Coach Trip 2016

The first coach trip of the year was to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, on St George's Day, 23 April 2016. Apart from a sharp shower soon after we arrived it was a dry day with a cold chill in the air, even with the sun shining. Several of us made good use of the Kew Explorer land train to see more of the 326 acres than we could on foot, and also to use it as a shelter from the wind. The bluebells were still in flower and there were some waves of narcissus. The formal beds had very striking displays of tulips, two colours and two heights, amongst a carpet of primulas. I was pleased to see the magnolias were still hanging onto their blooms.
 
I explored the two art galleries during the shower, Shirley Sherwood and Marianne North. I will be returning to both on another visit - well worth seeing the botanical art. The White Peaks shop for the children's gifts helped me with a birthday present I needed for a two year old - a book on the garden, with moving parts.
 
The day whizzed by and on the coach home we started talking about where we should go next...all suggestions welcome please."