Bumping into Alice in the Chelsea Wonderland

I wasn't quite expecting to discover a Mad Hatter's tea party in the Grand Pavilion of the Chelsea Flower Show, but that's exactly what happened. I knew when I saw the White Rabbit that something was up, and even though it may have been curiouser and curiouser out came my camera for a few snaps.

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This corner of the pavilion was a floral tribute to Alice in Wonderland which is celebrating 150 years this year.

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While I might have been tempted to try out a chair, I soon remembered that I didn't want to upset the Queen of Hearts - I'm not sure she's over the jam tart incident yet and no doubt would be once again screaming "Off with their heads!"

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So I wandered along and discovered a floral piano - just what every tea party needs if you ask me. It's much more elaborate than the one I shared a while back which is closer to home, outside the Conservatoire in Blackheath.

And without tea and cakes, it's not much of a tea party at all is it? These giant floral versions were part of the Interflora stand and looked great, and oh to have a cupcake that size! 

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Further along I discovered Tugley Wood, the Wonderland woodland place. It was hosting the RHS Young Florist of the Year competition and here's just some of the entries, the fantasy floral trees inspired by the weird and wonderful Wonderland woodland (try saying that after a glass or two!)

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And it was only after seeing this floral exhibition that the Down the Rabbit Hole floral tribute and the Pimms Mad Hatter's tea pot I'd spotted in the Duke of York Square start to make sense. I've more pictures from there and of the wonderful Chelsea in Bloom exhibits, which I'll share later in the week.

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Until then, happy 150th birthday Alice!