There has been an awful lot of playing out of late.
Meals with my besties, family and friends, along with Mother’s day celebrations, my thirtieth and daughter’s first.
Soho
A jolly was enjoyed in London, using the room we carried over from Christmas that was cancelled due to Sam’s surgery.
We ate at Mildred’s, a marvelous vegan and veggie restaurant. The food was delicious but certainly didn’t come cheap!
County Hall and the London eye.
I’ve been to London many times but have never taken a river cruise, so booked one this time around.
London Bridge
It was only a two hour cruise but it was wonderful. Beautiful music, canopies, wine and all the sights to enjoy.
I took this photograph from inside the cabin, I think it’s reflects the political situation in the UK, total Armageddon!
The Chard.
I’m not a fan of skyscrapers but I suppose The Chard is pretty.
A day was spent in Kew Gardens. Even early spring it’s heavenly. While wandering around one of the glasshouses I spotted a robin. It was warbling away so must be finding food in there. I also spotted a mouse scuttling through the undergrowth.
I just loved the sculptures, all made from natural materials.
What’s not to love about this sloth?
There’s always an interesting fact or two to pick up in Kew.
I did enjoy The Hive, which replicates bees in a hive. Little lights, constantly changing, demonstrate how bees communicate. The sound is pretty eerie too, you even get to hear a queen bee, which sounds similar to a woman screaming.
The tree walk is back in action, even this is too high for me, and it’s far too bouncy. I was far happier when back on solid ground.
How I wish I could train my holly trees to look like this!
Of course more seeds were bought! They will take two years to flower but when they do the wait will be worth it.
And Finally….
Daughter and Grandbaby of mine have braved the dogs, and visited a couple of times. Sam and Annie are fine, but my eyes are firmly fixed on Buddy. He’ll never get close until I’m sure he knows she’s human!!! We haven’t ventured indoors yet, but hey ho….it’s all about baby steps. Thank goodness I can just trot around the corner to see them. Littl’un is already six weeks old. Goodness.
And Finally, finally…..
I was in the rescue today and was asked if I’d take a blind chicken.
Where on earth would it live! I don’t have a hen-house! Apparently there is another broken one they’d like me to have too.
Hmmmmmmmm….
Mildred’s certainly did dish up tasty meals, mine was lovely, especially the vegan sausage, by far the best I’ve had. I’m not sure if The Hive is permanent, I hope it is, it’s fascinating. How wonderful it must be to be able to walk to Kew! I haven’t heard anything more re the blind chicken so I’m not going to push it! Thanks Anne.xxx
I’m sure I’d commented here, but apparently NOT! So nice you got to be out with friends enjoying a bit of life together 🙂 I took a peek at Mildred’s website and they do have some very inventive offerings. Bet everything was tasty.
I used to have some friends who lived near Kew. Can’t imagine being a walk’s away from those garden adventures. Sounds like you had fun discovering the various sculptures — were these permanent installations?
How’s the blind chicken doing? And you, with the blind chicken??
Fantastic photos of London at night. You are getting very skilled with the camera. I have never been to Kew, although it is on my list…
I love that photo of the little robin. And how time flies ! Your granddaughter is 6 weeks old already !
Yes Mildred’s is a good place for vegan food but being in London, price-wise, as you would expect, it is a place to go for a special occasion, rather than on a regular basis. I hope you are able to take on the blind hen or know someone who can. She deserves to have a safe, happy life dear thing.
And yes, I do have fond memories of BCUK. I was visiting Crickhowell in Wales yesterday and thought of Janet’s posts about the time she spent there.
Thanks Keggs, you would love Kew, visiting in the summer would be nice. I was amazed to see that little robin in the glasshouse, I do hope it’s OK. Time sure does fly by, spring already and grandbabe growing fast!BCUK sure was fun, such a shame it shut down.xxx
Oh, what a memory! Last December we missed the Kew Gardens… and the little robin, how cute he is! I realized that there are so many interesting places we didn’t visit, but sure worth our time. Mhhmm the hive has to be a unique experience, I always wondered how it is living inside such a place without getting out (queen)…
Pity that Buddy can’t properly behave, but I’m sure he wants to play and cannot distinguish what hasn’t to be done with a little baby. He will learn.
Hugs to all of you 🙂 claudine and family
What a shame you missed Kew, the weather wouldn’t have good for it then and nothing much would have been blooming…..we will have to try and get together in London some time in the future. Daughter and I are walking Buddy with Hallie so hopefully he’ll learn that she is human! Love and hugs to you all. xxx
A lovely post, I enjoyed seeing all of your photographs.
It’s quite some years ago now that I went to Kew Gardens, such a great place to visit. However, I’d have to give the tree walk a miss, as I don’t have a head for heights!
I can’t believe grand-daughter is six weeks old the weeks have simply flown by.
Happy April – enjoy the month.
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan, I love Kew but wouldn’t do the tree walk again as I don’t like heights either. Doesn’t time fly??? I can’t believe it’s April already.xxx
Even when I visited London, I never made it to Kew, but today? I’d head there in a minute. The hive seems absolutely fascinating. And what is that tree walk? I think it must just be a walkway at treetop level. If it were stable, I’d love it, but if it’s bouncy, I might pass. I still remember the “swinging bridge” at a childhood camp. It swung, all right, and the big kids loved nothing more than scaring us smaller ones by making it move.
A blind chicken. Well, we have a saying here that even a blind squirrel finds a nut from time to time. I wonder what a blind chicken could get up to? If it happens, there surely will be stories!
I do love the photo of your daughter and grandbaby. That’s more my speed — London would wear me out.
The tree walk is at treetop height and is stable but the mesh you walk on is bouncy, made even more so by fearless children running on it. I’m hoping someone adopts the blind chicken, if not no doubt pressure will be applied on me! London certainly is busy, there was a huge march re Brexit while we were there, the tube sure is scary with thousands of people crowded into small spaces. Thanks Linda.xxx
Kew, a grandbaby and another needy animal … what a full life you lead! xx
It has been a little hectic of late, in a good way! Thanks Gill.xxx
Glad you had such a great time in London. I would love to visit Kew again as it looks as if there’s so much more to see than when I was last there. Wishing you lots of success with the seeds. Good choice. You’ll enjoy the flowers when they get established. We’re coming your way soon. I thought we might be able to meet up, but I can’t find any way to contact you and I know that you’re busy right now. It’s lovely that you’re not far from your daughter and can see your granddaughter often.
Kew is marvelous for sure! Hope you get to visit soon. I do hope all those seeds grow. You can get in touch via the contact page, if any problems get back to me here and I’ll post my email address, it would be lovely to meet up. It is wonderful being so close to my girls.xxx
It looks as though you had a wonderful time in London, lucky you! It is years since I went to Kew and it made an impression then, but I don’t think you would have got me up on the tree walkway, I like my feet on firm ground!
How lovely that your grandaughter is just around the corner, that is what I missed with both my grandsons, they are quite a way from me, so I don’t see them as often as I would like, mind you they are now both over 6 ft tall !
I was pretty freaked out on the treetop walk, I really dislike any sort of heights unless natural ones like cliffs. It is lovely having the girls around the corner, I don’t miss any special moments. I have a feeling Hallie may be as tall as your grandkids which will be funny as daughter and I are so short.Thanks Pauline.xxx
An interesting perspective or three on your London Visit. I haven’t visited Kew for years, it is fascinating to see the developments and new installations since my last trot in there. When I was a teenager, we would walk through to Kew along the river bank from Richmond quite often. We did the walk the opposite way once, and found we got distracted and arrived in Kew just in time to get our train home.
Hope Buddy assesses the limits of his friendly inclinations soon.
I adore the picture of mother and babe enjoying special moments.
I bet you will find with the kindness of others you will magically own a hen house in almost a blink of an eye. What is the problem with the broken ‘one’? (I am not sure if it refers to another chicken or a hen house).
Oh, did you live in London? Your walks sound lovely! I’m sure Buddy will be fine, I want to make sure the squeaky baby sounds don’t confuse him. Daughter is such a natural mother, Hallie never takes her eyes off her. There is another broken chicken, I not too sure what the problem is, only that it needs hand feeding. Thanks Menhir.xxx
Your header picture of Amageddon is perfect – It would be a great jumping off image for a large oil painting. Can I poach it????
Next time you come to London let me know. I am close to Kew and of course China Town…in both cases easy to get to from where I am….
Also lovely to see your daughter with the little one….and yes the dogs will get used to the idea eventually. Sending lots of hummingbird hugs in your direction. Janet xxxx
Of course you can use the pic, you don’t have to ask! I liked it too, looked something like an alien invasion. Oh, I had no idea you lived close to Kew or I would have rung you! Sam and Annie will be fine with Hallie, it’s more about them jumping up, Annie only responds to Hallie when she cries, then she’s straight over demanding someone sort her! It’s Buddy we have to watch. I’m sure he’ll be fine too, I had three dogs when I had daughter and a shedload of other critters, so I know all will be well. Hugs to you too. xxxx
I simply love catching up with what’s going on in your life. I do so miss BCUK such lovely, lasting friendships made. Must try and get over to see you sometime. Hugs and kisses to you, daughter, and grandchild – hubby too if he can stand it! xxx
Thanks Marion, yes, we’ll have to catch up again one fine day. BCUK was fun wasn’t it, good so many of us are still in touch. Hubs would be honoured Mrs!xxx
Wow, what a time you’ve had! Although I suspect the best is sitting with your daughter and grandbaby.
It’s a long time since I’ve been on a Thames river cruise (nearly 30 years ago!) – we went from Pimlico, past the Tate and Houses of P right down to the Thames Barrier and back. The views will have changed now of course but still a lovely thing to do.
So glad you enjoyed Kew; I’m there twice every week as currently studying in the grounds (and take my own sandwiches, haha!) but haven’t had time to do the treetops walk. But I WILL go! Too bad you missed the Chihuly glass sculptures, they started to appear last week and are amazing!
PS. Looking forward to reading your decision re the chickens … sounds like they’ve had a hard life so far. xx
It’s always lovely hanging out with my girls. How quickly that child is growing, she smiling now which is just the sweetest thing. City views do change so quickly these days, there always seems something new being thrown up. How lucky you are to sit in Kew twice a week, such a wonderful place. I saw the glass sculptures being advertised, such a shame I missed them. Yes, those poor chickens haven’t had a good time by the sound of things. Thanks caro.xxx
What an interesting post….we have been on a day cruise along the Thames, but I had never thought to do one at night, it looks amazing! I would love to go to Kew Gardens, and the bee hive sounds fascinating, fancy the queen bee having a kind of scream!
Lovely to see you daughter with the wee Grandbaby, aren’t babies a full time job! But so gorgeous.
I’m not sure about a blind chicken just at this busy time in your life…I’ll look forward to an update..
Thanks Gerrie, I love evening cruises on boats, it’s so soothing. The queen bee sound really startled me, I never imagined she could sound like that. Goodness yes, babies are delightful but as you say hard work! You may be right about the chickens!xxx
Great images. interesting place, Kew Gardens.
Thanks Peter. Hope all is well in your corner of the world.xxx
What would we do without our besties? I’m so grateful for mine. You don’t need to send a note, you are always there when I need you most, so glad for that, Kitty, another bestie of mine! I will have to sort a hen-house if I take those poor chickens, they are up for adoption so if nobody bites they will end up with me. I always end up with the most broken creatures, Love to you, always. xxxx
And you always offer them love and healing! 🥰
xxx
It was a lovely break running around London, and it’s been fabulous seeing so many friends and family, what would we do without our besties??? Goodness….ever time I walk into the rescue someone has grand plans for me…..I shall have to think on the chicken situation, they both sound like they need a lot of care, and a home building, wish Philip lived close by.
You don’t need to send me a note….you are always there. That’s why I love you so, and for so many other reasons. Love and hugs to you all. xxxxx
Yay! I’m always so happy to see women making merry with their besties!
I LOVE your photos from your London adventure! Wow, Dina; what fun! The meal looks wonderful.
Glad all is well with your daughter and granddaughter! I knew it was Mother’s Day and meant to send a note, but am so happy you and your beautiful daughter had grand ones. As you deserve.
Interested to hear how you do with the birds, if they come to you! Blessings on that journey.
Sending 💕.
Your London trip looks fabulous. We keep planning to go to Mildred’s but haven’t managed it yet – I do have the cookbook though! :0) It’s a while since I’ve been to Kew Gardens; I’m sure the girls must have dragged me on the tree walk, but I’ve blocked it from my memory. We must go again to see The Hive – if I can cope with the sound of the Queen! Poor blind chuck – she needs someone like you to love her – no pressure! :0P xx
Oh…you have the cookbook! I need to get that and the Mowgli one! London prices are crazy, how they rip-off tourists! I shall block the tree walk from memory too…I much preferred seeing The Hive, you’ll love that experience, the Queen sound was utterly fascinating!! No pressure???? lol! Thanks Veggiemummy! xxx
Thanks Jade, I have been having a lovely time. Kew does get creative with it’s sculptures, you’d love it there. You need a couple of days to see it though so just have to pick your favourite spots.xxx
That sounds really good indeed. Nice places, interesting things, good food and most of all being with dear friends and family members. Love the sculptures especially. So very creative.
It sounds as if you have been having a great time. There’s nothing like spending time with goid friends to raise the spirits. I haven’t been to Kew for ages, you make me want to visit.
How lovely that baby lives so near so you can do regular doting.
Oh no, don’t tell me that you are going to keep a blind chicken in your study now.
It is always lovely catching up with friends. I do think Kew is fabulous, hope you get chance to visit soon, Lol…lots of doting going on for sure! The jury is out on the blind chicken as hubs is in Barcelona re work…I do like to run things past him even though I usually ignore his NO’S!! If I end up with the chickens they will have to go outdoors and live in a nice henhouse with a grassy floor. It would have to be built so I won’t be getting chickens any time soon….Thanks Chloris.xxx
Lovely upbeat post and wonderful pictures. I’d pass on the tree walk as I don’t like heights. xx
Thanks Flighty, I loathe artificial heights too so was relieved when back on the ground.xxx
We keep intending to visit Kew but haven’t yet got around to it. It’s strange how expensive vegetarian meals are when you take away the expense of meat, They never seem any cheaper than a meat option.
I love Kew, it always has something of interest throughout the seasons. It’s crazy how expensive vegan meals are, ridiculous really. Even the Greggs vegan sausage roll is 20p more than the meat one! xxx