So if you have been following my adventures In London you will know that I had a lovely hotel booked (read here) and then spent a great evening with lovely friends having cocktails at Fontaines (read here)

Fontaines for Cocktails

After a night of cocktails I woke up surprisingly refreshed and started getting ready for my day out at Kew. Of course this meant that I had to pack my suitcase and check out – Bad times!

I started off with a lovely cup of Earl Grey before jumping in the Monsoon shower and then packed my suitcase, leaving out everything I would need for the day.

I had decided to wear my Pin Up Girl Clothing Lauren blouse and cherry skirt as it complimented my new to me vintage straw hat.

Outfit of the Day

Getting ready, I put the finishing touches to my make up and departed the gorgeous room I was in, to sadly check out.

Leaving my suitcase at the hotel for the remainder of the day, I hopped on the tube to get myself to Kew Gardens where everyone else was meeting. Once I got to Richmond station I had to get on a bus to the gate where Rhina would be meeting me.

Bussing it

Unfortunately due to an accident, I was running a bit late, so everyone had pretty much arrived by the time I got there including my blogging bestie, Boo.

It was such a sight to behold! Vintage dresses, handbags and hats galore. Picnic baskets, gloves and brooches that I drooled over. We really made an eyecatching bunch.

Blogger Bestie, Boo

Heading over to some of the floral displays, my eyes were drawn to the little orchids dotted about. Every shade and variety you could name, nestled among more familiar plants. Rhina gave us the guided tour as snapped picture after picture.

Floral fabulousness

Orchids on display

Spring Blooms

Lilies, Orchids and More

We then moved onto a huge structure called The Hive. This is a giant metal fabrication built of over 170,000 pieces. It resembles the inside of a hive and is interactive. It is actually connected to a real bee hive based within Kew and there are activities you can try out.

The Hive

There are these little poles that have holes in them. If you put a wooden stick into the hole, hold the other end in your teeth and block your ears up, you can actually hear bees buzzing. The poles even tell you what different kinds of buzzes mean and it literally is fascinating!

Hypnotising

The Hive is over 17 metres high, and you can walk up higher into the structure, but being a scaredy cat means I had no intention of doing that. I stayed on the lower ground area and had a good wander around the stunning magnolia trees that were all out in bloom. Queue lots of outfit pictures!

Springtime is here!

Magnolia Blossoms

We eventually left the area and headed for a large grassy area in front of the Orangery where you could get drinks, hot and cold foot and use the facilities.

This was is. Picnic Time!

Picnic Time

Thankfully Boo had been able to organise this with a trip to M&S and we sat nibbling on all sorts of goodies. The baked item of the day had to go to Chereeka’s husband, Nick who as well as being the official photographer, had made some wonderful flapjacks. Simply fabulous.

The ladies assemble

By the time we had sated ourselves with food time was ticking on a little so Rhina directed us towards the Palm House which is situated inside the World’s most important surviving Victorian glass and iron structure. An absolutely stunning glass structure that was filled with every kind of tropical palm and tree you could want.

The Palm House

Before entering the Palm House we all got together for a few group photographs; serious and silly! All perfectly taken by the adopted group photographer (and husband to the lovely Chereeka) Nick.

Cheese!

Lovely Ladies

Showing a bit of leg

Strong women

We eventually went into the Palm House and I have to say it was tropical inside. The heat was almost oppressive and being pre-menopausal and being prone to middle aged lady hot flushes I managed to last around five minutes and a couple of quick pictures before I had to get out or dissolve into a puddle.

Posing in the Palm House

Thankfully outside was a lot cooler and the scenery over the pond was simply beautiful.

I actually wished I could have withstood the heat inside as I know there is so much more in there to see, and it truly does fascinate me. However as it was a relatively hot day, with the temperature in there I just wasn’t able to explore like I would have wanted to. Next time, maybe?

Photobomb of the Day

We rounded off our trip with a visit to the gift shop where I managed to purchase a rather nifty bottle of Gin made with botanicals from Kew itself, which I though was rather cool.

All too soon it was time to say goodbye as I needed to get back to the hotel, fetch my suitcase and meet up with Little Chick who was coming home for Mothering Sunday.

Meeting up with Little Chick

It was a lovely Vintage meet-up and I hope we can all do it again soon.

I need to say a few Thanks. To Chereeka of Papow & Flo who graciously allowed me to steal quite a few of these photo’s from her blog; Please go and check her out as she many more wonderful images of the day!

The lovely Chereeka and Nick

Also to Nick at darktechsupport  (her lovely husband) for taking all these wonderful images.

And finally to Rhina, Leanda and Amelia for organising the Meet up.

Kew in the Summer, anyone?

Till next time

Tx