BBC Good Food Show & BBC Gardeners' World Live

What a day, I am worn out! I went over to the BBC Good Food Show & BBC Gardeners' World Live, at the NEC in Birmingham, with my husband, David, as we had exchanged some of our Tesco Clubcard vouchers for the tickets online.

Me in the RHS marquee

I had a really enjoyable day today, and I came home with lots of new ideas, and lots of new plants (and a few goody bags). I really want to go back on Sunday as I didn't see all of the exhibits, especially in the garden bit, and I think I could quite easily buy some more beautiful plants!

The plan was to do the garden show first, then the food show, however, we decided to go for a breakfast at Alfonso's in Leamington Spa (which is the best full English in Warwickshire), so we caught a later train and didn't arrive until just before lunchtime. We hit the RHS marquee first which was absolutely chock full of beautiful flowers and plants, I could have bought enough to fill a mini bus!

At 12:30 we made our way to the Sainsbury's Summer Kitchen as we had tickets to see Simon Rimmer do a live demonstration at 1pm. Well, it was well worth the money as he was fantastic, and really funny! He cooked 3 dishes, 2 fish (sea bass & salmon), and 1 lamb, and you can find the 2 of these recipes in the "my favourite recipes" section, below my blogs.

Simon was on for 40 minutes, and when he finished he received a rousing ovation from the audience in the theatre, and from the people in the cheap seats who couldn't afford a ticket! He then went off to sign some books, and we went for a wander around the food hall, trying lots of samples in the process (David was also on a mission to try every drink going, and just about achieved it). I so very nearly tried an oyster for the first time ever, however, I chickened out at the last minute and decided to have some Carte D'Or ice cream instead.

Simon Rimmer

We then headed back to the marquee, where I was able to pick up some very good tips, and also some more plants. We only left when we couldn't carry anything else, although our first attempt at leaving was aborted at the exit, and we turned back as David was convinced that I really didn't want to leave! We eventually left at around 5pm, and caught a very busy train back to Leamington Spa, and I was back in the house with a cup of tea in my hand by 6pm!

I'll be back on the allotment tomorrow, unless of course David has won the EuroMillions lottery, and if he has my next update will be written from a very white Caribbean beach ... you never know!

Cindy xx