Two other highlights of Kew Gardens aside from Dale Chihuly’s glass work was Princess Diana’s Conservatory and the Hive. 

These orchids were being hand pollinated.

Back to London.

We headed back to London for a few days before going on to Prague. While John did some research at the British Library Reading Rooms,  I went by train to Kew Gardens.   Dale Chihuly, famous glass artist, had a showing of his work at the time in the garden. Stunning!

About his work, Dale Chihuly says: ” I want my work to appear like it came from nature, so that if someone found one on a beach or in the forest, they might think it belonged there.”

Delightful walk where the trees are seen from above and identified.

Looking down at the green houses.

On one of our last outings together in April, Virginia and I went back to the British Museum. There is just too much to try to see all in one visit.

We visited the exhibit on Ancient Egypt, which left me wanting to visit the country.

The National Portrait Museum deserves more than just one visit. So much to take in.

While Virginia bought M&M’s for all her grandchildren at the 5 story M&M store I watched this street entertainment.

On our last night together,  we had a nice dinner out …

and saw Virginia off in the morning on a very crowded underground having to use her  suitcase for a seat.  It had been a wonderful three weeks together from April 7 to April 27, we did and saw so much.

Borough Market is definitely where to go to try different foods.

Watched pasta being made before shop opened then saw the line up once they opened.

Samples of everything offered. Delicious!

While we were here a contest was on to see which of 12 local farms produced the dried meat that was judged by locals to be the best.

We sure had fun trying all 12 and rating them.

We loved this store that displayed their sausages in old suitcases.  So clever.

Southwark Cathedral near the market.

Not quite early enough to hear the organ.

On Virginia’s list was Selfridges. A very old prestigious department store known for its service.

What I loved was the decorative art at the door..

At  the zoo.

On the 69 floor of the Shard. The Shard is twice as high as any other building in London.

The Queen’s Gallery.

Blooming trees everywhere.

Windsor Castle.

The hats in the store in Windsor were lovely. I had to sneak this photo as they were not allowed.

So many beautiful churches,

with incredible stained glass windows.

Kensington Palace.

Learning some proper castle etiquette.

The sunken garden in front of the palace in bloom.

A gorgeous day for a trip on the  Thames.

with company.

Views from the water.

When we were in downtown London the climate change protest was on. The positive side was there were no cars. The pollution in the city is quite astonishing.

Westminster Abbey did not allow any photos; too bad as it was right over the top.  Incredible interior.

We did manage this one in the very back of the church that had rows and rows of benches where hundreds of monks used to sit.

Trafalgar Square.

Church of St. Martin’s in the Field.

National Gallery.

Tower bridge.

Inside mechanism to lift the drawbridge

Tower of London where the crown jewels are kept.  They are exquisite and again no photos were allowed.

The tower had many uses and at one point in its history animals were kept here.

Traitor’s Gate where prisoners where brought into the tower for imprisonment or beheading.

Of course Buckingham Palace was on the list for the Changing of the Guard.

The flowers around the place entrance were beautiful.

Heading over to the Tate Modern Museum, we encountered the sight of this amazing building called the Shard.

The Tate is definitely worth a visit.

All the radios were playing on different stations!. A cacaphony of sound!

Views from The Tate observatory deck.

You can even see into the neighbors’ living space.

Big day.

Should we have decided we wanted a coffee this place, it came complete with hot water bottles and blankets.