Several years ago we had an exchange student from Germany. Sven now lives in Shanghai, but we have remained in touch for the past 24 years. He advised us to visit a place outside London that we would never have thought to visit or found without a recommendation. It is the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. There must be a species of every plant from all over the world in the garden and its enclosed buildings.
Below are pictures from the giant tropical greenhouse containing hundreds of species of palms. The heat and humidity inside reminded us of why we left the Gulf Coast for the summer. I had a few flashbacks from Vietnam inside when I came across some specimens of giant bamboo.
There is a treetop walkway for an aerial view of the foliage. Elaine wanted a zip line!!
A bridge that looks solid but is actually slatted metal set at an angle.
It must be spring. A mother swan on her nest.
Below we arrive at Elaine’s Valhalla, Wimbledon. Actually, “The All England Lawn Tennis Club” where the membership is limited to 400 members (plus the honorary members who win the annual tournament). Not sure which club is harder to get a membership, Wimbledon or Augusta National Golf Club. The club in getting ready to host the tournament in 2 months. The grass on the courts is as nice and evenly cut as the greens at Augusta. The excuse for not allowing us to put our toes in the grass at center court or allow us to play a match there was that they were getting ready for the tournament! Yeah, right!
Court #1 below with Elaine sitting in the player’s box.
On Henman/Murray Hill where there is a large outdoor screen for those not able to get seats. By the way, tickets for the Wimbledon tournament will take your breath away. Plus, there is a lottery system just for the privilege of buying them! But there are daily tickets available for the outside courts #3-#18 if you stand on line starting at 7:00am.
“Ticket Resale.” The sun stays up late in England in June so matches are often still being played at 9:00pm. You can get in line and for $7.50 to purchase a ticket that has been turned in by someone who has left early. The money goes to charity and you might get a center court seat for a doubles or mixed-doubles match since they are less popular.
The plaque outside Court #18 where the longest march in history was played. In June, 2010 the match began on May 22 and finally ended on May 24. John Isner finally won the match 70-68 in the 4th set against Nicolas Mahut.
The winner’s press conference suite. I am asking Elaine how she hit that amazing shot to win the tournament and how it feels to be a Wimbledon Champion.
Views from the members private viewing area. The bridge is the members private entrance into the Centre Court Stadium.
Winners names enshrined forever. The club was begun in 1877.
The roof over Centre Court. There are now plans to put a roof over Court #2 also.
Elaine sitting the the Press seats.
The 1956 winner was a Miss S.J. Fry. Someone out of Elaine’s family tree perhaps? She was suitably impressed and thought that this was further proof that tennis is in her genes.
Views of the Wimbledon museum. Above, a ball that is “in” Hope some of my tennis friends at home take a good look at this ball that is clearly a winning shot and not “out!” Below are photos from the Wimbledon museum.
Last, but not least, a picture of our 2 for 1 pub dinner in the village of Wimbledon before catching the train back to London. Drinks and 2 meals for $20.00. Nice considering the prices in London.
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