We just got back home from attending the Garden Blogger's Fling last weekend in Portland, Oregon and we had such a great time! It was a truly wonderful and unforgettable experience for the both of us and we give out our huge thanks to the organisers of this year's fling: Heather, Jane, Loree, and Scott who pulled out all the stops to come up with such a well organised, fun fling.
And we give out a huge hello too to all the wonderful people we have met and spent time with during the event! Garden bloggers are such a fabulous lot!
Loree posing for the paparazzi
Pug love with Heather
Cat love with the Rhone Street Gardeners
Now that we're back home life is starting to return back to normal, although the journey to a full return to our routines will be full of things to do, like holiday washing and ironing for a start (boring I know but hey, they have to be done!). Not to mention jet lag. But we had such an amazing time and we're so buzzing with the experience that we're doing everything with a zing.
Plant shopping at Cistus
Alan is neither working nor gardening but picture taking...
Victoria wearing the official fling uniform on Saturday
Loree, Gaz, and Gerhard
As you can imagine we took thousands of photos over the course of our stay in Portland, almost four thousand images between the two of us. So it will take some time to sort them all out and our posts about the fling will trickle through our blog over the course of the year. We'll also start being able to resume reading and replying to the blogs that we follow too over the next couple of days.
Sean and Lisa
So many beautiful gardens were seen during the fling, all inspiring and all showing the love, passion, and creativity of the gardener developing the space. Each one of them are special and we are so lucky to have visited them, and in great company too!
Loree, Gerhard, and yours truly!
And the city of Portland, we love it!! Much love from us to this hip city with fabulous residents! We'll definitely be back...
Hell yeah we'll be back!!
There's so much more to say about our stay in Portland, the company we had, the gardens, and new people we have met. All wonderful but they will be spaced out as we post about the fling during the coming months. For now we leave you with Pink Martini
I'm glad you 2 had a fun and trouble-free trip. Re-entry into everyday life is always difficult after a whirlwind vacation but more so, I think, when you add significant jet lag. Best wishes for a smooth go of it. I look forward to reading your future Fling posts and, who knows, maybe I'll get to meet you in person in Toronto next year.
Hard to believe that a week ago we were in the midst of things. I wish we could have a do-over! So many beautiful places to see and so many wonderful people to hang out with.
Lovely photos. As usual, I forgot to take people pictures so I'm happy that you and others did. Can I borrow that photo of Mark, Loree and me for my blog?
Amazing how time flies Gerhard, and yes a bit strange to think that only a week ago were in the midst of a whirlwind of activities. Really enjoyed hanging out with you all!
So glad you had such a good time. Portland is somewhere I'd like to visit and I'm looking forward to hearing all about your trip in ensuing posts. You didn't actually manage plant shopping, did you? Are you allowed to bring stuff back?
We had a fantastic time Helen, and what made it extra special was we were shown around a bit by locals :) Plant shopping was to select plants to be sent here later, subject to phyto certificate, clearance, etc. They won't be sent till autumn though when the plants are no longer in active growth.
Oh you guys, I miss you! I am so glad you were here and got to experience a "Fling" as well as to come a little early and stay a little late (especially the late part). I look forward to seeing what you saw in all those gardens (4,000 pictures!?)...
We had a blast Loree, and so many fond memories that's for sure. Wish we were able to stay longer but that was down to us not planning properly (and work). Can't wait to go back there! Missing you all there already!!
Sounds like a real blast, and nice to see photos of some of the people. Looking forward to seeing some of those photos in due course. Good luck beating the jetlag!
What a fabulous experience guys! Must admit to feeling a tad green with envy. Looking forward to hearing more and seeing more on the subject of your trip.
The fling was incredible! so many nice people!! everybody knows so much about plants!!! It was so nice meeting you! I´m in one of the pictures! haha. I wonder why Sean was thinking so much...I don´t remember what I asked him :). I already miss the fling and all the people and gardens. This post is so pretty. By the way, this pictures of the people are great.
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This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends. See also our full about page
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
I'm glad you 2 had a fun and trouble-free trip. Re-entry into everyday life is always difficult after a whirlwind vacation but more so, I think, when you add significant jet lag. Best wishes for a smooth go of it. I look forward to reading your future Fling posts and, who knows, maybe I'll get to meet you in person in Toronto next year.
ReplyDeleteSlowly but surely jet lag is easing off Kris, and we're hoping to make it to Toronto next year.
DeleteI'm glad to have met you both and hope to see you at future Flings!
ReplyDeleteSame here Pam , was great to meet you!
DeleteI'm so glad to hear that you had a great time at the Fling, because it means maybe you'll come to another, and I'll finally get to meet you!
ReplyDeleteWe're hoping so Alison :)
DeleteHard to believe that a week ago we were in the midst of things. I wish we could have a do-over! So many beautiful places to see and so many wonderful people to hang out with.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. As usual, I forgot to take people pictures so I'm happy that you and others did. Can I borrow that photo of Mark, Loree and me for my blog?
Amazing how time flies Gerhard, and yes a bit strange to think that only a week ago were in the midst of a whirlwind of activities. Really enjoyed hanging out with you all!
DeleteFeel free to use the pic :)
Quite a trip boys. I've turned a worrying shade of green. Dave
ReplyDeletePerhaps you'll be able to make it to the next one David? Also there's a talk of a fling being hosted here in the future...
DeleteThat sounds such fun!
ReplyDeleteIt was Jessica :)
DeleteSo glad you had such a good time. Portland is somewhere I'd like to visit and I'm looking forward to hearing all about your trip in ensuing posts. You didn't actually manage plant shopping, did you? Are you allowed to bring stuff back?
ReplyDeleteWe had a fantastic time Helen, and what made it extra special was we were shown around a bit by locals :) Plant shopping was to select plants to be sent here later, subject to phyto certificate, clearance, etc. They won't be sent till autumn though when the plants are no longer in active growth.
DeleteYou luck chaps! Portland is such a great place, bet those gardens were gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAnd a nice ginger garden assistant I spotted there :-)
C
x
I saw that you've just been to the US too Celia, your trip must have been fab! The ginger assistant was adorable :)
DeleteI'm glad I don't have 4000 photos to sort through!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I'd rather have that than the holiday washing and jet lag I think... :)
Slowly getting through the washing, jet lag, and photos Alan :)
DeleteIt was so much fun seeing the faces behind the blogs. Glad you're both home safe.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to meet you Denise :)
DeleteSounds like you had a fantastic time - looking forward to hearing more about it !
ReplyDeleteIt was a blast Jane :)
DeletePortland loves you...come back soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ricki, we're hoping to!
DeleteOh you guys, I miss you! I am so glad you were here and got to experience a "Fling" as well as to come a little early and stay a little late (especially the late part). I look forward to seeing what you saw in all those gardens (4,000 pictures!?)...
ReplyDeleteWe had a blast Loree, and so many fond memories that's for sure. Wish we were able to stay longer but that was down to us not planning properly (and work). Can't wait to go back there! Missing you all there already!!
DeleteIt was a delight to finally meet the dynamos behind Alternative Eden! Glad that you had a good time and hope you'll visit again!
ReplyDeleteAnd it was great to finally meet the delightful Outlaw Gardener!!
DeleteSounds like a real blast, and nice to see photos of some of the people. Looking forward to seeing some of those photos in due course. Good luck beating the jetlag!
ReplyDeleteIt was Janet, one of our best holidays so far :)
DeleteLooks like you two had a great time. How nice that a get together brought you all together for your visit to the US.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
We had a fabulous time Cher, and a bloggers fling is such a great idea!
DeleteWhat a fabulous experience guys! Must admit to feeling a tad green with envy. Looking forward to hearing more and seeing more on the subject of your trip.
ReplyDeleteIt was Anna :) perhaps worth considering going to the next one?
DeletePS Four thousand photos! That will take some sorting :)
ReplyDeleteWe're slowly getting there :)
DeleteGreat post! so lovely to hear about your fling and see all those friendly faces. Wish I could have been there. Maybe next year.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fab bunch that was a delight to spend time with Deanne :)
DeleteThe fling was incredible! so many nice people!! everybody knows so much about plants!!! It was so nice meeting you!
ReplyDeleteI´m in one of the pictures! haha. I wonder why Sean was thinking so much...I don´t remember what I asked him :). I already miss the fling and all the people and gardens.
This post is so pretty.
By the way, this pictures of the people are great.
It was great to meet you Lisa and the fling was an amazing experience!
DeleteThat is the cutest picture of Loree. And Caper!
ReplyDelete