h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was up relatively early. Carpe Diem. Well, almost. Kew Gardens called, to capture the Autumnal Colours. Hopefully the inclement weather hadn't stripped the trees. An electric buggy had been booked for 12:00, but I was late, eventually arriving at the Main Gate, (now renamed Elizabeth Gate to commemorate Queen Elizabeth the Second's Diamond Jubilee. Seems a bit incongruous, with gilted VR monograms on the gates.) at 13:00. Once I arrived I had to run through the necessary check list, including being told to stay on the paths, then off to hunt the many hued trees. The ash and beech were not too bright, and many trees were still green. So much for 'The autumnal blaze of colour' due this year. So, where best to head? The lake. It has three islands, with swamp cypress on them. Although being cypresses, they turn a spectacular range of brown, orange and gold. I was not disappointed, but the wasn't perfect. Following the path, there were certain spots of good colour, however not all were suitable for photographing, due to the objective being too close, or the surroundings too cluttered. The three peacocks and two peahens were being very obliging, and attracted a lot of attention, but they weren't what I was looking for. The Sackler crossing also looked good, but it was getting very chill by now, and overcast, and hanging around for a good shot didn't seem a good idea so headed back. Now I had a problem. I'd run out of path, so had to tackle a grassy slope which drained the battery quite heavily. I did manage to reach the path, and the buggy appeared to be back to a reasonable charge. Continuing on and there was my favourite tree, Cotinus obovata or smoke tree. This is my most photographed tree. My portfolio can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/madfiddler/sets/72157631930581422/

It was probably at the best I've ever seen it. By now my feet were very , and walking was getting painful, so time to head back, stopping at the Victoria Gate, for a 'Pit Stop', however now the battery was running very low and there was still around 400m to cover. It may not sound far, but when the legs are chilled, and the feet not functioning, being stranded does not sound like fun, so it meant coaxing it back. At one point I got out intending to eek out the battery, but buggies are not easy to control one-handed, while walking with a stick and maintaining a walking speed. Eventually, around half an hour later, I'd managed to coax the buggy back to Main Gate. How I managed it, I don't know. I was ticked off for going off-road, even though I explained I'd stuck to the path, but was told that the rules meant the tarmac.
I didn't feel able to walk the 200m to the bus stop, so phoned for a taxi to take me the 500m home, for a £6:00 fee. Ouch!.
4 hours later, the feet had thawed and so I made supper and did a spot of ironing, entertained by the first of the Mad Max films, before retiring to my local for a few and downloading my photographs. Those taken on the dSLR were not too good. I now know that using a dSLR and wearing a cap at the same time do not produce good photographs. However the Canon Sureshot had served well.
All in all, a good if day.

Thank you MMF! Your reports of Kew are always welcome. I particularly love the photos of your favourite tree - I agree that it is truly magnificent, Take care friend.

Love Scorp