Hampton Court and Tim Minchin

I had long organised a trip down the Thames to Hampton Court with a friend of mine and her son, with a picnic lunch on the boat (since the trip is about 4 hours long). In my mind of course this was going to be a warm hazy summer day. It wasn't. To be fair it only chucked it down once requiring us to abandon our seats on the top deck.

This is actually one of my favourite London journeys as it offers a different perspective on our city. It starts from Westminster, so one comes out of Westminster Underground station, which always reminds me of the set from some science fiction dystopia.

A little time on the Embankment, facing the London Eye, waiting for my friends.

Then the long journey sailing slowly through West London - Battersea, Lambeth, Barnes, Chiswick, Richmond et al.

Hampton Court is large with lots of lots to entertain, from the wonderful Tudor sections

to the Classically inspired extension of William III.

You can see the kitchens which are vast.

Gave Tamsin the opportunity to give young Tom a lesson in herb identification. Never know when that may come in handy.

Outside the grounds are amazing. Famously, there is the Hampton Court maze, which we completed in a reasonable time. Tamsin looking just a little too proud of the achievement in this photo. Not quite Everest.

I love the outsize topiary which offers a slight Alice in Wonderland feel. And there are plenty of flower gardens. Heaven knows how many gardeners they must employ, or indeed when they come out to do the weeding. At night?

After an early supper at a somewhat trendy bar/restaurant I went back into Central London to see Tim Minchin, the Australian comedian/singer at Somerset House. Tim is very funny, and very likable. Sometimes a little self-indulgent, but his comic songs nicely bridge political correctness and, well, political incorrectness.

Unfortunately, the rain could hold off no more, and a few showers had to be endured. A very grey end to the day. But it did let me take one photo from Waterloo Bridge which I have to say I am rather proud of. Almost monochrome thanks to the brooding clouds at twilight, with just the odd colour highlight. One of my best images of London.