And then the heat descended. Which to normal people would mean time for air-conditioned museums or pools or cheese cave tours. But we already had a few reservations, things we had purchased tickets for way in advance knowing they were must-dos for us. So we soldiered on, stocking the fridge with cups of water and tea for our hot evening returns, resigning ourselves to paying 3 pounds for a scoop of ice cream (London is expensive!), and pouring pitchers of cold water over ourselves spread out on the cold tub porcelain.
For our 14th anniversary, Bill and I wanted to go to Kew, the Royal Botanical gardens. We figured there would be shady breezy walkways and carefully climate-controlled glass houses and fountains delicately misting us. Well, what we got was some sprinklers, at least.
And it was beautiful and interesting and educational and inspiring. And very hot. Guess what: the tropics (whose plants are contained in those beautiful glass houses) are actually really really hot places.
And we were introduced to a fascinating historical figure, Marianne North. In the mid-1800s, she traveled the globe alone for 15 years, painting plants in their natural settings. She created hundreds of canvases, all wonderfully detailed live stills (ask Bill the difference between those and still lifes), some of which documented heretofore unknown species. Then she built a house in Kew Gardens and mounted her works from floor to ceiling, side to side, on every wall. Bill has a new hero.
Next up, the London Eye. We were a little nervous this would be like standing in another small greenhouse with a bunch of strangers for half an hour. But the pods are air conditioned(!), and somehow we lucked out by having less than ten other people in with us. For such a touristy attraction (which you know we generally avoid), it was pretty awesome! We spied all sorts of places we had already visited, and scouted out the way to a splash pad too!
Then the highlight of the hot days: a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Globe! It was colorful, light-hearted, and fancifully staged, with audience participation! None of us were picked, but there was piñata smashing for a couple lucky kiddos, a stage role for a random groundling (in Pyramus and Thisbe), and lots of squirt gun action, finger-pointing, and water-bottle filching. Plus, we stayed behind afterward and met much of the cast, including Queen Titania, whose costume Maggie sketched during the performance. An amazing inaugural Shakespeare experience for the girls!
When got home that night, there was a big windy thunderstorm, the heat broke, and the city was washed clean. Now we only have a few days left. Time to wait out our time while also resolving to make the most of it! Part III coming up!
Magrilless 
Fred Adams was thrilled to hear that someone he had introduced to Shakespeare was now introducing her own children in such a wonderful way. 😁
Gretchy… when I read these posts I feel as if I’m there too. See you soon