Tulips and Happy Memories

When we go out for the day or go away on holiday, I often like to pick up a plant or two to put in the garden as a lovely reminder. Something that will trigger a memory when it flowers again over the following years - perhaps a thought of a happy occasion or a special day out or special place. 

Just after Easter we returned from a break in the Lake District and after a lot of rainy days, the sun was out and the front garden had suddenly started to burst into flower, as we pulled up on the drive. Amongst the newly opened flowers were a stunning group of bright pink tulips. They made me smile as I thought back to when I bought the bulbs - yes a truly happy and memorable occasion. 

It was just a year after my heart and double transplant. My transplant team had given me the go ahead to fly for the first time in over five years. I chose Amsterdam as I wanted to go somewhere new that I'd never visited before. It was only an hours flight too, which helped to allay some of my fears. I'd felt anxious about being abroad for the first time after such major surgery and also vulnerable to infection being immunosuppressed. 

Amsterdam is a vibrant and beautiful city and I loved being there for so many different reasons. We walked past the floating flower market each day and I used to stop and browse the stalls of seeds, bulbs and plants. I chose some tulip bulbs - obviously - and when we returned home, planted them in the front garden. Last year they flowered and I was pleased they'd survived, but this year they've multiplied and are looking fabulous -  well formed, bright and fresh. 

So yes, they brought a big smile to my face - not only for the fact that they looked beautiful and the garden has started coming alive again, but because of the memory that came flooding back - a very happy and momentus one. 

Floating Flower Market Amsterdam

Tulips from Amsterdam!

When we visited Amsterdam last autumn, I couldn't resist buying some packs of bulbs to bring home and plant in the garden - well the song kept going round in my head, 'Tulips from Amsterdam'! I always like to buy a souvenir or two wherever we travel at home or abroad and couldn't resist the lovely and colourful packs of bulbs we came across at the floating flower market, so thought I'd treat myself to some. 

I've often picked up plants when we've visited gardens and places around the UK, but it isn't so easy to do when you are abroad, so we do have reminders of many places we've been to, but not from overseas. 

It was exciting to think that if I planted them when we got back home they would be bursting into flower by springtime and give us a constant reminder every year of a truly wonderful holiday. They didn't disappoint and I've been watching them in anticipation for a few months now, pushing through the soil, the leaves growing bigger and then the buds coming up. Now with all the spring sunshine they have opened up in full flower 

Tulips from Amsterdam - a lovely memory! Enjoy the pics! 

The Floating Flower Market Amsterdam

Autumn is a lovely time to take a stroll through the Bloemenmarkt in Amsterdam. It is a very colourful attraction and the only floating flower market in the world. It is supposed to be interesting during all seasons and in October when we visited there was an unbelievable selection of tulip bulbs on display.

There is a vast array of other bulbs too including narcissus, plus green and flowering plants, bouquets of colourful flowers and ... wait for it ...shush, quiet ... cannabis seeds and growing kits. It seems a bit surreal as cannabis is illegal here in the UK, but not in Amsterdam, the strong aromas of cannabis were everywhere! 

The flower stalls stand on floating barges on the Singel Canal, remnants from times past when the flowers and bulbs used to be brought from the surrounding countryside into Amsterdam each day by boat. The market was first held in 1862. 

It is rather a feast of bright colours, not only from the flower and plant stalls, but from all the endless displays of seed packets, bags of bulbs and souvenirs. The stalls are packed full of it all and lots of bric a brac and momentoes of Amsterdam. 

I rather liked the bouquets of brightly coloured wooden tulips and treated myself to some, I'm always enticed when it comes to a souvenir or two! I bought myself a colourful bag of tulip bulbs too. I thought they may be a beautiful reminder in spring of this special trip to Amsterdam when they flower, my first time on an aeroplane just one year post heart and lung transplant! 

Little narrow streets entice you to have a wander across from the market: they are full of cafes, coffee shops, cheese shops and yes there is even a Christmas shop! And yes I was tempted to buy a few Christmas decorations too! 

After a lovely browse, it was time to sit with a latte and just watch the world go by through the view of an orchid: happy days!