Grandma's England Journal - Day Ten

4/9/92:

Up about 7 a.m. Eily had left us a note, "Hurrah, Major's won 17 seats." Had coffee, a delicious bread, marmalade and a banana. We took the Green Line of the Tube to Kew Gardens. Walked through the eastern quarter. The Queen's conservatory of palms, past a pool, flower beds, shrubs and specimen trees similar to an arboretum. Toured the tropical conservatory with a desert room, a water garden with lilies and other water plants, an orchid room and then outside because our glasses were steamed up, couldn't read the plants' names and with our jackets, we were sweltering in there. Outside, tho it was full sun, the wind had a chill nip in it. We went throught Queen Charlotte's Palace. Great collection of paintings. The rooms were fully furnished with cards giving particulars of furnishings, pictures and memorabilia of the Royal Family.

Foot weary, we headed out of the gardens and stopped for lunch at an outdoor cafe, we had passed in the village of Kew Gardens. Had quiche/broccoli and cheese and mushrooms with a side salad of zucchini, mushrooms, onion and celery. Phyl had the quiche with tossed salad and tea. The tray was loaded so the proprietor carried the tray out to our table for me. We sat in the sun and watched people as we enjoyed our meal. Phyl took a picture of me at my first outdoor cafe. We left there for the tube and went to Kensington Gardens, the palace residence of Chas. & Diana. People were walking their dogs, children running about, a game of soccer being played, people on benches reading, lying napping on the lawn and down to the edge of a small lake. We walked a good half mile from there along the Serpentine to the Peter Pan statue. By then we were both in need of 'facilities." Unfortunately for us the only ones we had seen had been near the Queen's sunken rose garden, the sign said "OUT OF ORDER".

We were far from our point of entry, reached the Prince Albert Museum, "Closed for Repairs". Reaching a main thoroughfare, we were thoroughly confused as to go left or right. No street signs. Then I spotted a sign across the highway, "Bar & Cafe". We descended to a nice airy restaurant with RESTROOMS: it was called the Serpentine. After blessed relief, Phyl asked the bartender if he could make a manhattan, he said "What's in it?". She told him if he didn't know, she guessed we'd have a gin & tonic. Made with ICE, refreshing. We rested our feet for about 20 minutes and then started out again. We walked and WALKED! Kensington Gardens on one side and on the side we were walking, a small sign by track that was obviously for horse back, said HYDE PARK. A cross street, but no street sign. Meeting a couple passing in the direction we had come, we inquired what street we were on - they couldn't help, they said they were tourists too, from Sweden. Next we met an elderly gentleman and I asked him which way to the tube. He said it was about 1/2 mile straight ahead then turn right at the intersection and the sign for the tube would be visible, IT WAS. Hyde Park Station where we took the tube to Notting Hill, then the bus to Holland Park Gardens. We arrived about 7 p.m. Had a glass of sherry, recounted our adventures and misadventures. She had a dinner of pea soup (made with kidney beans) too spicy and SALTY, I passed. Phyl bravely ate two small bowls; chicken cacciatore, okra, and potato. She really cooks very well, the chicken was delicious but she sure likes her spices and salt.

Good talk. Eily has traveled extensively and is full of anectodes and stories of people and places. This was Election Day for England and the possibility that the Labour Party candidate could possibly defeat the Conservative Party and Mr. Major was almost unthinkable to her. We were leaving the next morning to return to Doug's so she told us to be sure to wake her before we left as she planned to stay up for the returns, 1 a.m. or later. We would have to wake her in any case for her to unlock for us to leave. Got to bed by 11 p.m. Tired but what an interesting day. Every time we puzzled over our map, or which tube, bus or direction, people offered help or were very polite as they gave directions. London is a very interesting place but the countryside and slower pace of Ramsey will be welcome.