I am excited! Heath has generously woken up early on his day off to treat me to a jogging tour of the Royal Parks! What is also amazing is the weather- I have never been in London when I haven't been freezing cold in spite of my sweater, jacket, coat, scarf, hat....this is a London I don't know- short sleeves, and cropped pants and I am perfectly comfortable- incredible!
Now I better do a little stretching- don't want to cramp up in front of the Queen!
The first park is Kennington Park- just down the road from Heath's flat- not a Royal Park but still part of the tour. For the record, despite how it looks, I am not speed walking. I am 'jogging' (at least that's what I think I'm doing!)
Next we stop by Vauxhall City farm on the way downtown. Apparently the city started this little "farm" so city kids could be exposed to farming and have the opportunity to have a little garden. (Sounds like they may have picked up a little something up from President Kimball.)
Seriously, this is my running view- unreal! I am still not used to the fact that I am here in London!
Hey- she actually has a helmet on- that's a first!
The flowers at St. James's Park are amazing! Springtime is beautiful here!
The grounds at Buckingham Palace are also magnificent though many areas are blocked off- guess they don't want those pesky tourists to mess everything up before the Royal Wedding (can't say that I blame them!)
Hyde Park- little pause to admire the sculpture.....(and, yes, I am fully aware that I look ridiculous as my sunglasses aren't exactly 'running' glasses- but I have sensitive eyes.... I'll admit it- I'm addicted to sunglasses!)
Now through Wellington's Arch- I wonder how it will compare to the Arc d' Triomphe?
My choice of running gear pretty much screams "American Tourist"....oh, well, guess it's a good thing I'm not ashamed of my country!
Enormous Union Jack's lining the Mall- kind of makes you want to start singing "God Save the Queen!"
Drill practice in preparation for the Wedding.
Don't make him laugh....after all his years of training it would be tragic if he lost his job right before the National Celebration!
And now its back past Westminster, the London Eye, and across the Themes and that concludes the 7.5mile tour of the Royal Parks. What a glorious start to the day!
And the day is still young. Now it's off to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew (or simply Kew Gardens) with Heath and George. Due to a serendipitous distraction, we miss our tube stop and get to take a quick trip on the famous Double-Decker bus. Got to admit it is kind of fun.
The Greenhouses are massive- and beautiful!
Heath gives us a tutorial
on horti-
cultural
botany...
Fascinating!
Haha!
Kind of looks like of like a giant sword fern......turns out that's because it's a tree fern. I am brilliant!
Beautiful- my little Cannon doesn't do too bad with flowers. (Don't worry- I won't post every flower pic.)
Ugly fish- looks prehistoric.
Looks like a Rhododendron....cause it is a Rhododendron. Am I sensing a pattern here?
Random Churchill display- but really, can we ever say enough?
Creepy little worms in the aquarium.... Heath and I are actually pretty grossed out as they stare at us with their beady little eyes...I think they would eat us if they could.
And the grounds are absolutely breath-taking!
Impressively large tree....dwarfs Heath and George.
Carnivorous flower- looks so innocent!
The treetop walkway...doesn't look too high....
Ok- maybe it is a little high! Don't look down.....
Don't I look composed posing for a pic as I feel the walkway sway with the wind and creek with every step....I am calm, I am calm.....
The bluebells are in bloom- perfect place for a little rest!
I feel the urge to lay down right in the middle of the blooms and take a nap...will I ever wake up?
Queen Charlotte's summer 'cottage'. It is exponentially bigger than my apartment...though honestly it looks a bit drafty and old....I think I'm okay where I am.
Cool looking Japanese structure.
And with that we are done with Kew- A truly beautiful experience!
Now I just have to wonder....what can beat today?
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