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My birthday and RBG Kew

First I wanted to say thank you so much to everyone, over 100 of my friends, for wishing me a Happy Birthday yesterday on my Facebook. I’m absolutely overwhelmed with the outpouring of love. Thank you my friends. I treasure each and every one of you.

And second, I’d like to tell you that I had the most fabulous birthday in the world!

As usual and traditional for us, Robert took me to RBG Kew for the day.

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It was overcast and misty, and, since we usually have hot summer weather at Kew, it was wonderful to walk around in the fresh and cool. We were saying that Paris in April is nothing as romantic as our version of romantic: Kew on a drizzly summer’s day. 😀

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Traditionally we head to the Orangery for tea and lunch, plan our walk…

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lunch

…and head out to the gardens.

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Each year there is a new summer theme at Kew, and this year it was all about spice.

Various areas in the garden had self learning booths set up with information about a spice, drawers to open to smell them, and historic examples on display. Did you know that one variety of star anise, a native Japanese variety, is actually highly toxic and often used for incense, and sometimes the spice has been mixed up with culinary star anise resulting in deaths? I never knew that!

spice

We walked around the student gardeners’ beds, (good to see that even expert gardeners have weeds, lol)

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Love the stick and pot method of keeping the nets up.

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We took photos everywhere.

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R is very skilled at photobombing! He makes me laugh so much. 😀

photobomb

Then I have to say to him, “Oi, get out of my photos!” And I get the lost little puppy look.

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At one point R had a rest in a little pergola while I walked around some more of the garden.

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And late into the day, we climbed the 60″ up 6 staircases to walk in the Kew treetops.
R ran the last couple staricases taking the stairs two by two, and when I got to the top I looked at him and said, “show off! 😀 ” The middle-aged British couple beside us sniggered ever so politely (although they tried not to show it…in that very British way.)

in the trees

What could have been better for me? I don’t know.

A day of love, companionship, garden and photos.

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Happy day. 😀

Comments: 22

  • July 14, 2015
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    Indeed, it looks like you had a grand birthday! The lilly with the water drops is so stunning! R seems to be a bit of a stinker, how fun!. He seems to be a bit like your cat!

  • July 14, 2015
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    Oh, and happy belated birthday!

  • July 14, 2015
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    Happy belated birthday friend and your photographs are amazing!

    karianne

  • July 14, 2015
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    Sounds like the perfect birthday! May all your dreams come true this year!

  • July 14, 2015
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    Don’t use Facebook, so I will wish you a Happy Belated Birthday, today….

    What a wonderful Birthday! Just lovely. And lovely memories where made also.

    Tessa

  • July 14, 2015
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    Happy Belated Birthday. Your blogs are always enchanting. Nice to see family photos also. Your life and you are beautiful inside and out.

  • July 14, 2015
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    What a beautiful day, despite the weather… absolutely fabulous! Thank you for sharing… July birthdays should always be sunny! 🙂 Mxx

  • catherine

    July 14, 2015
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    your birthday hug is sitting here waiting for your visit next week! 🙂 X

  • July 14, 2015
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    I’m glad you had a lovely birthday. Your photos are such a treat to see as always. Hubby looks like a lot of fun. Today is our son and DIL’s third wedding anniversary.

  • daryledelstein

    July 15, 2015
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    sounds perfect!

  • July 15, 2015
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    Happy birthday, it looks like a wonderful day! 🙂

  • July 16, 2015
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    Oh you gorgeous girl! Happy happy birthday I hope you had the best day! Ah you are a cancer .. so am I! LOL .. I just love these photos, what a fabulous place to visit and to take pics of. I just love that photo of you V – so gorgeous. I’m so pleased you are home and having lots of fun. Hugs

  • July 18, 2015
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    What an adorable day out! Happy birthday. Coincidences too – just finished writing a piece on star anise toxins for the food blog.
    Ps: v jealous of you going to Kew

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