Kew

 The day started dull.  But a 9am opening for the end of Easter Holidays is always welcome.

the daffodils in the Parterre beds are finished, apart from the middle round bed as they were later flowering.

no blue sky backdrop for the pond edged tulips today

we headed round towards the lake and the woodland walk first today

Kim photo-bombing my shot ha ha

there wasn't masses happening at the lake, although we could hear lots of bird noise the other side of the islands

there were some good reflections although the sun was struggling

ivy growing up a tree

there were lots more bluebells flowering than last week, which is why we had come here first

still some blossom on the trees

shame there wasn't more sun

I'd like to say it was peaceful with the sound of birdsong, but there were lots of planes going overhead to Heathrow!

there was lots more wild garlic too but you couldn't smell it this week for some reason 

the group ahead came towards and passed us as we were taking photos.

a bit further along they had stopped and the lady in the high-vis vest leading them explained they were there for an ashes scattering and could we pass on and not stop to take photos where they were, which we did 

a very peaceful place to have your ashes scattered in the woodland 

another time we'll take the boarded walk round the edges of the woodland 

there were patches with sunshine 

as we came out of the woodland we rejoined the main part of the garden, some nice shadows...

we thought there may be some good shafts of sunshine through the redwoods, but sadly not ; the sun went again

lots of ferns though

at the edge of the redwoods you rejoin grassy areas 

more rhododendrons here,  

and even some sun!

we turned right towards the Japanese garden

where we found some more prunus trees flowering 

yay! some blue sky to offset the pink blossom

at the corner by the gravel garden

we found another of the forthcoming sculptures for the Mark Quinn event 

we think this is a hibiscus

I swapped to the phone to save changing lenses

it's not a mirrored one as you can probably tell.

we headed towards the Temperate House

as we got to the Temperate House the cherry trees on the south (I think ) part of Cherry Walk were still flowering well 

the blue sky was flitting behind clouds but it wasn't cold (it had been chilly first thing)

inside the Temperate House 

bird of paradise in the entrance

in the 2 connecting octagons, most of the troughs have been moved.  we expect this is to make space for the Mark Quinn event 

cherub on a big urn at the end of the main section of the TH

then it was out to the tulips in Cherry Walk

the cherry trees have nearly finished flowering already since last week!

Kim was just behind me!

before getting down the steps

I'd have laid down but it was a bit muddy/damp so did the best I could

I may have got carried away a little..

lots of the dark varieties are out this week, changing the whole look of the drifts completely.

they run down both sides of the trees as you saw,

we were both criss-crossing the path!

when they grow close to the rope stopping you walk through them, you can see the pretty patterns inside

so beautiful!  

we doubled back on ourselves to get a cup of tea at the Pavilion restaurant - chosen for the proper cups and plates, if not the quick service

bluebells naturalising themselves near the cafe 

they focus more on lunches but do have some croissants/pain au chocolate which is what I had

(warm, so nice!)  

afterwards we headed back to the main gate

along Camellia walk

lots of which are still flowering

we paused briefly at the sculpture - still behind barriers

both Kim and are are in these ones, Kim in the red and me in the blue jeans

hopefully come the main event we'll be able to get lots of fun reflections.... our heads stretched into funny shapes !

the beautiful pink and white tulips feature in drifts through a lot of the gardens,

these are at the entrance

heading past the Palm House again on our way to the POW 

the light was a little brighter this time past

I liked the drooping petals on this against the grey-blue pond

round bed at the top of the Broad Walk 

more of the pink and white tulips along the broad walk

the stripes on the back of this one bending over attracted me

this one was blowing about in the wind and in the end I had to hold it open, it kept blowing upright away from me!

gorgeous, aren't they! 

firey red and yellow ones

deep red, just about backlit in the sun

we didn't stay long in the POW it was too hot, despite having shed layers...

before going into the alpine house

scilla - cuban lily.  Love these! 

small alliums 

the "tortoise"  flowering 

at the foot of the rock the one above is in, a smaller one, without such a long "neck"

we headed out of the alpine house and round the far end of the rock garden - peonies flowering in the shelter of a tree

before walking through the Evolution garden 

there is a big patch of Pasque flowers here, still looking good - we hadn't gone along the top path in the rock garden to see them there this week 

they are so soft looking 

at the far end of the evolution garden is the peony garden and the first few are out there 

what a gorgeous colour

I asked Kim if I matched.     sort of!  

to the side of the peonies is a large drift of acid green euphorbia

heading back towards the exit 

this is at the base of the slope where the temple of Aoulus is

pale pink camellia in the sun

the gunnera have grown again

as we left Kew for the morning, we were stunned at the length of the queue to get in..

stretching way up the road 

Kim took a panoramic one on her phone 

they'd have had a long wait to get in

Thanks for looking, hope you enjoyed ;   see you next week.