vampyresheep | Steampunk in Kew

The weekend after Dundee, there was a steampunk meet-up at Kew Gardens, arranged by Guy Padfield. As the days grew closer and the weather got hotter, I was starting to wonder whether I wouldn't prefer going for a swim instead ; dressing up being the last thing I wanted to do. However we wanted to support the event and hopefully catch up with friends, as we've not done too many steampunk events this year, so we decided to go for it, albeit more dressed down than usual.

this could be considered Dieselpunk, no? :-)

There were a small group gathered at the entrance when we arrived, so we joined them and introduced ourselves. Soon Guy arrived and we got the first group photo, whilst wondering how many more would turn up.

as the numbers started to grow, we all made our way into the grounds and gathered near the entrance, more finely dressed steampunks joining us by the minute - quite a large group in the end, at least 30-40, from all over the south. (still not so sure about how steampunk is evolving into tribes though, the Kent Group, the Portsmouth Group, the Sussex Group, it runs the risk of becoming cliquey - Rob and I don't do groups, we just do events!)

(another group photo was taken but I've not seen a copy of it yet)

was rather excited to learn there were dragons scattered around the grounds to find!

There were too many of us to keep all in one group, so we split up (mainly in the aforementioned tribes!), with plans to meet up outside the Palm House for lunch.

We headed towards the newly restored Temperate House

the attendant outside was rather taken by our attire, so Guy inducted him into the world of steampunk through the loan of a pair of goggles for a photo. :-)

inside the beautiful conservatory - the restoration has made it just sparkle

continued strolling towards the treetop walkway and despite the misgivings of myself and Susie, both slightly scared of heights, we decided to go for it - fab views but the walkway is (intentionally) a little wobbly. I guess its supposed to make you feel you are really in the trees but its not good for vertigo!

altitude training for Mexico ;-)

absolutely not gripping to the railing for all my life!

carried our stroll towards the lunchtime meeting spot

reached the Palm House - it was darned hot away from the shelter of trees!

so Rob and I "volunteered" to grab a picnic spot under the trees, whilst the rest went to spread the word of where to gather.

the obligatory hat-stack

followed by the obligatory steampunk-herding for group photo

After lunch we all set off different ways to continue explorations, Rob and I going towards the waterlily house and look for more dragons, and generally just bumping into others as we found them over the afternoon
Palm house and roses

I love this place - although it was a tad warm!

large things growing from trees (with Rob for scale)

in the Palm house - finding Kirsty with Boris steam-rat

and Dragon no 2!

Dragon 3

we were not the only dragon hunters

Dragon 4

rather liked the detail on this one

went back to the meeting point to say goodbye to everyone, then we decided to head to the north of the gardens to find the final couple of dragons

Save

interesting building, not yet open to the public

Pagoda out of hat pic didn't quite work!

the final dragon!

and the reason for the dragons - to commemorate the restoration of the pagoda, complete with many dragons

Time to go home. Headed back to the exit, via the shop, where we bumped into a few more hangers-on and I bought myself a cute pitcher plant! (which, several weeks later, is not only not dead yet but double the size!)

Full album of pics here: