Hunting Henry at Kew

 Kim couldn't make today so said I should go hunting Henry -  the Henry Moore sculptures that are gradually appearing round the gardens in time for the massive exhibition coming to both Kew and Wakehurst this year. 

it was mighty chilly first off and drizzly (although that did stop at 10 when Kew opened) 

I was glad I had grabbed my woolly hat 

the tulips and remaining daffodils in the Palm House beds are looking fabulous

the round bed at the top of the Broad Walk is going to be a favourite again this spring/summer - the anemones especially at present 

I headed down the Broad Walk 

blossom off to my right 

and left

there was no sun to brighten the tulips and some of them are falling open but they make nice shapes 

a view of the Carbon garden 

more flopping tulips!

towards the end of the Broad Walk approaching the Orangery restaurant I found a Henry

obviously because they aren't all fully installed and the exhibition doesn't open till 9 May, they are still behind fencing but sneak peaks are possible

I went over to the beds by the Elizabeth Gate entrance which are pink and purple themed

in one bed

and a couple of orange and yellows

another Henry by the Nash Conservatory

I took the path from the Elizabeth gate

that leads to the Carbon garden

drifts of bluebells in the bed along the path

you pass the Monkey Puzzle tree as you go - what a size!

the ancient wisteria is starting to flower - I was expecting more as there is one along the road from where I live that grows over it's owners garage that is in full flower (it has suddenly erupted) 

will keep an eye on this one 

you approach the Carbon Garden from a different angle on this path rather than from the Hive

I went into the Princess of Wales conservatory from what I always think of as the back door - Kim wanted an update on "stinky"'s growth

the chart hadn't been updated today, but yesterday it had reached 104 cm - from 66 on the 2nd 

it is starting to bulge too.  

I would think it's got a way to go before it opens though still. 

I had to take this on my phone as the camera was misting up and wouldn't oblige with a decent picture 

the jade vine is till in full throw,  although dropping it's flowers/petals (not sure)  a young boy was throwing them into the pond... I tutted to myself as I went past him as it didn't seem to bother his family.

round in the rock garden,the pasqueflowers are going to seed

the path was too wet for lying down for shots. 

I walked through the alpine house - still have the short zoom on so no close ups

into the evolution garden 

camassia in flower here too, so maybe the spread I saw up at the end of Rhododendron dell on Monday isn't that early after all.

from the other side of the path, with pink tulips in front 

as I headed back to the Palm House I bumped into a couple of regulars, Patrick and Joyce who we've not seen since before Christmas and had been worried they weren't ok - however they just use the Elizabeth gate in winter so it's just out paths haven't crossed. 

we chatted a bit and I headed on my way

I was surprised to see a single swan sitting on the grass by the pond 

ruffling his feathers up 

haivng a look round 

there was also a pair down in the pond by the side 

I couldn't get a decent shot 

I wish you could get onto the grass right in front of this bed like we used to be able to.

palm house beds 

found another Henry

looking forward to finding out what they're all called 

looking up the grass towards the far end of the lake. . squint and you might see another one.. 

I didn't allow myself to be diverted by the lake particularly although I could see 2 more swans on the lake

I found a gap in the fencing just big enough to poke the lens through

before heading back round the lake I did divert to the camassia patch at the edge of Kew. 

back at the lake I was on the lookout for the Egyptian goslings but first found 2 greylags with 3 babies about to go swimming 

I wasn't sure if they were the same swans as on the Palm House pond or not,  

I was heading up the path away from the lake but something made me turn round and saw the 2 Egyptians at the top path that runs along the lake 

I headed back and as I did, the babies ran towards the lake with mum and dad following 

they stood by the water's edge

they were funny, they were running back and forwards 

not quite sure if they wanted to go in or not (they didn't, whilst I was there)

the greylags came out of the lake and were hissing at them as if to say, go away 

another Henry over by the path into the Woodland 

I headed the other way though, past the lily pond - from the other side to I normally use. 

this is by the side of the pond 

I hadn't been through the woodland to check the bluebells but on my way back towards the Pavilion for a drink I did find lots growing in patches under trees 

cherry trees by the Temperate House 

the sky was still grey... 

I had a hot chocolate and ate my hot cross bun that I'd brought with me 

for once there wasn't a long queue to be served!

as I had walked to the cafe, I had seen off to my right up by the Pagoda....

another Henry!

I think this one was at Kew last time they had some of his sculptures.  

I headed back to the Temperate House

it was a quick walk through 

it was time for the tulips in Cherry Walk 

it had warmed up a little from early on but there wasn't anything much in the way of sunshine 

there weren't as many people as on Easter Monday but still a fair few 

up in the Mediterranean garden the ceanothus - trying different settings to stand it out from the background 

the Judas tree in the lower part of the Mediterranean garden has opened out lots in the sun we had mid week 

I headed back past more blossom on my way to the Palm house and exit 

finally a little blue sky

 

there are tubs at the top of the slopes round the Palm House with these gorgeous tulips 

beds with the pond behind 

at the side of the pond, the other side to where I'd seen them before, the 2 swans were still here, so must be a second pair.

no sign of the single one, perhaps he was still on the grass the other side out of my sight. 

I had packed my camera away so as I left I snapped the tubs of tulips again at the entrance, on my way out  (if you see what I mean)

I'd love some of those big tubs!!  

thanks for looking - see you again next week.