UK - Day 27...Last Day of Adventure

For our last full day in the UK, Bruce has scheduled us for a day at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He says we can easily spend an entire day here, and while others in the group grumble at the thought, Satara and I think it sounds perfect! If you want to know all about Kew Gardens, you can visit their website: http://www.kew.org/
They have the most incredible greenhouses, they call them glass houses, that date way back and maintain many different climates, so they are able to grow plants from all over the world. It's a good thing we've learned by now to dress in layers, so it's easy to adapt to the ever-changing climates.

The Palm House:
Outside, they've categorized the grounds around the glass house into plants for health, plants for food, and plants for clothing. It's a beautiful educational display!
Inside, the areas are divided up by region, and plants of the palm variety fill the entire space!
And, in the basement we get to swim with the plankton:
The Alpine House (and Princess of Wales Conservatory beyond):
Satara and I duck inside the uniquely-shaped Alpine House as the clouds open up for a massive downpour. Lucky for us, this also means the sun has disappeared behind the black clouds and we get to see the automatic sunshade sails operate as they collapse out of sight. Bruce has been here three times and still has not seen them in action!
The Princess of Wales Conservatory is a great place to explore. This glass house is divided into very distinct rooms with VERY different climates. I am constantly shedding/adding layers as we meander along the walkways from zone to zone.

Next door is the little Lily House where the most gigantic lily pads I have ever seen live. Bruce says they are strong enough that I could sit on one and not sink! Maybe he is pulling my leg, but I am still amazed by them...
The Temperate House:
This glass house is divided up into continents and features some pretty exotic plants from each one. The entire house is pretty much open to the outside air at this time of day/year, and the plants seem to love it!

Spiral staircases at either end of each continent allow us to go up and walk at the canopy level of these mature plants. It's very cool to have the different perspective!
Outside the glass houses, the grounds stretch on for acres and there is plenty more to see!
There are fun walkways both at ground level...
...and up at the treetops!
The "wildlife" here have attitudes...
...and the flowers are absolutely stunning!
Can you imagine living here in Kew Palace and have all of this in your backyard?!
But, Idaho is calling my name and tomorrow I will board the plane for home sweet home, taking my memories with me.