London - Mayfair and Christmas lights at Kew Gardens

We have had a great trip to the UK so far. After our excellent QANTAS flight yesterday, where we were able to get a good amount of sleep, we arrived in London on a beautiful sunny day. We checked in at our flat in Kew around 10am and then got the tube to Richmond which is one stop and walked around a bit. I think we outlasted jetlag

really well until the afternoon when both of us decided we needed some more sleep. However, we loved our short visit to Richmond! Kew Gardens is a delightful suburb and as it gets dark really early here in winter we enjoyed seeing all the Christmas lights around the shops and houses in Kew.

Today we got the tube to Piccadilly Circus and walked up Regent Street to a cafe, in Mayfair to see our friend Maddy. Great to catch up with dear Maddy, she is as warm and friendly as always. The shop windows, with all their Christmas decorations which we saw on the way to the café, were amazing. We found it was very quiet walking around the Mayfair area, and along Regent Street and Jermyn Street as the shops don’t open till after 10am. It was lovely to see Maddy, she is such a smiley and bubbly person and excited to see Anna and go to Ireland with her at New Year. Sadly, we could only catch up for an hour at a nice café called ‘The Service’. We exchanged Christmas gifts and said our goodbyes.

Then back on the tube to visit Kew Gardens, where we had lunch in the café and then a walk around to see our favourite places. I am obsessed with Kew Gardens! I admit it! I find the Marianne North Pavilion amazing. It was a rushed short visit as they were closing the glass houses early because they are setting up the Christmas lights here for tonight, but still all very pretty even in winter.

Mike and I did get to visit a botanical exhibition in the gallery and then a rushed visit to see the amazing Marianne North gallery. I bought a book about her in the gift shop. Can’t wait to read it. A brisk walk back to our flat past the lovely gardens…a short nap and then in the dark at 4.40pm we arrived back at Kew Gardens to see the Christmas light show. We watched the light and sound show over the pond towards the Palm House and then had a delicious dinner at the Botanical restaurant. Three courses, mulled wine followed by the a wander along Christmas light trail. It was all very beautiful and very dark too. I lost Mike along the trail and couldn’t find him. There was no reception on our phones so we did not enjoy it together. Finally found each other at the end. Tomorrow we see Sean and Michaela…so looking forward to that. It is cold but we have the right gear and are enjoying long walks.

The photos include the lights outside the Palm House at Kew Gardens with the Christmas music light show.