First Thing,

as it was Diana's day off, 

we were out, to Kew Gardens, for the annual orchid festival, at this time of the year a country is asked to put on a show of their orchids, this year it was the turn of China, the show runs from 7 February to 8 March 2026, starting at 11am and is in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, entry to the orchid exhibition is included with the entry ticket to the Gardens, but, and this is important, you must book a time slot to be admitted to orchids,

a quick pose as we entered the greenhouse, 

then it was orchids galore! 

many hanging, 

as well as in pots, 

it was also time to try out my new camera with its 100 - 200mm telephoto zoom lens,

in the main area, 

there was of course a Chinese dragon,

surrounded by huge bowls of orchids, 

many with new colour varieties, 

a quick pose, 

and the man of the hour, Henck Röling, he was responsible for much of the display, and very resplendent he looked too in his kilt, he is what could be described as a Master Florists, if you visit the Ritz, Southerby’s, and Fortnum and Mason, to name a few you will have seen his weekly floral displays, also Henck’s work here at Kew Gardens’ Orchid Festivals, where Henck has created a fabulous series of floral installations over the past eight years, it is the first time we have actually seen him,

I had to take a few of Diana,

as we made our way, 

through the display, 

another quick pose, 

bowls of orchids everywhere,

 

these a little more unusual,

than the 'normal' orchids we are used to,

like these, 

not forgetting the hanging baskets, 

they all looked so nice,

near the end of the display, 

Chinese lanterns, 

and one of me of course with the new camera, 

one more of Diana,

well I just had to!

as we bimbled towards the exit, there were some orchids displayed in smaller vases

a last display, 

as we caught up with Henck,

outside Diana with the dogwood, that was still in its winter colours, 

daffodils now everywhere, 

a last look at the bassire and we were off out on our way home, the next few weeks for myself will be great fun, as I have hundreds of photographs to play with, all of the ones above from my camera or Diana's telephone I have not played with, next week the fun begins! in the evening we were out, as Diana is working tomorrow evening, Valentines evening, 

we decided to have our Valentines meal here at the Kathmandu Masala tonight, 

we did not have a starter, but went with the papadums and condiments, 

'Cheers with a sherry, 

Diana decided on a mango lassi, 

a bottle of red for myself, 

as usual we over ordered, so a Indian for me tomorrow evening from the doggy bag! we went with three main dishes, chicken, lamb and prawn, along with aloo gobi, peas, mushroom rice, and garlic nam bread, the total was £80.00 including service charge, out into the cold night air we caught the number 54 bus back home where it was feet up with a coffee and a spiced rum as we watched a Poirot before we were off to bed.