I HAVE had a bit of an exciting adventure this week. Some time ago I received an invitation to attend the press preview at the Royal Horticultural Headquarters of some of the top garden designs for this year's Chelsea Flower Show.

My immediate reaction was 'ooh don't be silly, there's no way that I could go to something as big as that', and I put the letter in my overflowing 'pending' tray.

I kept on finding it as I went through the tray over the weeks, and gradually began turning over various possibilities in my mind.

For every flicker of excitement, though, I came up with an excuse as to why I couldn't go.

I couldn't take the time off work, I wouldn't be able to get a train ticket so late in the day, London is so enormous I wouldn't be able to find the place, and I wasn't worthy of being there.

The week transpired in such a way that I was almost fated to make the journey.

My colleague at Natures World was ill, which meant that I had to cover some of her hours and that earned me a bit of overtime, just enough to cover a day off work. So that was the time issue sorted.

Later in the week I had to make a quick dash into town to top up my mobile phone credit, and on my way I passed the independent travel agent.

On a whim I popped my head in and sheepishly inquired as to the availability and price of seats on trains down to London. I emerged with a very reasonably priced day return ticket. That was the travel arrangements sorted.

I had made a commitment and had to go now. I resolved the other issues in my head.

The easiest way of finding the RHS conference halls would be to simply jump in a taxi from the station. Lastly, if they hadn't deemed me worthy enough to attend such a prestigious event, I would never have been invited in the first place. I was in for an adventure.

I went down on Wednesday. I caught the 7.30 train from Darlington straight down to London Kings Cross. It was a lovely relaxing journey, not too crowded with only one stop in York. I did as I planned and caught a cab from the station, which took me quickly and directly to the RHS building.

The driver informed me that all the cabbies love the Chelsea Flower Show. I asked in a delighted tone if there was a big interest in gardening amongst taxi drivers (thinking that it might help them wind down and relax after work).

He said not in gardening itself, but in ferrying the large numbers of garden enthusiasts around the city during the show.

The conference halls were upstairs in the RHS buildings.

There was a winter show going on downstairs, for which there was an entrance fee, but I flashed my invitation and was waved straight through. I made my way up the marble stairway and was greeted at the entrance of the lecture hall. I was handed my identity badge (Brigid Press, The Northern Echo) and a much-needed cup of coffee. I found a quiet corner of the room to gather my thoughts and get my bearings.

I started reading the name badges around me.

Most were editors for well known magazines such as Gardeners World, Gardens Illustrated, Garden Answers, or columnists for the large newspapers like the Times, The Telegraph and the Guardian.

Then there were faces that I knew from television.

I was about to enter the 'awe-struck zone' again when a friendly faced, grey haired gentleman approached me (it turned out to be Julian Dowle, the designer behind last year's Yorkshire Garden) and shook my hand.

He engaged me in conversation and we chatted for a good while, until it was time to go into the main hall for the presentations.

The next few hours were filled with talks and slides from the sponsors and designers of some of the designs for this year's Chelsea Flower Show.

It was fascinating hearing how and why some of our most famous designers came up with their gardens, and even more interesting going through the process of implementation.

The talks were followed by a light finger buffet and free wine (supplied by Bonterra, who entered an organic vineyard garden at last year's show). It was a time for mingling and swapping and gathering information (networking!).

I had enough time after it was all over to visit the winter display downstairs and wander leisurely back through London to the train station. Safely seated on my carriage back home, I reflected on what a marvellous day it had been. The journey was easy, not expensive and enjoyable. I would definitely be back down in May for the Chelsea Flower Show itself.

NEXT WEEK

I will exclusively share with you some of the plans and designs for the 2004 Chelsea Flower Show, as described by the top designers of the moment.

JOBS THIS WEEK

* Check ties

Go round the garden and test the ties on trees and climbers. Tighten any loose ones and slacken anything too tight. Those on established trees can be removed before they choke them.

* Watch for snow damage

Immediately after heavy snow, brush any accumulations off branches and shrubs to make sure the extra weight doesn't break them.

* Plant shallots

Start shallots off in the greenhouse, one to each small pot filled with multi-purpose compost. As the leaves reach 2-3 inches they can be transferred to the greenhouse.

POSTSCRIPT

Brigid presents 'Ask about Gardening' every Sunday on BBC Radio Cleveland 95FM, from 12-2pm

Published: 31/01/2004