Weird and Wonderful

Down in Winchester to attend a South African Bulb Group lecture day where there was a small display of plants, some rare in cultivation.   They have great flower power, rather like a lot of the alpines that also capture my attention.  I've popped an extra pic in that gives a view of part of the show table.   The lectures were very interesting, both about UK gardens where a good number of South African plants are grown.   It was especially nice to have a mini blipmeet with Helen whom I have long followed here.  Turns out she lives just five minutes walk from the venue - an opportunity too good to miss!  

The main blip is Massonia mimetica.   Massonia is a genus of bulbous plants that have two prostrate leaves and a central boss of flowers with long stamens that 'froth' in the centre.  This plant is about 5 inches across.  A little gem.

Meg had to stay in the car but I found a shady spot to park and was able to pop back regularly and let her out.  With the event over at 230 we then had a walk at a local nature reserve on the outskirts of Winchester.  Neither the atmosphere nor the interest of yesterday's outing but it was a lovely walk in the afternoon sunshine.

I've now picked Jamie up from Newbury station, we will head back to Wales via Ruth's tomorrow.