It’s not really a fish bowl but it makes you feel you’re in one, looking over the rim out at the blue sky. It’s quite apt really seeing as this is the London Aquarium
Fish bowl
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Category Archives: Building
Greenhouse at dusk
This greenhouse is called Temperate House and can be found at Kew Gardens. It is currently being restored and is closed off to the public but I like how it sits in this image with the pagoda almost a silhouette in the distance. The most arresting part of the image, for me though, is the cloud filled sky which was captured just as the sun was beginning to set, making it feel as if they could almost let off a light all of their own
Kew Gardens – Autumn visit 4
One of the things I was most excited about seeing at Kew Gardens was the Xstrata Treetop Walkway that was constructed a few years ago. The idea behind the walkway was to enable people to walk among the tree tops to get a closer look at the best part of the trees; the branches and leaves which aren’t usually easily accessible. Walking toward the structure it seems to appear suddenly from amongst the trees.
To access the walkway you have to climb up a winding staircase with mesh sides, allowing you to see the view as you ascend. For those that can’t quite manage the stairs there’s also a lift that will take you to the top. The walkway is 59 feet high from where you get a great view
I was able to get really close to some of the branches but as it was Autumn some of the closer trees had already shed their leaves. I expect the walkway is even more enjoyable in Summer when leaves are aplenty
Another one of the other things I spotted almost immediatley as I entered the Gardens was this tall structure in the distance. I could tell straight away that it looked like a giant Pagoda like those found in Japan and wondered what it was doing in London!
It turns out that the Pagoda was completed by Sir William Chambers in 1762 and that there is also a section dedicated to a Japanese landscape, with plants and flowers typically found in the country as well as a structure called the Chokushi-Mon meaning Gateway of the Imperial Messenger
I thought the Japanese landscape was really nice and something different. I especially liked how tidy and organised it was (and if you look carefully you can see there is a circular pattern created in the pebbles)
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Kew Gardens, I saw some amazing plants, trees and flowers, some that don’t originate from England and learnt a lot whilst walking around, soaking in the fresh air and peace and quiet. I think the gardens are something really special and the thing I like most is that you could visit at various times over a twelve month period and there would always be something new or different to see. I really hope I will be able to go back later this year when the plants and flowers are in bloom and nature has something else to share.
I hope you have enjoyed my photos and there is still so much I didn’t see or haven’t posted about so please don’t think that I have covered even a fraction of what else can be found at Kew. I would definitely recommend a visit if you like being outdoors and are interested in all things green.
For more on Kew gardens please see my previous posts
Kew Gardens – Autumn Visit 1
Kew Gardens – Autumn Visit 2
Kew Gardens – Autumn Visit 3
Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle was once lived in by King Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon and is based in Kent. I really enjoyed my visit here a couple of years ago and what I really liked was that the castle actually looked like castle; it has an enormous, beautiful garden (including a maze and grotto) and is surrounded by a moat just like you’d imagine and like you see in the films. I wonder what it would feel like to live there…
National Gallery
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I visited the National Gallery not long ago for the first time and it’s one of those places I’ve walked passed many times but for some reason never thought to go inside. The National Gallery houses some of the world’s most famous paintings; Van Gogh, Leonardo de Vinci and Monet being my favourites among many others. I think it will be a place that I will definitely visit again, and seeing as you can’t take photographs inside it really makes you look at the artwork and take in the detail and history of them. For more information of what’s on see http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/
Magic walkway
This is the pathway that leads to St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall.
Those who know about it, know that when the tide goes out the walkway becomes clear for you to walk on and leads you to the small island that has a castle or ‘mount’. The Island has many stories about it’s history, some factual, some in folklore, the most famous being it was once home to King Arthur.
Once the tide begins to come in the pathway begins to disappear beneath the waves (which I found out half way down on my way back to the mainland with my shoes getting soaked)
Once the tide is completely in from afar it seems like the pathway never existed and was perhaps even magic!
I’d love to hear your experiences of St Michael’s Mount and if you saw the tides coming in or out
Curves
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I really like how this building on London’s Regent Street curves with the road, I especially like the illuminated stone of the building contrasting against the evening grey, cloudy sky.
Reading room
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This is at The British Museum which happens to be one of my favourite rooms in London beacuse it’s so big and airy and I have to go in there if I ever visit. This picture was taken on a grey day but I like how the lighting and mood can change in the room according to the weather
Tree and steeple
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This photo is of the church St Martin of the Fields near Trafalger Square. I like the contrast of the light and dark colours of the tree and building against one another and the great sense of height that you get. But best of all I think I like the bright blue sky as the backdrop.
Water under the bridge
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