I decided that it was more than appropriate for me to now stitch "Souvenir de France" by Blackbird Designs using Sajou thread! I just hope after the busy day I had today, that I've the energy to stitch.
Today we went to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.
What an amazing place. I felt much like a humble pilgrim who'd just reached Canterbury Cathedral (except that Chaucer did not deign to relate bawdy tales as we rode along the District Line).
The gardens are BIG. Over 300 acres big.
That means even the art installations have to be out-sized.
It also makes for some amazing vistas. The distant trees are on the far side of the Thames River.
This Pagoda is at the end of another long tree-lined axis.
We visited the Water Lily Greenhouse.
It turned out to be a perfect time to visit, as most of the lilies were in bloom.
We also meandered along this part of the garden. The flowerbeds are arranged by plant family.
And it is bisected by a rose arbor...
...that was just coming into full flush.
The pollinators seemed to be having a hey-ho time of it today.
In October 1987 Kew lost over 1000 trees when a hurricane-force wind blew through southern England. I cannot imagine the devastation. Remarkably, fifteen years later, there is little sign of that anything of that magnitude ever occurred.
Kew is deservedly a UNESCO World Heritage site.
One of the highlights for me was this small Robin singing a merry tune in the Temperate Greenhouse.
I took close to 400 photos, and will post more about the Greenhouses tomorrow.
Your robin photo is so lovely, you've captured the little bird perfectly. What a beautiful place to visit. My mum was south at her brother's funeral when the storm hit and she and her sister got stranded on a train that was stuck on the track in the middle of nowhere. We had no way of finding out where she was or if she was safe.
ReplyDeleteOh so gigantic and gorgeous! I can believe you took that many pictures. =)
ReplyDeleteVisiting Kew Gardens is on my bucket list. Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteloved the photo's today, the gardens are truely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I bet you where in heaven in those gardens!
ReplyDeleteOh how beautiful! I'm loving it!!! And that little robin -- so adorable! Why are English robins different from American ones? Love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful garden. I would love to have seen the water lillies. The little robin looked different from ours but so pretty! We have been on the North Cascade Loop. I was thinking of you, you and your Mom must have amazing energy!!
ReplyDeleteThe gardens are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm especially fond of the pink roses. The gardens are lovely and the little robin is so cute!
ReplyDeleteSounds like another wonderful day. Beautiful pictures. I am really enjoying your trip.
ReplyDeleteI could not get over the size of the Waterlily pads. They look huge. Beautiful photos and you have got to be tired. Looks like tons of walking. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeletelove Annette
So beautiful x
ReplyDeleteSwoon.
ReplyDeleteThe lily pads are amazing. The colors of there flower always amaze me..they seem to glow.
What a fabulous day out.
Wow, what a fun place to visit. I can't get over the size of those lily pads! I didn't know they could grow that big.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen such large lilies. Are those big ones real?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colors that you've chosen for your Paris piece, Beth! I wish our robins were as petite and cute as British ones :)
ReplyDeleteWow--can't wait for more of the Kew! Those water lilies are the most amazing I've ever seen.
ReplyDelete