Over the last few weeks on this blog, we've spied in on all the hard work the staff and volunteers have been putting in behind the scenes to prepare for the RSPB's 'feature stand' at Gardeners World Live.
And last week was the show itself. Did you go? I visited on the Thursday and it was heaving with visitors as usual, rubbing shoulders with the likes of the wonderful Carol Klein.
And hopefully many visitors enjoyed the fruit of the RSPB team's efforts, because they really pulled out the stops to fill a 27metre long stand with the story of the migration of our Swallows, from South Africa, via Morocco and Spain, and into the British countryside and gardens.
Remember this is done on a shoestring budget - we don't spend our members' money willy-nilly. So be amazed at everything, from the South African garden with Proteas...
...to the African plains
on through Bedouin tents...
...and past Mediterranean courtyards with bougainvillea...
...to verdant Britain, and a bit of a helping hand with some mud for their nests.
Great messages; great stage sets and Swallow models; and lovely planting.
So I'm delighted to reveal that the team won Best Feature in Show. They deserve it.
(Oh, and I've been asked to design next year's - boy, I've got something to live up to!)
It was a fabulous stand. Discussion with one of your guys was very useful, i joined the RSPB at the show