For Christmas 2023 Mr B's daughters gave us tickets for a day out at Kew Gardens. What with one thing and another we hadn't made the 'days out' this year that had been our objective when we embarked on my last year as a permanent resident of this beautiful land with all its variety, history, culture and innovation.
By Thursday evening I had worked my way through my list of admin and had arrived at 'cancel my phone contract'. That can wait until I am actually boarding the departing plane, so as we were pushing yet another one of my freezer dinners around our plates I suggested a day out at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew for Friday.
By train.
If I had an annual membership and went every week there still wouldn't be enough time in a year to contemplate and absorb all the possibilities it represents. There are a 1000 potential garden designs percolating round my brain. I didn't take a load of photos that are worth sharing despite grand vistas, great textures and colours, and interesting plant associations.
As we were crossing a quiet lawn on our way out, having finished our day with a contemplation of the waterlily house, we were approached by a squirrel. Said squirrel had noticeably yellow fur on its tummy. Apart from that it was either blind or well versed in running up to gullible humans who fall for cuteness overload.
It likes pieces of apple, but it doesn't eat the skin.
I think it has trained the humans! Cats aren't the only ones !!
ReplyDeleteYeap - it knew where snacks come from.
DeleteKew Gardens..another of my favourite places to visit when I lived down there. My schoolfriend and I would take a packed lunch and catch the bus, spending all day there. Back then it only cost pennies for entry!
ReplyDeleteWe picnic lunched too and where treated to a parade of Canada geese marching (as geese march) from one grazing spot to the next past our bench.
Deletelol the only things that come looking for food here are those bl****** seagulls after your hot chips or kookaburras who’ll snatch the sausage out of your fingers or off your plate even.
DeleteWill you be’ ‘sad’ to leave GB or do you really feel ‘it’s time’.
It’s a big move to consider now so I’m curious to know if you’d considered retirement in the UK or was it always planned for you both to come back to NZ . (Tell me to MMOB if inappropriate)
Cathy it was always my plan. Things have delayed it's execution for about 20 years but I set retirement as do or die time. I can't imagine spending my last years here.
DeleteHow lovely to hand-feed a squirrel. Kew Gardens are so special, a treasure trove and huge library of seeds. It must be such a privilege to work there, as well as hard work.
ReplyDeleteI watched a TV series once about daily life at Kew (from the perspective of the gardeners). It was fascinating :)
ReplyDeleteGreat place.
DeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteSo glad you finally got the use of the ticket! To have such charming company was a bonus 😁. YAM xx
They’re so clever. They know who to approach for free food
ReplyDeleteour squirrels get only the apple skins, they love them.. when I peel apples to cook, I toss them out under three under the sky-way trees so we can watch them eat. none of them have yellow tummies. do you have a date for the plane leaving? I have been storm watching and missed it
ReplyDelete31 October. (Maybe squirrel came back for the skins he discarded.)🐿
DeleteYou seem to have made the most of your years in Greece and the uk. Ready for new adventures in NZ. I expect it will have changed some since your childhood.
ReplyDeleteI have been back most years since I left 30 years ago. Yes much changed - not all bad.
DeleteWe have millions of squirrels here but didn't know they are picky eater! bol. Juno and mom
ReplyDeleteOne day I intended to stay close to Kew gardens and go every day. I have only been there once, just a fraction of what is there made me want more. Time is running out for me though, so my wish is now yours to keep.
ReplyDeleteSomewhere else I would like to visit TM.
ReplyDeleteYou would love the student gardens Dave.
DeleteI would love to visit that place, I already follow their fb page
ReplyDeleteMy friends have got an annual membership for Kew so they go up regularly. Whatever the time of year there's beauty of form and colour to enjoy. Arilx
ReplyDelete