A bit too blousy

6 February (Thursday)

The day started as well as forecast, maybe with a harder frost than I’d expected, and as we were on a mission (well, doing something at a definite time!) we were both up earlyish.

You see, Richard had booked a time slot for us to visit Kew Gardens’ Orchid Festival; a members’ timeslot of 10am, though Richard had read an advisement to ensure arrival ten minutes prior AT the Princess of Wales Conservatory, which itself is a decent walk from any of Kew’s public entrances.  Now, as per our usual routine we’d be parking Fenella at the Brentford Gate entrance which I was sure didn’t open before 10am; Richard, somewhat understandably, was positive there wouldn’t be advice to arrive early if it wasn’t required, so off we went… to find Brentford Gate didn’t open prior to 10am.  Anyway, ‘rules is rules’ and I’m all in favour of that, so after an ‘on time’ opening and a quick trot along pathways, at 10.08am we got to the PoWC where the Orchid Festival is held each year.

By the time we got to the festival’s entrance a shortish queue had already developed, which of course we joined at the end, about fifteen members back, thankfully soon moving our way along as the line was swiftly scanned in to the event one by one; though not before a requisite security bag check which itself seemed to be over before it had begun, which is a good thing in one way, though very much not in another!

Now, when it comes to orchids I'm a bit of a “pretty colours, and?” type of guy. I appreciate the colour and the beauty and the bottony, though they don't really do it for me.  I'm not quite sure why this is. For sure some I find a bit too blousy and show off, but of course that's what they do do and what many people love them for. Others, which I seem to like a little more, are much less “look at me” and far more subtle in their visual gifting.  However, seeing the happy faces of thronging people there's no doubt about it, the Orchid Festival is popular and a much anticipated and enjoyed event in Kew’s calendar, and my feelings on these colourful gems of petals and foliage from far flung continents are in the minority.

When we came out after about an hour of wandering the prescribed route, I noticed the queue was sizable and ever growing.  I wondered what they’d all make of it.  Most, I was sure, would love it.  For me?  To be honest I’d been more intrigued by the size of some leaves of other tropical plants housed in the same glasshouse, and the sheer spikiness of the myriad cacti rather than the orchids themselves.  Each to their own, which again is fine by me!

Now, when we went to Kew a few weeks back it was for the astounding Expressions in Blue exhibition of the work of Felicity Aylieff, monumentally large hand-crafted porcelain pieces which in some cases are twice my height or more.  The day was quiet and grey and damp, the preciousness of the finely shaped fired pottery bringing a veritable shine to our visit… and then of course the walking and ambling and watching and looking which all brought a calm, relaxing and restorative healing.  Today, it was somewhat different… everything seemed vibrant and pacey and moving with many people enjoying the various elements Kew Gardens always has to offer, and those regular and irregular events that are extras and the more precious for it… like the Orchid Festival.

So, leaving the growing queue well behind and wandering on our way it seemed the entire gardens was awash with visitors, them bustling about the paths and glasshouses in many groups of ones and twos and threes and fours and larger… a gaggle of school girls (is that the collective noun?) mobiles in hand completing their tasks sheets by taking photos of plants whose shape from this angle or that resembled letters of the alphabet; laughter from an Italian couple chattering away unaware as they stylishly walked tarmacadam paths as if on the runway of a Milan fashion show; a Japanese tourist TikTok’ing her way from the dragon encrusted pagoda to the snakelike Sackler crossing; and an elderly couple all bent around and swaddled in wool holding each other physically, emotionally and lovingly.  The entirety of the gardens felt alive and appreciated, and that can only be a good thing.  And of course, unless you're a member you have to pay not only the usual entrance fee to Kew Gardens itself but also for the Orchid Festival on top, so it's a good money earner too.  

Weather:  Gorgeous start to the day, sunny and blue sky.  Around 9°, feeling cooler when not in the sun.  The afternoon got a tad greyer.

Breakfast:  Bran Sticks, yogurt, oat milk, a few freeze-dried strawberries
Lunch:  Lidl Minestrone Soup, Rice Cakes (two leftover from our walk as a sandwich of yeast extract), Hummus, Carrot Batons
Supper:  Butterbean, Caramelised Red Onion & Carrot Stew, Baked Potato, Braised Red Cabbage (recipes will be another day…)