Garry: My day with Kim

The whole event started with an overnight stay at a nice hotel on Buckingham Palace Road... Very nice! Our "blacked out" car came to pick us up at 6.30am (Zzzzzzzzz), ready for the VIP breakfast. The breakfast was good and so was the Buck's Fizz!!!

Had a chance to look aorund the gardens for a little while and whilst is was quiet. Went to see Kim's garden before breakfast (about 6.45am). It was so peaceful, as it has a wonderful woodland backdrop and you could hear the birds singing their morning chorus. It was a beautiful moment!

We got to meet Kim and Richard Lucas mid-morning. Kim was in a really good mood. "Hello there Garry" she said as she kissed me on the cheek... I gave her a card congratulating her on her win and also congratulated Richard for his share in the achievement. We chatted for a little while before we went into the garden itself. At the same time people from the public were asking for her autograph and sometimes they would ask for mine. I think they thought I was Richard. One guy even asked if I would mind having my photo taken with Kim. I said "I don't mind but I don't think you really want it"

We then had our tour of the garden and sat in the seat. Kim was beaming in her Mickey Mouse Tshirt, a long flowing skirt, fab shoes and of course... that hat!! The hat looks a lot better in real life and it is necessary, as the garden is a positive sun trap!!

There was a lot of talk about gardening and very little talk about music... Time just went so fast and somehow it didn't feel right to hassle her about it. At the end of the morning, Kim presented me with a unique gift relating to the design of the garden. It was great to be at Chelsea and great to meet both Kim (again) and Richard.

We then went on for our meal in Covent Garden, having had a throughly enjoyable day.