Today we ticked off one of the less exotic items on my "places we must see" list; as the weather was so gorgeous, we decided to walk along the Thames Path - a route that has tempted me every time we've visited any of Syon, Ham, Kew or Hampton Court. As we've been to both Kew and Hampton recently, it was in the forefront of my mind, so we went.

We parked on Ferry Lane at Kew and headed off upstream at a leisurely pace, with the river to our right and Kew Gardens on our left. We caught lovely glimpses of azaleas and bluebells in the gardens and the views across the river were pleasant too.

Here we looked across to Isleworth - you wouldn't think it was deep in the city of London, would you? After Kew Gardens came the Old Deer Park, edged with trees and a sluggish stream which Ed thought might have been the old river edge, before a new embankment was constructed. Here we saw mallards and moorhens and a couple of herons stalking about in the dappled shade.

The walk was fairly popular - a constant stream of cyclists and joggers passed us in both directions, whilst we could see others walking. When we neared Richmond it was positively thronged with picnickers and families and groups sprawled on the lawns and terraces; people waiting for boat trips and icecreams; and dozens of casual strollers down from the town to enjoy the sunshine. We had thought to eat here, but decided not to brave the heaving bars and cafes on the river front and to press on to Ham, pausing only for a drink of water en route.

Nearly at Ham - Marble Hill House, built in the 1720's for a mistress of George II Henrietta Howard, looks like a dolls' house from across the river. There is a chain ferry there to take you across if you wish - we've done that before, but today continued the short distance to Ham House.

It was our lucky day. When we arrived it was to find they were celebrating their 60th anniversary of National Trust ownership by having a free open day, which as our membership lapsed last year saved us £18 in entrance fees. We haven't visited for a few years and really enjoyed seeing it again - with the added treat that today was an "open cabinets" day, with all the ornate inlaid curiosity cabinets opened to reveal the drawers and woodwork within.

I couldn't resist this beautiful wisteria growing on the tea room wall. We ate our sandwiches and cake sitting on the grass and admiring it.

The return walk was just as interesting - things look different from the opposite angle, don't they? - and didn't take quite so long as Ed didn't need to keep referring to his map to see what he was looking at! We reached the car four and a half hours after setting off; the walk was about a 9 mile round trip.

I have been developing a theory about places we visit. I think they fall into two categories "Fat peoples' places" and "Thin peoples' places." Clearly, places that incorporate excerise as one of the primary reasons for going are thin peoples' places, and this fell into that category. Interestingly, I'm now evolving a further theory - that thin peoples' places have less litter than fat peoples' places. Even though there were probably hundreds of folks out and about on the Thames Path today, many of whom were enjoyng picnics and snacks en route, we saw remarkably little litter to spoil the beauty of our surroundings. Whereas when we went to Blackpool...

We went to find the bluebells in Banstead Woods today and sure enough, there they were. A couple of weeks earlier in development than last year's photos - neither the blue of the flowers or the green of the trees is quite so full yet - but still lovely. Look how far the blue mist covers.

I loved the vivid sappy green of these new leaves against the blue. I took several shots, of which this came out the best.

I was fascinated by these coppiced trees - I wonder how long ago they were done and if anyone manages the woods in the same way nowadays?

Not my last photo, of course - I got a bit carried away, as usual - but don't want to bore you! Again I was trying to get the contrast of colours. I love the trees when the green is just a delicate lace with the architecture of the branches still clearly showing.

In the Nursery, the children have shown a lot of interest in animals, so I took Sid in to meet them today. She found it very alien at first and spent a long time before the children came in rubbing her scent about a bit and hiding in corners, but she gradually relaxed.

This picture was taken by Keely. Sid and her adoring fans!

The children loved her - even the rough impetuous ones treated her gently. No-one tried to pick her up and although they didn't give her much breathing space, they listened about stroking her in the right direction and not poking.

Even so, she had to be rescued for a rest midday, before going through it all again with the afternoon children! They all hoped she will be there again tomorrow. Sid hopes not. Can you spot her on this one?

Apparently Vera Baird, the Solicitor General says the Government are finally looking to changing this Act, which is the one that insists on male primogeniture for inheriting the Monarchy.

About time too, I say. When women are supposed to be equal, and her present Majesty has done such a fine job for the last 50 years or so, what is the point in making girls step aside for a younger brother?

And of course by doing it now, before Prince William gets married and has children, is the ideal time. Prince Charles is the Queen's eldest child and he has only two boys to succeed him - so there is nobody whose nose might be put out of joint by the change.

They are also looking to change the rule that says anyone wanting to be in line of succession can't be, or marry, a Roman Catholic. Do it, and let's finally get on with disestablishment of the church and state while we're about it, which has been rumbling about since Victorian times. (Every schoolboy should know that the longest word in the English language is antidisestablishmentarianism!)

We went to the Royal Academy to see the "From Russia" exhibition, which Ed booked for us a couple of months ago. Even today, the queue went right round the quad in front of the Academy for people waiting for day tickets, so we're pleased we booked and could walk straight in. It was worth the wait - wow! French and Russian pictures from 1870 - 1925, including Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Picasso, Matisse, Kandinsky, Chagall, etc, etc. What a treat.
As usual, not all my favourites were featured either as postcards or online, but here are some we all liked:

I love Renoir's dappled light pictures.

This was the signature painting for the exhibition, featuring on the posters etc. I have to say Matisse isn't my favourite artist and this might nor be my favourite Matisse even, but it certainly hits you in the eye as you enter the room!

This is by Philipp Malyavin, Dancing Peasant Woman, 1913. I've never heard of him before, but this was another picture that jumped off the wall. This size does it no favours - it's much best viewed in large, from a slight distance, to appreciate the floral dress and the monvement. Wonderful - Ed and I both admired it.

Ed particularly liked this Chagall, although I preferred his Red Jew. I really liked the Cubist section too, but none of those were pictured at the website, so I can't show you those!

Kris asked me to look out a few family wedding photos. Her idea is that when she and Rick get married in July, they will place a group of framed photos of other family weddings on the grand piano in the Reception Hall.

So here are some of them:

Me and Ed - Rick's parents.

Rick's grandparents, Gerry and Joyce.

My grandparents, Charles and Elsie. - Rick's gt grandparents.

Elsie's grandparents - Rick's 3x gt grandparents - Eliza and William.

On Saturday a busload of staff from school went to Sonia and Oli's wedding party. This is Sonia saying Hello to us. Apparently they'd had a wonderful day in spite of iffy weather.
She looked really lovely in her very pretty draped satin frock, which really suited her figure and personality. It was sprinkled generously around the neckline and the hem of the train with diamante, which she complemented with diamante jewellery.
She had agonised over her hair, in the face of a hairdresser who'd wanted to give her a big "do" and in my opinion opted sensibly for a sligtly backcombed version of her usual style (when not pinned back in a ponytail at work) and so avoided the terrible hair gaffes that so many brides make.
Unfortunately most of her bridesmaids were little and had gone to bed by the time we arrived, so we didn't see them. Pink to match her roses, apparently.

I too agonised over what to wear, although it hardly mattered in the scheme of things! I decided I couldn't wear one of the several smart outfits I've displayed at work events before, so had rushed out to buy a new top. It's not my usual style, being quite low cut and revealing my total lack of cleavage - not to say my xylophone chest! - but the thing I like least about it is that the waist is cut too high.
But I'd tried on a number of things and truly could find nothing that wasn't mutton dressed as lamb/too smart/too casual or plain looked dreadful on me. As Ed remarked, everything this season is designed for the short and stout person...
I'm with my good friends and colleagues Liz and Irene, from the Nursery, flanked by other friends from Reception.

Last night we went out with Hans, Shelley and Ben, to wish Ben Happy Birthday (on Sunday); Hans Welcome Home (from walking the Great Wall of China!); Rick & Kris Bon Voyage (and Pleased to meet you, in the case of Kris), and cheer up Shelley, who has suffered a bereavement recently. Here are the Boys.

And here are the Girls. We were tucking in to a delicious meal at "The Emperor" Chinese Restaurant in Hersham/Molesey. We had the "Eat all you like" menu and did - we were stuffed by the end of the long and sociable evening. Spot the change of necklace!

Woke up rather belatedly this morning to find a carpet of snow outside and thick flakes still falling.

This is the view from the back door. By 9am the snowflakes were already turned to sleet, so I took a few pictures while the going was good.

Now - 3.45pm-ish - the snow has almost melted away, but the sky is heavy, so we may see more yet...

Update 5.30pm - the return of Spring!