The plan for today is to get to the National Archives and to Kew Gardens if possible. Both targets are on the same Tube line/station. The weather forecast is bad but I will use the Tube to keep out of the rain as much as possible. The Gardens are open to the sky so I will get wet.
Early breakfast (I had bought some cereal) and a quick chat with a tourist who had visited the Gardens recently. I will check out the Bus 390 stop again on the way to the Notting Hill Gate Tube station.
Excellent day. The Tube was a bit expensive at 3.75 pounds each way, change trains at Earl's Court which was not a problem. I got to the Kew Gardens station and headed off to the National Archives first to carry out some genealogical research. Good result and out about 2.30 pm.
I then made my way to the Kew Gardens, Library and Archives. I introduced myself and asked to view any of Franz Bauer's illustrations/artwork. This was Ferdinand Lukus Bauer's brother who made his career at Kew Gardens, illustrating and painting botanical specimens. I wanted to compare the work of Franz, done in the stability of London, with that of his brother who travelled to New Holland on a leaky wooden square-rigger. Both were exceptionally good at capturing the detail and the subtle colouring of their specimens. I saw 10-12 coloured etchings/drawings by Franz. There was also at least one original painting/drawing by Franz that was comparable to the NHM plates that I had seen by Ferdinand. No photographs, because I had not organised a formal visit/permission but I had got the information I needed.
A remarkably talented pair. There was a portrait of Franz in the foyer as you came into the reference library so Franz was well respected.
Logistically, I got as wet as I thought I would but the transport connections worked well. I was back at Pembridge Hall by 4.30 pm, changed into dry clothes/shoes and eating Dinner by 6.00 pm. No Proms concert but I did need to shop for dinner and for tomorrows food as well. Only one day left in London.
An interesting note; the entry cost for Kew Gardens was going to be 15 pounds, before I asked to see the Library/Archive staff. As it was I could not have “walked” the gardens as it was raining heavily. I spent my time dry, looking through the archived artwork, which had no charge.
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