival

A couple of weekends ago we decamped to Pippingford Park, near Nutley in East Sussex.

It was the much awaited Elderflower Fields Festival, one of the best family festivals around. Here are a few photos to get the feel...

The festival was set in a beautiful location:

A varied selection of bands played over the three days

All sorts of elderflower cocktails were served at the Drunken Botanist

There was an area of the park dedicated to all sorts of spa treatments.

And a woodland stage for story telling and bands

And Sam loved the music and Gaby's company..

Back at the tent breakfast and lunch were had under an awning; it was a little chilly, and had been raining quite hard during the night, but the sun came out and the mood lifted.

BB looking cool in his festival hat and glasses

One of BB's friends came along to have fun for a day

There were plenty of children's workshops and craft sessions going on throughout the 3 days

Lots of food stalls and curly chips!

There was a lovely atmosphere and a sunny Sunday almost ended up with a sunburn!

Camping with a broken shoulder was really not ideal, and we didn't stay the final night. It was a good festival with some fun music, plenty to do for younger children and a really relaxed atmosphere.

I came across this video on You Tube, it's from a previous year, but you can really get the feel...

Gab is Fab!

So today was my lovely friend, Gaby's birthday. A group of friends headed off this morning for a little brunch in Hove. After the usual frantic phone calls and 'what's happening, Gabs?' we set off in Lisa's mega-car towards Hove and a small but yummy cafe called Treacle and Co. Both the food and the company were good. Gaby had great fun opening her presents too!

 A very nice take-home idea, a perfectly peachy way to hang one's utensils...

After the savory, a huge quantity of rather lovely cakes landed on our plates...but perhaps a little too huge!

After filling both our tummies and the rest of our bodies with teas, coffees, cakes etc we headed off home with a quick stop at a VERY nice shop by the name of i gigi. Oh, my word what a fabulous home store. I have rarely been in such a tactile shop...

The 6 of us got back home with plenty of time to play with families and pets. I headed out with boys and dog for a little fresh air and to walk off a few calories, and then created a lovely piece of artwork with my youngest  (Blog to follow!)

Much love and birthday wishes to my very fab friend, Gaby, and to my other party friends for a lovely brunch date, and thanks especially to Lisa for driving us chatty cherubs to Hove. xxx

<<Have a good week all>>

FlowerScapes at the Floral Fringe Fair

Last weekend saw the Floral Fringe Fair at Knepp Castle. Our company FlowerScapes advised event-goers how to plant nectar and pollen rich flowers to help our declining insects. The fair was a great success and had a lovely mix of wildlife, vintage, yummy food, plant and craft stalls. Knepp Castle is privately owned by Sir Charles Burrell, and has been in his family for 220 years. Until recently most of the land on the Estate was devoted to traditional arable and dairy farming, but in 2001 they shifted their focus entirely, and embarked on a series of regeneration and restoration projects aimed primarily at nature conservation and a less intensive way of meat production. This method of re-wilding has been successfully introduced in Holland.

Strange and unusual plants being sold

Knepp Castle

Our FlowerScapes stall, before being prettied up with flowers

Not just vintage cars but people too.

Vintage bus

View of the castle and fair

Willow weaving

Lots of plant stalls

Vintage brocante

Steve in action at the FlowerScapes stall

Although there was a constant stream of people, because the stalls were spread out, the atmosphere felt relaxed

I want one!

Wood and willow weaving stall

Restored camper van, yep, want one of these too!

A nice event and the event goers really nice too, all very interested in creating more insect-friendly planting.