On a very hot evening, 16 Polyramblers met outside Sloane Square tube station for an evening walk. It was very crowded – more than in previous years. ‘Chelsea in Bloom’ is the world class alternative floral art show which transforms the streets of Chelsea during the annual Chelsea Flower Show. Shops, restaurants and hotels are adorned with creative designs made of fresh flowers (but we saw some plastic ones too). The theme this year was ‘Out of this World’ with some flower displays inspired by space travel and astrology and others not related to the theme. Dominique.

As I was worried about losing people in the crowds, Joyana kindly lent me her brolly that I held up during the whole walk, therefore strengthening my arms. In addition to all the shop floral displays, there are six spectacular large-scale floral art installations – including a Zodiac-inspired constellation at Sloane Square; a UFO hovering over Pavilion Road; lunar-landscape at Duke of York Square and mythical 4m dragon on Sloane Street. On the King’s Road, an enormous floral globe honours David Attenborough’s 100th birthday. We missed out Pegasus as it was too far up Sloane Street.

We walked very slowly to admire the displays, take photos and because it was so crowded. By the end of the walk, the crowds were thinner. I was glad when we reached Sloane Square tube station without having lost anybody. Hat off to Jackie C who landed from Menorca in the morning and came on the evening walk.

PS: Chelsea in Bloom is also a competition and the People’s Champion this year is the shop Trinny London.