Garden Bloggers Fling - Day 1 (Evening)
I had been planning to include our last destination in my Toronto Island post, but felt that it was long enough already, so I decided to do a separate post for the final event of the day - the Buzztini.
Destination #5 – Buzztini at the Fairmont Royal York
Bloggers were on their own for dinner that first day and then met back up at the Royal York for an après-dinner event, a Buzztini, which featured honey infused concoctions. Unfortunately, I missed the presentation part of the evening – another blogger and I went for dinner at a local restaurant and there was an excessively long wait for our food. How long is excessive? We didn’t keep track of the time but it was well over an hour. Even though we didn't complain (other than asking when our meal would be arriving a few times), the server must have also thought it was a bit much as she cut our bill in half with no prompting from us. Very nice of them, but I was still very disappointed that we ended up missing out on the "bee talk".
The Royal York set up a honeybee aviary on its rooftop seven years ago, consisting of 6 hives. Last year, a “bee hotel” was added in an effort to attract and provide a resting spot for wild bees, essential pollinators that have suffered a rapid decline in recent years. We had a wonderful, albeit distant, view of the hives from the windows of the banquet room we were in:
 |
| Rooftop Bee Hotels |
 |
| Rooftop Raised Beds |
 |
| Mingling over honey infused drinks & nibbles |
So that brings us to the end of Day One. Helen Battersby, our wonderful coordinator, had already warned us that this had been the “slow day” of the fling. As I plopping down in a seat on the GO train home, I was both exhausted and excited about what I would see in the days to come.
Till next time…
This is a nice way to go, chronological, not too much at once, and given in a time when nothing much is happening outside. and new plans are being made inside. Are you in the last picture?
ReplyDeleteThanks Jane - The Fling was overwhelming (in a good way) and when it came to writing about it, I decided that I wanted to give those that were not able to attend the same experience that I had...or as close to it as I could via a post. I'm not a landscaper or designer or even that proficient when it comes to ornamentals, but what I can do is share my experience with others. If I'm lucky, I may even entice one or two bloggers to go to the next one! Oh, and I'm behind the camera in the last photo, which I usually prefer to being in front of it :)
DeleteYes, unfortunately, we couldn't visit the rooftop garden with the Flingers because it was an important time for the bees to be left undisturbed. I think we missed our window by a week, sad to say. But it was great to be fêted by the Fairmont Royal York. Those Buzztinis were very (what our Gran would have called) more-ish. You have one; you want more. I certainly did. Did you notice that the bee hotel on the rooftop is shaped roughly like the Toronto skyline?
ReplyDeleteNo I hadn't noticed that, but I can see it now with the CN tower smack in the middle - how wonderful! I have a feeling mine will be much more "rustic" :)
DeleteUgh, one week off on touring the rooftop...but when it comes to garden related tours, it's totally understandable. You can't have it all and the timing for the other gardens we went to was spot on.
I love those rooftop bee hives! And such a great idea to provide a home for the pollinator bees too. But now you have me wondering what they might have served as "pollinator inspired hors d’oeuvres." I am thinking, and drawing a blank (not unusual for me).
ReplyDeleteWe missed the apps, as they came out early, long before we arrived. I'm thinking anything with honey, such as crostini with soft cheese, drizzled with honey perhaps? In the "buzz" of the honey infused cocktails, I guess I forgot to ask :)
DeleteOh yes, that was a fun day. The appetizers and buzztinis were delish and the company was delightful. Good thing we didn't have to drive anywhere afterward. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt was planned perfectly, wasn't it? It's such fun going back and looking at everything we did as I'm writing these posts - makes me look forward to next year all the more!
DeleteWhat a great idea setting up those hives on the roof. It's a shame you couldn't get closer to see everything up close but you had a birds eye, or should I say bees eye, view.
ReplyDeleteLOL - they couldn't have picked a better room to hold the festivities in, that's for sure! It would have been very interesting to get close up but that's the thing with garden tours - when the timing is great for one thing, it's not for another.
DeleteSounds like you had a wonderful, inspiring time! I would have loved to have seen those garden beds too! Thanks for sharing. Was this held in Toronto? We have been there as use to live across the border from Sarnia in Pt. Huron, MI. Nancy
ReplyDeleteYes, it was in Toronto - I have a feeling you are enjoying the weather in Indiana better than when you lived in Pt. Huron, especially in the winter!
Delete