It Was Diana's Day Off,

so I am only making one post today for two reasons, 

firstly as usual I took way to many photographs, and secondly as soon as I post it I will be out to visit Duncan as it is Wednesday, back to Tuesday, and straight to the car wash, the car was covered in dust and fallen leaves, £20.00 later and we were on our way, 

past the giant Christmas tree on one of the roundabouts, 

and driving towards Polhill Garden Centre, 

a quick selfie, 

and we were here, I should say the place was packed with Christmas shoppers, 

well I just had too!

the agony of choice,

decision made, 

whelks for breakfast it was, Diana went with crayfish tails,

it does not look like it, but they were delicious, 

into the nursery, 

where we were greeted with fresh fruit,

both local produce, 

and fruit from the tropics, as it happens Diana bought some chestnuts, 

whilst I looked for these, 

macaroon biscuits, they are just so nice and with only 5 packs left they had nearly sold out, 

Diana was tempted with all manner of cakes, 

we decided to buy these as a after dinner treat for Christmas day, 

if jams, 

and preserves are to your liking, this is the place for you!

into the plant section, a few orchids on display, 

the Poinsettias nearly sold out,

not so the tropical plants,

or cactuses, 

there were lots here,

as well as insectivorous plants, 

succulents, 

and air plants all looking for new homes for Christmas, 

a gorilla anyone? he reminded me of Guy, 

into the outdoor plant section, cyclamen,

primroses, 

pansies, 

and miniature daffodils, 

and they were small!

pots of crocus, all growing well, in another few months they will be making a show where we live in the park,

and of course lots of Christmas trees, 

into the lighted tunnel with ever changing coloured lights,

did I mention Christmas trees?

it was like a forest here, 

back inside, 

Christmas crackers bought, 

we then started looking at Christmas decorations,

lots of soldiers, 

and lighted displays, unfortunately this looks so much better there, Santa did not photograph well,

we have seen many tin plate ornaments for the garden before,

 

but these all Christmas themed, 

I think these ones have been a bit to near the beer and sausage tent!

there were lots of them here,

we then made a short video of the miniature Christmas village, unfortunaly it was not lit, in fact it had a cover over it, so the video is a tad dark,

a look at the artificial trees,

some with snow, 

a last look at the plants on offer, 

and we were off to Coolings Garden Centre for a bite to eat, 

in the car park a Morgan, 

inside we went, 

and were greeted with trays of poinsettia,

lots of them, 

in a number of colours, 

as well as the usual red ones,

a fluffy toy?

or not?

as at the other garden centre, 

Christmas was here, 

we made our way outside, 

in this display,

a blue Christmas tree, 

a quick look at some citrus fruit trees, 

and more miniature daffodils, 

we made our way to the restaurant, 

a marshmallow coffee for Diana, 

a latté for myself, with a Cumberland sausage sandwich, 'Cheers!',

a panini for Diana, the bill came to £26.00, 

another look at the citrus trees, this one £109.00, 

lots of cyclamen here, 

I was intrigued by these, 

as I could hear the buzzing of a bee, and there he was a bumble bee, 

I made a close up of him, it had been so cold lately I thought they had all hibernated, 

trays and trays of cyclamen, 

back outside and a quick look at some more Christmas garden ornaments, 

as we made our way back inside, 

these orchids looking nice, 

like this one, 

and roses, 

at this time of the year, well they artificial!

back into the car, 

and we were soon driving down Rushmore Hill and home, 

where I spent the rest of the afternoon putting the garlands and lights around our front door whilst Diana busied herself inside, job done and time for our evening meal, followed by a Midsomer Murder, after which Diana was of to bed, for myself one from Have I Got More News For You, before I too was off to bed.