The last few days have been damp and dun.

When the sun came out today - which wouldn't have pleased Darlene, who wanted atmospheric gloom for her long-awaited visit to Highgate cemetery - I nipped down to Kew for an end-of-the-afternoon stroll.

The sun shone through glowing rudbeckias, golden marigolds and autumn crocus.

I paid my last visit of the year to the waterlily house

And smelled lavender in my favourite secret garden,

Admired two enormously fat peacocks

And lost count of green parrots which are multiplying faster than ever.

(I don't mind. I like lairy green parrots.)

And then I came home and made blackberry and apple crumble.

Even though the walk was supposed to work off the cake I ate with Darlene, Rachel and Simon on Sunday.