London -- and Limnos!

On Thursday Jean took me to Kew Gardens where we spent most of the day.   Such a wonderful setting and plants from all over the world.   Magnificent trees, and such soft green lawns - like velvet.   In the evening we went out for dinner at a very nice restaurant, so ending another lovely day.   But today (for about fifteen minutes!) I did get to wear my rainjacket and put up my brolly, but then the sun came out and it was quite hot wandering around the wonderful garden beds.   We stayed overnight in London at the Lensbury Club, of which Jean and Angus are members.   They do a marvellous spread for breakfast!!   We wandered on Friday morning all along a towpath along the side of the Thames up to Ham House which is a very imposing Jacobean house but unfortunately it was closed - so we ambled back to the Lensbury and had some lunch out on the terrace, with the Thames in the background.   Before dropping me at my hotel at Gatwick Jean took me to Wisely Gardens which is run by the Royal Horticultural Society.    I am stunned by all the beautiful garden settings here - and although this year this part of England has had rain, they too have been suffering a long period of unusual dryness.

I was up at 4.00 am this morning so I could walk from the hotel into the Terminal for my 5.00 am check-in for the flight to Limnos, which was smooth and gave me a magnificent view of all of Europe (Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia then Greece) before descending to the airport on the island of Limnos (or Lemnos as it is also spelled).    Tony & Lisa were there to meet me, along with Lisa's father (Takis) who drove us home to his house.   TheTh scenery here is stunning - and the sea is crystal clear and sparkling blue.    The countryside is very dry but contrasts beautifully with the blue of the water.   The weather here is very hot and most people have a siesta for the afternoon, coming to life again in the evenings.   However, Tony & Lisa drove me along the coast a little bit where we had a cool drink in a lovely Taverna right on the beachfront.   This particular beach was a stony beach but the one here at Limnos is lovely white sand.   Needless to say - the sky is a clear blue and the sun is hot!!

Kew Palace in Kew Gardens

Boats waiting to go through the Teddington Lock on the Thames

A quiet morning on the Thames - fishing & sailing

Barges about to go through the Lock

Red Hot Pokers - even in Kew Gardens!

and Agapanthus, too.

One of the stunning garden beds at Kew

For Bruce - a waterfall in Kew Gardens!

A bit foggy - seen through the window of a Hot House

Yes - I actually climbed all the steps and walked all around the Tree Walk!!

Another for Bruce - reflections this time!

The house at Wisely Gardens

Limnos from the air

Tony & Lisa on the terrace

Lisa and I at the Taverna

View from the Taverna

Another part of the Taverna

Limnos coastline (from the car window)