London the Ocean at the End of the Lane

Was a bit worried about the weather yesterday and what it was going to do, but it was a lovely sunny, cold,spring day!!!

I saw crocus’s so it's definitely spring!!!!

Went in via Victoria station for a change and finally found the Victoria labyrinth!!!! It had been taken down due to renovations but it’s finally up again 😃😃

Also found the Kew labyrinth too😃😃

Made it to Kew Gardens, unfortunately when I booked it I had no idea it was half term!!!!

I hate school holidays!!!

Aka kids!!!!!

First thing at Kew, on my must see/do list was the tree top walkway!!! 108 steps up and 108 steps down, yes I still hate stairs!!!!! But once up top it was beautiful, and I can confirm the walkway wobble’s in the wind!!!!

Next stop was to find the giant pagoda as a coin collector this has been on my list for years to see.

Saw lots of crocus, daffodils and later on some snowdrops on the way.

Next up was the Japanese gateway followed and the temperate house which was fantastic. Yes more stairs!! 48 this time, but I got to walk on the walkway above the plants it was amazing.

I had a timed ticket at 14.45 to see the orchards, I am so pleased I pre booked!!! It was so busy!!!!

I admit pre covid I didn’t like crowds, post?? (If we’re postcovid) covid I hate them!!!!! But the display’s were beautiful!!! Just too many people and ques!!!!

At this point was was exasperated, far too many people, i found the hive on my way to the palm house, yes another 52 steps to the top!!!

Have I told you I hate steps!!!!!

After that I gave up, it was 16.15 and I needed a pee and coffee (first and only one of the day, coffee that is). Finally found the only open toilet at Kew (all closed for refurbishment!!) for the cleaning crew to close it so they can clean it for 10 mins!!! even though the park was closing in 45mins!!!!

Being desperate for a pee I went in the boys!!! I gave them warning and asked permission, I said very loudly

“lady here, desperately needing a pee, please can I come in, I promise not to look!!”

They said it was fine, so I peed in the boys, thanked the men that were there and got told I was very brave by some ladies waiting for the ladies toilet.....not sure it was brave, more like pee in a toilet or my pants desperation!!!!!!!

Finally I sat down with a coffee £2.20!!!! It was good coffee and I needed it.

I liked Kew it was lovely but you definitely need more than 1 visit to see everything and whow the airplane’s come in so close you can see the landing gear coming down!!!! They are also very noisy!!

Next I walked back to Kew station via Tesco express and picked up a sandwich meal deal with the plan to go to my favourite park St James and have a picnic while watching the world go by before heading to the theatre.

Yeah....that didn’t work after buying food and standing at Kew station it started raining!!!!

Up side I saw a rainbow 🌈 first one in years for me. So where to eat dinner...needs to be under cover, with seats...decided Victoria station, it’s dry, has seats, free Wi-Fi and it’s on the way!!!

Dinner done it was still raining!!!! I took some time at Victoria station not something I usually do, found two old maps and a dedicated plaque to the unknown solider.

Eventually it was time to go and see “the ocean at the end of the lane” play

Oh whow it was spectacular, paid £23.80 for my seat A2. No idea what it usually costs but the seats in row B sell for £89!!!!!!! If you want to see something a bit different and a bit scary, this is the play for you!! It’s also a book, that I need to read!!!

The journey home!!!

This is getting ridiculous now!!!!

So had a lovely chat with the door man at the theatre, during the interval and I said I was worried about getting to London Bridge station in time for the 22.45 train as the 23.15 was cancel and that meant hanging around until 00.08!!!!

Last train.

He was fantastic, he said instead of getting the underground from Charing cross take the overground!!!

He was so right saved 10 mins made it in plenty of time for the 22.45 to find out they CANCELLED it!!!!!!!!

Just spent the last 10 mins working out if Brighton is an option…… nope because you have to change at Hove to get to Worthing and the train at Hove is the London Bridge train which has been cancelled!!!!!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr wasn’t going to get wine this week…..yep I have some now!!!!!

Who knows when I will make it home!!!!

Update I am now sat on the 00.08 train waiting to go home, its 23.55, its warm and the wine is now open and there is food (another tesco sandwich meal Deal) 😜😜😜

Finally made it home at 02.00!!!!

I can definitely say I am exhausted I got the 10.35 train to Victoria having slept for about 3hrs!!! and it’s now 2am!!!

Bed where’s my bed!!!

Walked about 10 miles!!!

Video of the tree top walk

https://youtube.com/watch?v=uHUNkN5PpAM&feature=share