Kew!

[ailbhe]

Yesterday we went to Kew to meet Kim. It was fab. The train trip over was wonderful, with a few examples of Linnea being extremely well-behaved and cooperative above the norm, and a series of just-enough-time connections. It was one of those trips where paying for her ticket was cheaper than taking her for free, so there you go.

Kew was lovely. It was freezing when we left the house, and wet. By the time we'd walked from the gate to the first greenhouse, it was very very warm and we were surprised by the drizzle. The greenhouse itself - the Temperate House, I believe - was boiling hot, but had fish in the basement so that was ok. We had a snack there, and later chips near the playground. Someone at the playground asked how old Linnea was and commented that her language was extraordinary, which was lovely, because usually people think she's older than she is and are nasty about it, since maturity in one field means they can expect it in all. Linnea's language IS extraordinary. Lots of babies' language is extraordinary, and it's lovely. And useful - "I wunning away down a HILL!" as my sister's toddler yelled while dashing straight down the ungated front driveway towards the road.

Hurrah for chips - All Calories, All The Time. Fending off the monster of unwanted weightloss and also getting sarky with the children because I'm tired.

We forgot to get a map; I will remember next time, because they are useful and tell one where the loos and babychange are, though there are so many of both in Kew that one can find them unguided.

I'd like to go there once a month on a weekday, in addition to family weekend day trips. Will have to find people to go with, mind you.

Comments

[rpdom.livejournal.com]

The greenhouse closest to the Victoria gate is the Palm House, it's very hot and damp in there. Did you look at the aquarium exhibit underneath it?

There's an online map (http://www.kew.org/visitor/KewMap.html) which you can print off, but they give out a better map at the gate.

I'd love to meet up with you there some time. If it's on a weekday I'll need some advance warning so I can book a day or two off work, but that shouldn't be a problem.

[rpdom.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I should have used this user pic - taken in the Temperate House a couple of weeks ago :-)

[random-c.livejournal.com]

Indeed, there's no basement - at least no public one - in the Temperate, which is the biggest surviving Victorian glass structure in I think the world, but probably just the UK.
I am, incidentally, currently printing a picture of it. :) The curvy steamy one with the fish is indeed the Palm House.

[rpdom.livejournal.com]

Oh, I missed Ailbhe's comment about the fish... doh!

[sierra-le-oli.livejournal.com]

I'm still finding stones in my bag. :-)