Beautiful, if a bit damp, Kew Gardens.

Even though the weather was not promising much, we decided to venture to Kew Gardens. It took a while to get there as there were 'disruptions due to signal faults' on the Tube central line. We ended up in Ealing Broadway and caught the number 65 bus which took us right to the gates.

We found the Kew Explorer (the little train) and bought tickets to have a tour of the entire gardens. They are amazing, established in 1759 (pre Captain Cook!). There are still some of the original trees which were planted back then. They are enormous!

 

After leaving the Kew Explorer we went to visit The Hive, an enormous 17 metre high aluminium structure which is linked to the real bee hives in the gardens. Every time a bee moves or communicates with another bee, a coloured light flashes. There is a constant sound pattern in the key of C which apparently replicates the sound/music that bees make. It was amazing! They have planted lots of wild flower meadows to encourage the bees.

 

Unfortunately Kew Gardens is directly under the flight path for Heathrow. One plane every minute flying very low creates a very noisy experience.

 

We spent the rest of the time strolling through the gardens. It was very blustery and rainy, but at 2.00ish the sun finally came out and it was gorgeous.

 

IWe saw peacocks, squirrels, the area where the Badgers live (but no badgers, sadly), ducks and geese, lots of birds and insects, water lilies, amazing trees and some beautiful decorative buildings. We also saw the tiniest baby coot/moor hen being fed by his/her parents. A lovely day.

 

At 4.00 we left to catch the bus back to Ealing Broadway. Now that was an experience! I've never been on such a crowded bus in my life. People just kept on getting on. It was packed, like a footy train. We arrived back at the hotel around 6.00pm. A great, if damp day.

 

 

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