Up, close and personal ...

... that's what you see when on the Xstrata Treetop Walkway in Kew Gardens in London ..



... a treetop walkway is exactly what it is ... a platform walkway built at treetop height ..



One of the mum's, whose son does karate on the same day as Bradley, was saying yesterday that she and her hubby are flying off to London today .. which made me think of our last trip - to Ireland, stopping off in London for a few days on our way home. On one of the days, hubby and I visited and walked around the most beautiful Kew Gardens. I love gardens, so this was special for me!!!! On our walk around we came across the treetop walkway and climbed the steps into the tree canopy, 18 metres above the ground ..

Quite a unique experience walking at the same level as the tops of the trees ..

.. where all along are 'pausing' areas with small plaques such as this one which reads "89 million trees in England live in fields, hedges, orchards, gardens, parks and streets" ...

There is also a lift for those who cannot climb the stairs ...

At the base of the walkway is a replica of a fallen tree to show how a tree 'works' with a simple diagram and explanation for children ...

On the board is a quote by Lucy Larcom :

"He who plants a tree plants hope"

Wish we were flying off to London like the 'karate mum' and her hubby .. !!!