Trixie Traveler in London 2014: Kew Gardens

Dave and Anne have not slept well but I slept like a baby. We had breakfast again at Wot the Dickens around the corner from our hotel. Then we walked to the St.Pancras-Kings Cross tube station to go to Kew Gardens. Transferred at South Kensington to the District line to continue our journey. It's about a 45 minute tube ride on the west side of London. A half mile walk from the tube brings us to this vast botanical garden. It is a little like the Botanical GRdens in GG Gate Park only much, much bigger. There are several "glass houses," as they are called here, housing different kinds of plants. The largest glass house is closed for renovation. The park is overrun today with school classes! We seem always to be caught behind a group or have been 5 minutes late getting to an area before it was overrun by a school group. It is a good place to take children though - lots of space and kid orientd activities. There are many different kinds of gardens and an unusual feature, stairs leading to a path at the tops of the trees. Some of the trees are really tall!! We have lunch at one of the cafés in the park. Weather is blessedly cool which makes walking around appealing and enjoyable. We have walked about 6 ½ miles today according to Anne's pedometer.

We start back at 2:00. Walking back to the hotel, Anne is hungry so she and I stop to get a bit at a "Moreish" cafe. (We would say "moorish"). We have a delicious selection of nibbles - a delicious slab of blue cheese. marinated olives, two kinds of meat, and a salad. This cafe is on Marchmont Street.

We rest awhile before going out to dinner at WagaMamas up the same street as our hotel, a mile or so walk. It's a chain but serves healthy Asian food. Believe Dave and I ate at one with Steve in San Francisco. We all enjoy our food. It started raining while we were eating so carrying our umbrellas was not for naught. Dave and I enjoyed the rain! When we get back to the hotel, it is still early so Anne and I go to the hotel bar for a glass of wine but they are full so we walk a couple of blocks up our street and go to Jesse's Wine Bar. They have regular meals but also coffee, wine and such. Dave meets us and we walk back together.

One thing we have been amazed at is all the cyclists now in London! Cycling is something the city has been encouraging and it seems many people are taking advantage of the separated cylclewayss and more bike friendly environment. Most people are wearing helmets which is a change from past practice.

It was really a lovely, enjoyable day.

Just a few of the beautiful flowers here!