They're Back!...

...no not the spooky things in the TV (can't remember what film that's from) but strange things containing flowers.

When I visited Southend-on-Sea last week the men were installing this...

 ...a rather large wicker teacup containing pansies and a variety of different types of daisies. To be honest, it is rather strangely placed - it is not in the centre of the paved square and although quite big, it still manages to look lost.
Then on Friday back in Stratford, these appeared...

...yep, the flower trees are back.
Last year as part of the Olympic preparation a circle of these 'flower trees' appeared on the traffic island just outside our office. These are very pretty...

 ...but still in the early stages of growth. They are certainly not as lavish as the ones we had last year but then we aren't expecting the world to descend on Stratford this year; are we!
It is much nicer looking out of the office and seeing these instead of a vast expanse of grey cobbles...

...and with luck (and a bit of sunshine) they should bulk up beautifully.

Let's hope they plant up the round flower beds that are under the trees further to the left of the 'island'. At the moment they are bare apart from the weeds - and perhaps we might get a few hanging baskets dotted about the place. After all, it is only about a month before the first part of the "Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park" re-opens to the public.

We'll certainly be waiting to see what events they have lined up for the area to celebrate the anniversary of the Olympic opening ceremony. Watch this space.........................................