Fire!

Rob is unable to go home at the moment due to a fire in St Helier..  He is going to a friends house to wait it out but may not be able to go home till the morning.
It looks very spectacular - but the police and firefighters say all is under control.

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.