Greetings from Germany

Dear L & O members and flower friends,

It has already been two weeks since I returned from a short and busy time in London and Glasgow.  My visit to London happily fell into the week of the 'in person' committee meeting of the L & O Committee, so for once I managed to attend in person. 

One of the main points that came out of the discussions  was an extra plea to subscribe to our excellent Flower Arranging Magazine.  With so many clubs having closed, subscription to the Flower Arranger is also down to dangerous levels.  In my view, it is the best floral magazine available and it would be such a pity if it faltered.  Those of you who are members of a Flower Club, you can subscribe through your club.  For Overseas members it would be easier to subscribe straight from Warners.  The information is below.  If you are not a subscriber already, why not treat yourself.  It would also make an excellent Christmas present for anybody who loves flowers.

While I was in the UK, I also was fortunate to attend the Highland Fling in Glasgow organised by the President of NAFAS and her team.  And a fling it was.  Not having attended before, I was not sure what to expect.  I can only say I am glad I managed to go.  Apart from finding many floral friends made over the years, I also connected with friends of friends.  The programme was very varied and most enjoyable.   Much work had obviously gone into organizing the event.  I just wish I had taken more time to stay and enjoy the Scottish countryside.   

Many of us will have been glued to the TV watching the Olympics.  I was also glued to my phone receiving photos from the Singapore Garden Festival.  For years I have tried to get a place for participation by members of the Singapore Flower Club (SFC).  This year it happened - and I could not be there. The SFC got three spots to do a demonstration.  For all of the SFC demonstrators  it was the first time in front of a large audience and from all the photos and video snips I received, they did very well.  How I wish I could have been there to see it in person.  It was also great that 2 members of the Flower Club participated in the FDSS Cup (Floral Designers Society Singapore).  I hope you can access the Flickr album below and enjoy the photos of the SGF taken by my Singapore friends.  Many more can be seen on Facebook  (and Instagram) under Singapore Flower Club,  Floral Designers Society (Singapore) and Singapore Garden Festival.

Sadly there are no flower clubs in Germany.  Flowers do play a large part in German life though, and ready made hand tied bouquets or floral presents are readily available in florist shops.  I am also happy to enjoy the seasonal flowers in the front gardens as I walk into town.  Just two roads up the hill from my apartment, there is a belt of gardens and of vineyards and along the way there are many wild flowers and flowers which spilled over from the gardens.  And some of them can be picked!  So there are compensations.

The weather has been much better than I could have expected.  Apart from a short late cold spell in April, it has been mainly warm/hot and sunny.  For the past two weeks temperatures were 30 +, and very little rain in the Stuttgart area, while other areas had flooding and yesterday even hailstones as big as golf balls.  My apartment being a roof maisonette, I have to keep the blinds down in order for it not to overheat as there is no aircon.  I am probably the only person around here who is happy with the heat!  I am relatively comfortable in the place I bought for investment but still waiting for a place in the senior residence Augustinum.  Until I am there I cannot really settle properly.  So here I am hoping a place becomes available soon, though you can imagine I am not looking forward to yet another move.  In the meantime, my youngest sister who lives 5 mins. drive away, is doing everything to make me re-acquainted with life in Germany - where i last lived in 1967 - and all it has to offer.  Especially enjoyable are the wine tastings in this area in the actual vineyards!  I really could not have done the transition without her help.  It has also been good to see more of my family and help my two brothers celebrate their 90th and 85th birthdays.  Although I miss the life I had in Singapore and my friends there very much and of course also Philip, whose 80th birthday we should have been able to celebrate yesterday, I am slowly getting adjusted to being here.

I hope this finds you well.

Sending you all best wishes for a happy Summer (or winter for you downunder)

flowery greetings

Christiane

L & O Overseas Ambassador