To help celebrate my birthday Leandra treated me to an afternoon at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (better known as Kew Gardens). The District line took us within a few blocks of the entrance, and after scanning our internet pre-purchased tickets we were soon on the grounds. And wow, what grounds they are!

water lily house

The azaleas and rhododendrons were in full bloom and putting on quite a show – I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a range in one place before.

After several hours of exploring our feet were tired, and we only saw a fraction of this massive garden – it is well worth the ticket price and we will be back.

Next, Leandra’s Aunt Kim and Uncle Jules picked us up in an Uber and we headed to the nearby town of Richmond.

view from Richmond Hill

Leandra and her Aunt Kim!

Richmond was a pretty part of London that we had never experienced, and it was a beautiful evening along the Thames.

We had a great diner at the White Cross, then after-dinner drinks at the White Swan a short distance away. Far too soon we had to head back to our hotel to pack for the next stage of our trip, Iceland!