Hampton Court to Kew Gardens

I was determined to preserve whatever cartilage was left in my knee by limiting exertions today. After preparatory Voltarens we set out for our big excursion day. First came a bus to Waterloo station. (For those of you wondering why I never refer to the famous London Underground - it is because Lyn considers this famous network to be a nefarious plot to trap her in tiny spaces. This means we are good at buses.) Then we caught the suburban train to Hampton Court via ...!

Tom and Barbara Good were not in evidence but Lyn tried valiantly to see into Surbiton backyards anyway. She is not very competent with an iPad, so she only got front yards.

Hampton Court was the centre of a dispute between our two guidebooks. Lonely Planet wins - it was excellent. The palace was terrific, and if costumed historical characters wandering about sounds a bit naff - it all worked very well. The setting by the Thames amid stunning gardens didn't hurt either. Once in the gardens I took the easy option and was towed around by these two hairy fellas.

We had a great lunch and then it was off on another bus ride. We caught the buses to Kew Gardens (aka the Royal Botanic Gardens), a 50-minute trip.

This proved an even bigger highlight. It didn't hurt that the drizzle disappeared and we had a beautiful afternoon. The place is hundreds of hectares of eye-achingly beautiful woodland by the Thames studded with 18th century follies, 19th century architect-designed glasshouses that look like miniature Crystal Palaces, modern exhibits and various classy eateries.

I hope you like this next picture. Lyn's first attempt was at such a strange angle that we decided to have another go. In the process my iPad LEAPT from its case and flung itself on the ground, cracking the screen. How could this happen? It just did.

I would never have thought I'd find plants and gardens so interesting. We could have spent the whole day there easily. I saved the knee a bit by riding the little tour train around.  

It says something about both Hampton Court and Kew that we left knowing we hadn't come close to seeing everything interesting about them.

We caught the train home and Lyn endured the last underground part of the trip. Then it was the bus home. Great day, hurtling iPads notwithstanding, and only one full day left in London. What shall we do after such a serene day? Yep. Portobello Road beckons...