Picnic by the Palm House at Kew Gardens

A few years ago, before I’d thought much about starting my own family, I remember wandering around Kew Gardens and noticing that almost everyone seemed to be pregnant or have kids. Sadly they don’t hand out free entry with child benefit but if seemed only appropriate that I should revisit with Minnie.

Some friends of ours are ‘friends’ of Kew which entitles them to free guest passes – although the system is about to change so only immediate family can use them. Before that happens, they invited us along to make the most of it.

On the only sunny day of the bank holiday weekend, Minnie and I, plus my ever willing driving husband met them, armed with picnic rug – and they brought the provisions. I’d already warned them that we might not be able to stay too long, despite our success on the yacht.

But after feeding Minnie straight before we left, and knowing it was a much shorter drive home if we did need to make a sharp exit, we managed a promising three and a half hours munching baguettes and even a mouthful or two of rose, strategically timed around my second al fresco feed. There was even chance to meander the paths past the Palm House, by the lake and under a score of interesting trees, which I gave far less attention than they deserved. As ever, the grounds were full of families, although it’s hardly a cheap day out if you don’t have an annual pass to make the most of.

And as I trundled the buggy round while Minnie dozed, it started to feel like days out are already within our grasp – and then longer travel can’t be too far behind.

Image: Paul and Christa/Flickr