Uk Trip Report, Twenty-Four Hours 11, London: Kew Gardens, 5 & A Museum, National Gallery; Twenty-Four Hours 12: Trafalgar Square

DAY 11, MAY 8, 2013, KEW GARDENS(18°C-9°C)

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew:

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, unremarkably referred to every bit Kew Gardens, comprises 121 hectares of gardens as well as botanical glasshouses betwixt Richmond as well as Kew inwards Richmond upon Thames inwards southwest London,

Created inwards 1759, the gardens receive got the world's largest collection of living plants. The claim on the board is true... from phytology to biodiversity, torrid zone to tree tops comprehensive experience.

The arrangement employs 650 scientists as well as other staff. The living collections include 30,000 dissimilar kinds of plants.

Tulips here...

The Palm House:

This is The Palm House built betwixt 1844 as well as 1848, as well as was the commencement large-scale structural role of wrought iron. It is considered " the world's most of import surviving Victorian drinking glass as well as Fe structure." The structure's panes of drinking glass are all hand-blown.

Griffin belongings the royal coat of arms.

Griffin is a legendary creature amongst the body, tail, as well as dorsum legs of a lion; the caput as well as wings of an eagle; as well as an eagle's talons every bit its forepart feet. Because the king of beasts was traditionally considered the Rex of the beasts as well as the eagle the Rex of birds, the griffin was an particularly powerful as well as violet creature. The griffin was also idea of every bit Rex of all creatures. Griffins are known for guarding treasure as well as priceless possessions.

Inside the palmhouse.

A infinite frame of wrought Fe arches, held together past times horizontal tubular structures containing long prestressed cables, supports drinking glass panes which were originally tinted dark-green amongst copper oxide to trim the pregnant heating effect.

The 19m high key nave is surrounded past times a walkway at 9m height, allowing visitors a closer aspect upon the palm tree crowns.

Chilean firebush--saw it inwards the wild inwards Argentine Republic inwards December 2013.

Palms.

Down the spiral staircase inwards the palmhouse.

Aquarium:

Nice Aquarium here.

Barbel on a fish is a slender, whiskerlike tactile organ close the mouth. They trouble solid the gustation buds and are used to search for nutrient inwards murky water.

The Waterlily House:

This is the hottest as well as most humid of the houses at Kew as well as contains a large pond amongst varieties of H2O lily, surrounded past times a display of economically of import heat-loving plants. It closes during the wintertime months.

It was built to trouble solid the Victoria amazonica, the largest of the Nymphaeaceae menage unit of measurement of H2O lilies. This flora was originally transported to Kew inwards phials of create clean H2O as well as arrived inwards February, 1849, after several prior attempts to carry seeds as well as roots failed. Although diverse other members of the Nymphaeaceae menage unit of measurement grew well, the trouble solid did non suit the Victoria, because of a piteous ventilation system, as well as this specimen, was moved to a smaller house.

Pink tulips as well as bluish wallflowers.

Playground.

The temperate house:

The temperate trouble solid inwards the background--This greenhouse has twice the flooring expanse of the Palm House as well as is the world's largest surviving Victorian drinking glass structure. It contains plants as well as trees from all the temperate regions of the world. It was commissioned inwards 1859 . Covering 4880 foursquare metres, it rises to a elevation of nineteen metres. Intended to accommodate Kew's expanding collection of hardy as well as temperate plants, it took 40 years to construct, during which fourth dimension costs soared.

There is a viewing gallery inwards the key department from which visitors may aspect downwards on that business office of the collection.

They fifty-fifty receive got the tallest indoor plant, the chilean vino palm.

Date Palm

Cultivated for over 8000 years, the Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is said to receive got 800 dissimilar uses. Each tree tin arrive at over 50kg of fruit or ‘dates’ every year.

Dates receive got a high carbohydrate content, which becomes to a greater extent than concentrated every bit they are dried. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 favourite of the ancient Egyptians as well as Romans, they are all the same a staple nutrient inwards the desert regions of northern Africa as well as the Middle East.

Date Palm leaves are traditionally used inwards the Christian celebration of Palm Sunday: the sun earlier Easter. The 24-hour interval commemorates the spreading of palm leaves as well as habiliment inwards Jesus’ path every bit he entered Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion.

Huge lupines.

Bromeliads

Anthurium, pocket-sized bloom on a fleshy stem. The spadix is oftentimes elongated as well as the bloom forms a hood around the spadix.

We saw several anthuriums inwards Hawaii.

This gallery unopen inwards Aug 2013 for a 5 twelvemonth renovation ... thankfully nosotros visited inwards May as well as saw it.... they receive got a grant of xv 1000000 pounds as well as volition reopen inwards 2018.

Treetop walkway:

Treetop walkway opened inwards 2008. This walkway is eighteen metres (59 ft) high as well as 200 metres (660 ft) long as well as takes us into the tree canopy of a woodland glade.

We tin ascend as well as descend past times stairs as well as a elevator is available for the disabled. The flooring of the walkway is made from perforated metallic as well as flexes every bit it is walked upon. The entire construction sways inwards the wind.

Rhododendrons inwards total bloom

Serene atmosphere but frequent flights overhead spoiled the ambience.

The Great Pagoda:

In the South East corner of Kew Gardens stands the Great Pagoda, erected inwards 1762, from a pattern inwards imitation of the Chinese Ta.

The lowest of the x octagonal storeys is 49 feet (15 m) inwards diameter. From the base of operations to the highest signal is 163 feet (50 m).

Each storey finishes amongst a projecting roof, after the Chinese manner, originally covered amongst ceramic tiles as well as adorned amongst large dragons; a story is all the same propagated that they were made of gilded as well as were sold past times George IV to settle his debts. In fact the dragons were made of forest painted gold, as well as only rotted away amongst the ravages of time. The walls of the edifice are composed of brick. The staircase, 253 steps, is inwards the centre of the building. The Pagoda was unopen to earth for many years, but was reopened for the summertime months of 2006, straightaway permanently.

We enjoyed the grounds every bit entry within is forbidden.

Kew palace:

Kew Palace is the smallest of the British royal palaces. It was built past times a Dutch merchant inwards 1631. It was afterward purchased past times George III. The construction method is known every bit Flemish bond as well as involves laying the bricks amongst long as well as curt sides alternating. This as well as the gabled forepart give a Dutch appearance.

George III's residency of the Dutch House was originally intended to live brief, a temporary residence piece his novel castellated palace inwards the Gothic trend was built - at commencement the Royal Family resided at Richmond Lodge but every bit the menage unit of measurement became larger it became necessary to accept over other properties on Kew Green, which included the Dutch House.

George III's wife, Queen Charlotte died at the Dutch House on 17 Nov 1818. On ascending the throne inwards 1837 Queen Victoria gave most of Kew Gardens to the nation, retaining for her ain role entirely a pocket-sized summertime trouble solid i time belonging to Queen Charlotte. This is known every bit "Queen's Cottage" but Queen Victoria seldom visited it as well as to grade her Golden Jubilee inwards 1887 she presented this also to the country.

Wax bust of George III past times madame Tussoud.

The palace is really simple. There was piped drama echoing inwards the room.

Diamond studded pendant, bag watch, gilded button.

Dolls houses made past times schoolhouse kids

Topiary exterior the palace.

Had our tiffin on the lovely grounds.

Victoria as well as Albert Museum:

We went to Victoria as well as Albert museum next.

Prince Albert appears within the chief arch inwards a higher identify the twin entrances, Queen Victoria inwards a higher identify the frame around the arches as well as entrance,

the tower inwards a higher identify the chief entrance has an opened upward operate crown surmounted past times a statue of fame,

The Victoria as well as Albert Museum (often abbreviated every bit the V&A), London, is the world's largest museum of decorative arts as well as design, housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 1000000 objects. It was founded inwards 1852 as well as named after Queen Victoria as well as Prince Albert.

This expanse has move known every bit "Albertopolis" because of its association amongst Prince Albert, the Albert Memorial as well as the major cultural institutions amongst which he was associated including the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum as well as the Royal Albert Hall.

In 2000, an eleven metre high, blown drinking glass chandelier past times Dale Chihuly was installed every bit a focal signal inwards the rotunda at the V&A's chief entrance.

Medieval as well as Renaissance Galleries seen here...

The sculpture collection at the V&A is the most comprehensive belongings of post-classical European sculpture inwards the world. There are 22,000 objects inwards the collection that comprehend the menses from nigh 400 AD to 1914.

Cupids every bit Caryatids and marble, maternal affection. Both english sculptures, room 22

Moses

Stained glass.

The 3 Marys amongst Jesus: the Three Marys are the 3 whom the Gospel of John mentions every bit nowadays at the crucifixion of Jesus:

Mary (mother of Jesus);

His mother's co sis Mary, the married adult woman of Cleopas; Mary Magdalene.

Awesome mosaics.

Mosaic within a mosaic...

All uses of sculpture are represented, from tomb as well as memorial, to portrait, allegorical, religious, mythical, statues for gardens including fountains, every bit good every bit architectural decorations. Materials used include, marble, alabaster, stone, terracotta, forest (history of forest carving), ivory, gesso, plaster, bronze, Pb as well as ceramics.

The collection of Italian, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque as well as Neoclassical sculpture (both master copy as well as inwards cast form) is unequalled exterior of Italy.

We went to the JEWELLERY SECTION on the 3rd flooring as well as gaped at the pieces till the museum closed.

The jewellery collection, containing over 6000 items is i of the finest as well as most comprehensive collections of jewellery inwards the basis and includes works dating from Ancient Arab Republic of Egypt to the nowadays day, every bit good every bit jewellery designs on paper. The museum owns pieces past times renowned jewelers Cartier, Jean Schlumberger, Peter Carl Fabergé as well as Lalique.

Other items inwards the collection include diamond wearing clothing ornaments made for Catherine the Great, bracelet clasps i time belonging to Marie Antoinette, as well as the Beauharnais emerald necklace presented past times Napoleon to his adopted daughter Hortense de Beauharnais inwards 1806.

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/galleries/level-3/room-91-jewellery-gallery/

is the gallery nosotros saw.

National Gallery:

We rushed inwards to the national gallery next.

AWESOME FLOOR MOSAICS.

SIXTH SENSE--represented past times poet Edith Sitwell below.

Sitwell had angular features resembling Queen Elizabeth I (they also shared the same birthday) as well as stood half dozen feet (183 cm) tall, but oftentimes dressed inwards an odd mode amongst gowns of brocade or velvet amongst gilded turbans as well as a plethora of rings - her jewellery may live seen inwards the jewellery galleries of the Victoria as well as Albert Museum inwards London. Her odd appearance provoked critics almost every bit much every bit her verse, as well as throughout her life she was the bailiwick of to a greater extent than or less virulent personal attacks.

The commencement film that greets visitors to the National Gallery is non an Old Master, nor an Impressionist. Nor does it fifty-fifty hang on a wall. Set into the flooring of the commencement landing inwards the Gallery's Portico entrance is 'The Awakening of the Muses', a marble mosaic set inwards 1933 past times the Russian-born creative someone Boris Anrep (1885-1969).

Between 1928 as well as 1933, the National Gallery commissioned Anrep to lay 2 mosaic pavements inwards the lobby of the Main Hall to illustrate 'The Labours of Life' as well as 'The Pleasures of Life'. this is the 3rd as well as terminal project...

In 1952, aged 67, Anrep set this tertiary pavement, 'The Modern Virtues'. it lies underfoot inwards a busy world place.

In Humor, the socialite Lady Diana Cooper, dressed every bit Britannia, crowns a paunchy, grinning Mr Punch.

The philosopher Bertrand Russell every bit Lucidity, removes the finally remaining garment, a blindfold, from the immature adult woman representing Truth he's exactly pulled upward from a well.

Modern Virtues inwards the N lobby (1952) is a record of the intellectual life of 1930s as well as 1940s. Compromise is presented past times the American actress Loretta Young, wearing a Phrygian cap every bit good every bit a crown; Curiosity is Lord Rutherford amongst a splitting atom; Sir Winston Churchill defies a brute inwards a shape of swastika (Defiance). The ballerina Margot Fonteyn listens to the author as well as instrumentalist Hon. Edward Sackville-West playing the harpsichord (Delectation); Lady Diana Cooper every bit Britannia crowns Punch (Humour); the poet T. S. Eliot features inwards Leisure, The astronomer Fred Hoyle, Augustus John as well as the poet Edith Sitwell as well as are portrayed respectively inwards Pursuit, Wonder as well as Sixth Sense (named after the verse form past times Gumilyov). Compassion is a portrait of Akhmatova surrounded past times the horrors of war. She is looking towards some other panel which depicts Anrep's gravestone, linking together his fine art as well as her poetry.

We called it a 24-hour interval when the gallery closed.

The National Gallery was built betwixt 1834-1837 as well as is i of London's greatest fine art galleries, housing i of the most extensive as well as valuable collection of paintings inwards the basis including works past times Cézanne, Constable, El Greco, Degas, Gainsborough, Leonardo Da Vinci, Dürer, Manet, Murillo, Raphael, Rembrandt, Rossetti, Rubens, Titian, Velázquez etc.

Palace of Westminster here.

DAY 12, MAY 9, 2013:

Our cab from exclusive airports was due at the hotel at 10.20. We took the underground to trafalgar foursquare for a terminal aspect at 8.30!!

Trafalgar Square:

The foursquare is named inwards honour of Admiral Lord Nelson's victory over the combined Castilian as well as French navy off Cape Trafalgar on Oct 21st 1805.

The fountains were added inwards 1845, as well as the mermaids, dolphins as well as tritons (which are the manlike someone figures amongst tails similar fish) were installed later. The fountains operate on most days.

On the N side of the foursquare is the National Gallery seen here...and to its E St Martin-in-the-Fields Church. The statue seen is that of George IV as well as this is the chief entrance to the National Gallery inwards Trafalgar Square.

The foursquare was i time famous for its feral pigeons, as well as feeding them was a pop activity. Their droppings disfigured stonework, as well as the flock, estimated at its peak to live 35,000, was considered a wellness hazard. In Feb 2001, the sale of aeroplane seed inwards the foursquare was stopped as well as other measures introduced to discourage the pigeons, including the role of trained birds of prey.

Groups of supporters continued to feed the birds, but inwards 2003 the then-Mayor, Ken Livingstone, enacted bylaws to ban the feeding of pigeons.

Now at that spot are no pigeons...

Setup for a music concert going on. Could receive got climbed on to the lions if this phase setup paraphernalia had non unopen downwards the area.

Nelson’s Column:

Granite statue to honour Admiral Nelson (1758-1805), next his victory inwards the Battle of Trafalgar inwards 1805. It is v metres high as well as stands on a bronze platform made from one-time guns from the Woolwich Arsenal Foundry. The 160ft/55m high column was completed inwards 1843 as well as the bronze reliefs are cast from captured French cannons as well as exhibit scenes from the victorious battle over the enemy fleets. 'England expects every human being volition arrive at his duty', the words associated amongst Nelson's flagship HMS Victory are inscribed below.

The bronze 'guardian' lions at the base of operations of Nelson's Column arrived inwards 1868. The 4 lions are said to protect Nelson’s Column.

Statues

There are 4 plinths for statues inwards the square. Bronze statues stand upward on 3 of them: General Sir Charles James Napier is on the plinth inwards the southwest of the square, Major General Sir Henry Havelock on the southeast plinth as well as King George IV on the northeast plinth.

The 4th plinth, inwards the northwest of the square, was empty for many years. The electrical flow installation 'Nelson's Ship inwards a Bottle' MBE is past times Yinka Shonibare MBE as well as was unveiled inwards the foursquare inwards May 2010. The statue to General Charles James Napier (1782-1853) who was Commander-in-Chief inwards India. Its a compassion it isn't replaced past times a statue commemorating some other Napier, namely the Scottish mathematician John Napier (1550-1617), who was the inventor of logarithms which revolutionised mathematical calculation methods.

Here nosotros are at the Charing Cross underground station waiting for the ride back.

The electronic board says our prepare is due inwards 2 minutes...

Reached the hotel, called a cab, went to the aerodrome to wing home... terminate of an awesome opor-garai inwards England, as well as Scotland.

The adjacent postal service is the start of the study on our recent Canadian vacation:
http://www.kris-sapiutri.blogspot.com/search?q=how-to-plan-trip-to-canada