Moms 65th Birthday

Last week was Mom's 65th birthday. On her actual birthday day, dad took her out for lunch. She didn't want a party so we took her for a meal on the Saturday night instead and I went home for the weekend. 

Cheers.

She did not expect the cake but definitely liked it. Dad ordered it but didn't realise quite how big it was. The people at Mom's work are going to really enjoy some. For the next week!

Walking greyhounds

While they were here, Mom wanted to go and walk the greyhounds. It is something she wants to do when she retires later in the year so wanted to test it out. Needless to say they both loved it (I don't think she will be going on her own). 

Mom with Lady.

Dad with Sean

Dad loved Sean. Sean is a leaner. When he wants to show love, or reassurance, or just wants a cuddle, he will just stop and lean on you. And he does like his cuddles.

Try to go for a jog.

They had a nice time, followed by lunch at the garden centre next door. Again it was another lazy evening and the Monday was just a walk around bushy park. I loved having them visit and am looking forward to our holiday soon.

Orchid Festival 2019

A few weeks ago, Mom and Dad came to stay for a long weekend. (It's taken a while to get through the photos and updating the blog.) 

On the Friday we went to the Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens. (I think this was the main reason Mom wanted to come visit. It had little to do with me!) We missed it last year thanks to the snow and colds everywhere.  And going on a Friday was much better and a lot less crowded.

Panther.

Mom really enjoyed, which was expected. The greenhouse was very impressive.

Happy mom.

This year they partnered the orchids with bromeliads (Mom told me about them - my gardening skills are minimal). I loved these little flowers. They are so weird and different.

Purple bromeliad.

and a red one.

At the main display, we found some really weird plants. We have no idea if they are flowers, or leaves. But I want one.

Green ... flower?

They usually focus on a few areas and do up a big display. I loved this years sloth.

So cute.

Orchid birds.

Atzec gold

Funky little flower.

Origami butterflies.

The squirting dolphin gave a few people a scare and amuse quite a few kids (including myself).

Squirting dolphin.

After throughly exploring the orchid greenhouse, we had a wonder around the garden. There wasn't much to see as spring is still on its way but it was a nice walk. The Palm house was open though I was really disappointed to see they have closed the aquarium in the basement. I really liked that place.

Green man.

Around the top of the Palm house.

I was also really excited to see the tropical house is now open (it's been shut for refurbishment for the past 3 years at least). It will take some time for it to become really established but it was worth the walk.

The new Tropical house.

We had a really chilled out night and the next day, just going for lunch in Kingston and walk along the river.

Birthday 2019

On our last night in Reston, we found a wine bar which did a half price bottle of wine happy hour. We had planned to go for tapas afterwards but never made it out of the bar. We managed to get a $55 bottle of wine, half price. It was well worth it. 

On the Thursday we flew back to the UK. It was my birthday that day and not the worst birthday I have ever had. The seats weren't as good as on the way out but the plane was practically empty with only 40 onboard so we all had a row to ourselves. Even Demi's new little friend, Slouthicorn, had his own seat.

However this was officially my worst birthday meal. The breakfast was edible (not great but I could eat it). But the afternoon meal was disgusting. I got a pot of half cooked dry rice, with a sliver of tomato. It was inedible. Thankfully I had a glass of wine at least. 

My birthday meal. :(

I had brought myself a 'birthday cake' protein bar. I had a little bit but it was so sweet. But at least I got to spend my birthday watching movies and got the Friday off work as a day in leui to recover. So not a bad deal overall.

My 'birthday cake'.

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

When we got to the Reston office on the Monday morning, there was no one there we were supposed to meet. Luckily a random person in the office took pity on us and let us in and took us for lunch (there are very few places to eat without driving). 

So we left early and when to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy centre, near Dulles airport, which is another part of the Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian. And it was worth it. The place is huge and full of planes etc. And they have a real shuttle, the Discovery. (I had a complete geek out.)

Shuttle!

So many planes. 

It was difficult to believe that some of the planes and helicopters actually flew. They seemed a little flimsy.

Tiny.

But the best bit was the shuttle. We saw it fro many different angles working our way through until we got the space part.

Bud stunt place.

They seem have forgotten the tail

I think you put the plane on

tiny helicopter.

A flying military platform (it wasn't very successful).

Helicopter - well, blades and a seat.

Plane to you detect and use as a car. I want one.

Literally called Tiny.

Balloon capsule

Demi's favourite - The black bird. 

Blackbird, the stealth plane

Plane used to defend atPearl Harbour

Cute.

One of the galleries is devoted to space with the shuttle (yes I took more photos) and other space bits.

Discovery

Apollo 11 mock-up

Rocket.

Quarantine module for the astronauts after returning from the moon

Our last stop, before the gift shop, was to go up the tower and get a view of the airport. Which was fine, but we have a closer better view from out office windows at Heathrow.

That night, we went out to an amazing restaurant for dinner. It was mainly a winery so all the meals were created to pair perfectly with a wine. It was good and we had more than enough to take home left overs for the next night.