RHS Wisley – 29 August 2015

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAToday started dull, but soon brightened up. Hazy wasn’t feeling too good, so Neil took us to Wisley RHS Gardens. We had hoped that we’d all manage to go, but it was not to be. It was also an opportunity for a longer run in the new car. I do think Scamp quite fancies a Mini as our new car. Not too long a journey and I’m glad that we were not going on the notorious M25.

 

Paid up and entered the gardens. There was a sculptures display today organised by Surrey Sculpture Society. In total there were 64 sculptures and groups on the walk round the gardens. The gardens themselves were immaculate without being too tidy. I thought at first it would be too much for one day, but we did manage to see the majority of the displays and the statues made an interesting change from the plants and flowers without dominating entirely. Had lunch about halfway round at the cafe ( I hand chicken with tabouleh and it was lovely – must make tabouleh again some time). After lunch we walked through the Glasshouse which reminded me a bit of Kew, but on a smaller scale. It also made me think of the Botanic Gardens at Kelvingrove, but that’s on an even smaller scale, if a bit more interesting architecturally. Came away after about three hours, just as the first drops of rain started. A good day and it shows on the two hundred odd photos I’d taken.

Dinner at Jimmy Spice’s. You don’t have to choose from Chinese, Indian, Italian and American – just have them all. That’s what I did. Well, actually I didn’t have American (burgers) and only a little bit of Italian. Other than that, it’s just stuff your face and work it off next week, all things being equal.

 

A day in London – 28 August 2015

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAA day in London. Train into Waterloo and then after wandering around for a while and getting nowhere we returned to Waterloo and got the tube to London Bridge. From there we easily found our way to Borough Market. We were a bit concerned when we found that the front of the market had been ‘poshed’ up, but once we got inside, all was as it had always been. Lots of lovely food from all the four corners of the globe it that’s not a contradiction in terms. Bought some salami from one stall then salsiccia and spicy italian jam stuff from another. Both for taking back up the road with us. Had fresh pasta for lunch from a stall. It never ceases to amaze me how good and varied the food is from these stalls. Wish we had that.

 

Costa’s for coffee then another walk around. Walked over London Bridge trying to avoid the hoardes of chancers trying to fleece the public with ‘cup and ball’ games. Then past the ‘walkie talkie’ building which has a Sky Garden on the top. Amazingly there was no wind anywhere in town, but around that building there was a gusty wind. Apparently, because the ‘hollow’ side of the building is part parabolic, it focuses the suns rays on some of the streets below. Why aren’t these buildings researched properly before building. After 20 Fenchurch Street we walked to the Tower of London, then across Tower Bridge to find a pub. I had a pint of Naked Ladies(!) and Scamp had a Pimms – well, it is still summer. From there it was back to London Bridge and the trains back to Hazel’s.

Dinner was fish and chips from the chip shop. Foolishly I asked for small chips and a big fish. Big Fish!? This must be the biggest haddock in a fish supper I’ve ever seen.

Hoping to head for a RHS garden tomorrow

 

Heading South – 27 August 2015

IMG_2675- blog--245--239Up and out early to get a taxi to the station for the train to Glasgow, yes Glasgow because we are travelling down on the West Coast line to London. Pleasant enough journey down with loads to eat on the train. Updated our Oyster cards and headed off into the mysterious Underground. Got to Vauxhall and, for once, just managed to catch the connection to Chessington. One big disappointment on the way was that the Harrier jump jet had disappeared from the builder’s yard in Tolworth. Apparently it was removed in January 2015 because the MOD had decided it was a health and safety hazard. Not because they wanted to sell it.  Oh, no it couldn’t be that.  Such a pity.

Arrived at Chessington and met Neil in his new car. Very nice it is too. Home to meet Hazel and then a long catch up.