Kew - in a different order

 There was a larger than normal crowd at the gates this morning, along with some pretty clouds

this is by the entrance as you go in, but I can't start the blog with it, it would ruin my routine!  

the dark petunias in the tubs along the pond still looking good

alternate tubs have slightly different plants

big bed in front of the Palm House

dahlias going strong in the bed at the top of the Broad Walk 

looking over the bed down the Broad Walk

and in the other direction to the Palm House

heading along the Broad walk first 

however we went over to Kew Palace next - this is the back

nice chimneys!

the garden at Kew Palace - we haven't been since the laburnum was flowering and have missed a lot of colour

globe artichokes with Palace behind

out the front of the palace

had a quick look in the children's garden

this eucalyptus tree was very tactile (I didn't like the photos I took of it though)

then headed round to the lake

we bumped into Glad, who we've not seen for ages, and she mentioned the Victoria cafe was still doing free tea for members till 10 so after a catch up,  we diverted immediately!!

as we past the lake we saw the heron stock still watching... 

Peter was there, we've not seen him for ages either

the carrot cake seems to be shrinking though!

we headed back tot he lake 

and one of the youngish foxes wandered by

before heading along to the woodland  - no sign of Goldie today, only Peter again!  

"fluff"

i think this is rosebay willow herb

looking up into a tree

hydrangeas near the small lily pond 

holly berries 

strawflowers in the davies exploration house - some nice "fluff"

(can you tell blogger started messing with the order!) 

into the temperate house 

lotus flowers 

this was my favourite of them today, due to the light

light through lotus leaf

my fave again

in action outside the temperate house - the photo didn't make the grade though!

rose garden still has some lovely colour

we had intended to go into the waterlily house but it looked very busy and would be hot so gave it a miss

the acer outside the POW is turning colour already (it does go early) 

Kim made me play colourmatch to hair....

instead a quick walk through the princess of wales conservatory

where at the far end we were amazed to find exit via a fire exit and a redevelopment underway -  we didn't come in here last week but presumably given

how much has been done, they had started then

Carbon Garden next... 

it was quite warm by now and several of the benches under the mushroom (in the shade) were occupied)

 

just love the shapes 

heading round past the grass garden 

flowers in the veg garden

gorgeous sunflowers along the edge of the veg garden

then round to my favourite beds in the evolution garden 

it felt very odd visiting the evolution garden at this end of the visit, but it was still worth it! 

the other side of the evolution garden up near the rock garden 

I think this fits in somewhere round here! 

along the salvia border to finish 

back by the pond 

thanks for looking!  see you next week