The Ideal Home Show

I seem to have been hibernating rather, but the clocks have gone forward and Spring is just about here, so it's time to be up and about again.  And today I decided to take myself to the Ideal Home Show, one of my favourite events in the calendar.  I don't go every year these days - can't afford to - but I do love going when I can.

Because of the demise of Earl's Court, it's at Olympia this year; just one stop further on the Overground.  I think it's actually nearer public transport than Earl's Court was - it always felt like miles and miles from West Brompton into any of the shows there, whereas this was only a couple of steps.  I still am not used to asking for a concessionary ticket, but remembered to do so, and saved £5 on the normal entry.  I could - perhaps should - have booked my ticket on-line but there is a booking fee, and by the time you've paid that, you might as well pay on the door.  No queue, at 3:00 on a Monday afternoon, and security was minimal - they just glanced into my handbag.

I am not particularly bothered by the show homes or gardens, or by the swathes of furniture and home improvements (although I did go and look at the Insinkerator taps we've ordered for our new kitchen so we won't need a kettle).  I do, however, love the general shopping, fashion and beauty and homewares section, and the food section a bit less, but also a must-visit.  This year was all about bamboo pillows, at least two different brands.  I don't know what is so special about them - I felt one, and it just felt like an ordinary memory foam pillow to me.  My present pillow will soon need replacing, maybe next year I might buy one.  I did succumb to one or two bits and pieces, including some of my favourite-ever bronzer, and favourite-ever moisturiser, and I also bought a carpet (and other surface) cleaner as our bathroom carpet is Not What It Was.  But mostly I wandered around, enjoying the various demonstrations and slightly wishing we already had our new kitchen so I could legitimately indulge in new knives/saucepans/frying pans/a soup maker/other gadgets I don't need.... and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I should have liked a cup of tea, but the café concessions dotted about the place were very expensive, and only used polystyrene cups, which I hate tea out of, so I didn't buy one. And came away, very tired but having had a lovely afternoon!