Day at Kew Gardens

Charlotte and I had a lovely day at Kew today. The weather was beautiful - sunny and warm, but not too hot to walk about in. We travelled by train - it seemed a complicated journey with a change at St Albans and another at West Hampstead - but it was actually very easy. As we had train tickets we were able to get 2 for 1 on the entry to Kew - saving £14.50.

It looks stormy in this pic - but it really wasn't

These stairs went up to the balcony

The Palm House was our first destination - and it was spectacular with some inpressive plants and lots of information.

View from balcony

The Water lilly House was next - although much smaller, still full of spectacular lilly pads and flowers.

We then headed for the Tree Top walkway which involved climbing over 100 steps (we came down in the lift).
Charlotte discovered she doesn't like heights - especially as the walkway moved slightly - Jerry would be in agreement with her I am sure!
 The view was lovely - but probably better in the winter when no leaves on the trees.

Walkway up in the tree tops

View across to the Temperate House

Next we visited the Evolution House, which showed how plants evolved from the start of time to the present day, and the Temperate House which is the largest of the glass houses.

David Nash sculpture

 After all this walking and exploring it was time for lunch. We sat in the sunshine looking over the lake to eat it. There were so few people around despite the nice weather - which really surprised us!

View from lunch bench

After lunch we took a stroll in the other direction and visited the alpine house, order beds, rose pergola and then went to the Princess of Wales conservatory.  It was named after Princess Augusta, founder of Kew, and opened in 1987 by Diana, Princess of Wales. It is the most complex conservatory at Kew, containing ten computer-controlled climatic zones under one roof. We saw all but one zone - as the last one was closed to the public.

Princess of Wales Conservatory

Alpine House

You wouldn't think we could pack much more into our day - but we did! After a drink and an ice-cream to revive us we continued our exploration. Kew Palace and the Queen's Garden were next. The palace is about 400 years old but looks newly painted.
The Queen's Garden is very formal in a 17th century style, with a parterre enclosed with box hedges.

The staff dress in period costume

We followed the path round to the secluded garden - this was Charlotte's favourite.  It was beautifully laid out with little seats and poems to inspire thoughtfulness. In the middle was a water feature made from slate.

 
 












Next was the Duke's garden which was beautiful and much less formal, with drifts of planting.  I think this was my favourite garden - I loved informal mix of colour and texture.

 

Our day was nearly over, a slow stroll back to the Victoria gate ready to catch the train home. We both really enjoyed the day and would certainly go again in a different season.



 

 

Pixel's Day Out

Pixel has had a great day out today. We started by taking him to Pets At Home where he got a new throwing toy and a little jumper to keep him warm rather than dry. Both were reduced.
We then drove into Dunstable and parked up by the Priory, walking into town with him through the 'park' - really the cemetery. 

Posing in his new jumper!

Pixel and I waited outside shops while Sam got what we needed. He experienced bikes, scooters, a wheelchair, buggies and people with walking sticks and bags. None of these bothered him at all which was great. He was also good crossing and walking along busy roads. Lots of people stopped to pet him and talk to him while we were out and he generally didn't jump up - which is something we have been working on.
However when I went into a shop he was not so good for Sam - he weed up a bag and then tried to eat a cake in a carrier bag that someone had dropped. While she tried to stop him doing this she dropped a bag with a card in it - which started blowing away and she had to chase!
Pound Land had a new range of dog toys in - so Pixel was treated to a few (they were £1 each Jerry!) During the whole time we were out the only thing that scared him was someone putting a trolley away - so we were very pleased at that!

Pixel loves his new ragball

New throwing toy - you can put a treat in the middle

Pixel was worn out after his experiences!

Longest Day

Today is the longest day of the year - what a shame it has been so wet. It feels like summer hasn't really started yet but the days will just be getting shorter from now. Lets hope for a nice July and August!

Sun rise at Stonehenge this morning

Bronze Class

 Pixel started his bronze class today - we both enjoyed learning some new exercises and commands.This is where we go - keegans-knines. Pixel is learning 'hold', how to wait at a door and how to climb stairs without pulling. He is also practising 'bed' - which he does know but doesn't always like to do. We will also be working on walking on the lead without pulling and without wearing his halti.

The Central Bedfordshire Dog Show

Charlotte, Sam and I took Pixel and Snoopy along to The Central Bedfordshire Dog Show. It was held at Houghton Hall in Houghton Regis. We entered both dogs in some of the open classes as we thought it would be fun and good for their socialisation. Pixel was up first in the 'Waggiest Tail' class - sadly he refused to wag his normally never still tail. Snoopy was placed in 'The Most Handsome Dog' class and 'The Best Trick' class. Pixel was also placed in 'Dog the Judge Would Most like to Take Home' class - he came 8th out of around 40 other dogs - so we were very pleased. 


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Goodbye Twinny

Little Twinny died unexpectedly today - he hadn't really been ill, just a bit of a sore foot and a lice infestation which we treated. He wasn't our oldest rat either, so a bit of a mystery why he went next. His brother, Twinny Two, will be sad without him - they were always together.

Sam's Birthday

It was Sam's Birthday today - she had some lovely presents from her mum and Jerry - a purse, a new bag and some silver cuff links. I bought her a professional socket set - which she chose to make sure I got the correct one!Pip and Liam bought her some cherry Jim Beam and some cherry hot chocolate - which looks delicious.
Mum sent over sausage rolls and a chocolate cake and I made a chocolate cherry gateaux with fresh cherries and fresh cream!
 We had a special dinner and then Sam went to bed as she had only had two hour sleep the night before as she had been working.

Good News

Dad went to see the consultant today to find out his scan results. She said there was no sign of the tumour on the scan - which is amazing news. He has also put on a good amount of weight. The consultant thinks the swallowing problem is damage from the radiotherapy and that they should be able to do something to ease it. Dad has to go for a barium meal so they can have a look as well as regular check ups on his lungs every three months.
Great to have some positive news!

Poetry

My sister had posted on Facebook that this had made her cry - I read it and it made me cry too! 

Around The Corner  

Charles Hanson Towne

Around the corner I have a friend,
In this great city that has no end,
Yet the days go by and weeks rush on,
And before I know it, a year is gone.

And I never see my old friends face,
For life is a swift and terrible race,
He knows I like him just as well,
As in the days when I rang his bell.

And he rang mine but we were younger then,
And now we are busy, tired men.
Tired of playing a foolish game,
Tired of trying to make a name.

"Tomorrow" I say! "I will call on Jim
Just to show that I'm thinking of him",
But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes,
And distance between us grows and grows.

Around the corner, yet miles away,
"Here's a telegram sir," "Jim died today."
And that's what we get and deserve in the end.
Around the corner, a vanished friend.

Puppy Test

Pixel passed his puppy test this evening in class. He was remarkably good and did nearly everything perfectly - especially the recall and the stay.
We are going on to do another six weeks of training - working towards the bronze award.


 These pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago when Sam gave Pixel a raw egg to try - he loved it!

The weekend

The weekend started with Sam and I ordering our new kitchen from Ikea on Friday evening. we have decided just to order the cupboards and worktops from them and source the appliances elsewhere. Sam has already bought the integrated fridge. The new layout means we will gain not only more cupboard space but also more worktop - which pleased Sam greatly.

Saturday morning was spent at the nursery attached to the children's centre where I work. Sam kindly sorted out the printer and smart board for Sarah. After lunch we did a bit o shopping and checked out appliances. We have decided on a glass topped gas hob - just need to find one that has an oven we like too. Sam also did some sealing in the en-suite where the silicon had come away. She also had another look at the kitchen tap - which despite her best efforts continues to leak!

Sunday started with a skype chat to wish Vickie a happy birthday for yesterday - we kept missing each other on line yesterday! We did a bit more research for appliances, collected some clothes gifted on freecycle and spent the rest of the day chilling at home. I cooked us a nice roast dinner then played with Pixel as he was getting bored and naughty - currently worn out and sleeping, so it worked!

Sam is on earlies next week so an early night for us - but it means she will be home to see Pixel take his puppy test tomorrow evening.

Our Jubilee Weekend

Everyone was given an extra bank holiday this weekend - so no work till Wednesday (or Thursday for me, as Wednesday is my day off)! Sam and I started the weekend by repairing the bathroom taps - the basin one needed a refresher kit as we could no longer turn the tap on - knob just went round and round. Pip and Liam will be able to clean their teeth now when they come to stay. Sadly the kitchen tap that Sam replaced in the week is still leaking somewhere and still needs looking at.

Pip and Liam came to stay on Saturday afternoon. We collected them from the station - it's great living so close! Sam and Liam worked on his CV and covering letter and started looking at possible careers. Pip played on the new Pokemon game that Sam had bought her as a Birthday present and forgotten about. We had a nice vegan chilli for supper.

On Sunday Sam, Pip and I took Pixel for a walk on the Downs. It was raining quite heavily and we all got wet and soggy. Liam didn't join us as he had no suitable footwear - he carried on with his covering letter instead. Sam cooked vegetable soup for lunch - which was delicious, then Sam and I set out to mums for Jubilee tea. She had put on a great spread including coronation chicken and rice, sausage rolls, pork pie and her delicious cheese straws. To follow there was either chocolate cake or Victoria sponge as well as strawberry tarts! We all watched the river pageant and then played cards. Pip and Liam made use of the bathroom facilities while we were gone.

On Bank Holiday Monday we all went into Dunstable for a few bits and had a look in Wickes and Homebase at their kitchens before Sam and I make a final decision on the one we will go for. Sam and I have been working on the kitchen for over a week now and are getting close to a final design and price we like! We popped over to feed the bunnies at Charlotte's as her and Ian are away fishing. Pip and Liam went to his parents house this evening and Sam and I had a quiet evening together. We watched the Jubilee concert - which I enjoyed very much.

Tuesday was also wet - the weather has been a bit of a wash out for the Bank Holiday. We chatted with Vickie and Jerry for a while then fed the bunnies again. Sam also managed to replace the washers in the bath - it took a bit of work but the tap has stopped dripping now yay - it has dripped all the time we have lived here and the bottom of the bath had got furred up. I used some elbow grease and limelight to clean it up. We worked a little more on the kitchen design - we have decided on an Ikea kitchen as it gives us what we want at a reasonable price. Sam played xbox while I cooked fish and chips for dinner. Quiet evening watching a film then bed - ready for Sam back to work tomorrow. 
 

Diamond Jubilee

The Diamond Jubilee has been a time of patriotism and community activities, including nearly 10,000 street parties. There have been many other events too, each celebrating the Queen's 60 years on the throne. I have put together a collection of photographs from the news over the last few weeks which I feel capture the spirit of the Diamond Jubilee.

The Coronation

Spelling out ER

  Watching the fly past

Troops honour The Queen

A street party - one of many

The River Pageant

The Royal Party on The spirit of Chartwell

Display of patriotism

Meeting performers after the Jubilee concert

Lighting the beacon at the top of The Mall

Procession up The Mall

The obligatory balcony appearance to end the celebrations!

No-one can do pageantry like Britain!