Orchids a Go Go

Last week was busy, but by the time Friday came I was ready for a break. I ended up at The Albany. This is a big pub at the top of Great Portland Street. That's if you regard Euston Road as the top.

The pub was fun as it was full of nice people, most of whom seemed to be friends of Slinx. Which I suppose you wouldn’t regard as odd being as it was drinks for her birthday.

How on earth do you accumulate so many friends? Well that's girls for you I suppose?

Us chaps make do with a small handful of long standing ones. In many cases these are from our younger years and even if you have moved apart or even don't actually like each other you still get close when you can. A bit like old pants I suppose? After all, us blokes don't like to throw things away, and we don't much like shopping either. Ahh I think I just worked out the friends thing. Friends and pants, these are constants that a well grounded man likes to keep until they are properly dead and beyond any use at all. Perhaps we should take a leaf from the female of the species and replace the worn out ones occasionally? Nah, that would be too complicated.

Anyway, as I was saying. I was in The Albany which was lively and very North Noho media-chicken in terms of clientele. It also had a downstairs after hours club type thing which we didn't venture into as we (or at least I on account of forgetting to eat) were lashed by 10 PM. As indeed was everyone else I think?

The only thing I will say is that the "Cor Guvna" Black cab driver that whisked me there informed me with many a nod through his rear view mirror that when he was a lad that it was a place of much notoriety. Indeed he said when he was a younger buck about town "There were strippers downstairs and it was well hokey, cos they didn't just strip!". He tapped his finger to his nose "all sorts went on, the nights we had you wouldn’t believe" He had a wistful look in his eye.

I did look around but I assume the girls must have retired by now?

Kew Gardens

On Sunday Slinx and I went to view the Orchid exhibition at Kew. The traffic was murder and as is the way of places the coffee shop was packed with very slow moving people and children. Whilst I was in a queue for a coffee and some water a small child on a tiny three wheeled tricycle kept rolling back and forth and attempting to run over my foot. Parental control isn't what it should be so I simply placed my foot on his wheel so he couldn't move. I looked very, very stern as he looked up at me wondering who had dared to stop him being so special that he could always do what he wants. He looked a little nervous. He should have. Seen and not heard, that's what I say.

Don't get me started ;)

The Orchids were wonderful, but then again the whole of Kew Gardens are wonderful. For a day out I recommend them to anyone. The Victorian built 'Palm House' is especially fabulous. Climb the wrought Iron staircase and hang about in the tree tops.

I'm going out to the theatre tomorrow, then I'm out on Thursday and then its Friday so don't expect an update till the weekend. Though you never know I may surprise you.

Oh yes I nearly forgot...

Odontoglossum Crocidipterum

I bought some of these as baby seedling Orchids in a flask at Kew. I've just potted them all up and they are now sitting all warm and cosy in a propagator. These are apparently from Venezuela though the label says a nursery in County Durham. I've never been to either of those places and I have no idea how they will turn out. I shall keep you posted. There are 6 (or possibly 7?) If you would like to name one please send me your suggestions and I will write a tag and send you school reports.

In other gardening news I cut the lawns today and installed some 'easy lay' edging. Gardening Time is here again. Hum a happy tune!


thegardener1969@msn.com