a damp Kew

Yesterday was wet, storm Austen blew across England and I debated not going to Kew today, but woke to dry and not  much wind. Rain forecast later, but decided to chance it. 

No Kim today, so a solo visit. I got there later than usual but was still first in line! 

the winter bedding has started at the Palm House

and despite the grey skies, the pond was full of reflections. 

I had a physio appointment on Monday and was given some exercises to lift weights to build up strength in my wrist again, so it was time to take the macro lens again.

it weighs (because I checked when I got home) over 800g for the lens on its own, so a decent workout

It was good to be able to take close ups again, and I even found some colour left in the beds 

I walked down the Broad Walk partway

I had hoped to get some good shots of the Liquidamber tree on the corner but most of the leaves at lower level of the branches were on the ground 

so I headed round by the Hive

and the Carbon Garden 

most of the flowers have gone to seed, but even they are quite pretty

there were lots of beautiful leaves around on trees (pic above) and shrubs (this one

I went into the Princess of Wales, 

back of a  fern frond

I had remembered my lens cloth today but it still kept misting up

I walked round the outside of the POW taking the top path along the rock garden - still no sign of the mountain agave flowering (the tall flower stem appears to be shorter than it was, I hope it will still hold on to flower whenever!)

to the alpine house 

there were some gorgeous big nerines

and my favourite scilla's 

I am not sure if I had realised they were bulbs...

then back into the rock garden 

the acer on the corner to the entrance through to the evolution garden is colouring up.

the pumpkin and squashes are still drying under the shelter in the veg garden 

never seen this variety before all bobbly!

luckily they were named 

Galeux d'Eysines in case you want to know!

still on macro action 

still some cosmos holding on 

Evolution garden 

more leaves

berberis

berries

mahonia

blogger is asking you to view the next half dozen in reverse order

the teasels next to the cardoons!  

it had started to drizzle and I was trying not to have to juggle the umbrella as well 

I decided to go and get a drink 

as I past the pond, i noticed a heron sitting on the plinth where the Hercules statue used to be, and a cormorant flapping wings on the lower level 

could have done with the long zoom,

the cormorant flew up to the plinth and had a hissy fit at the heron 

but they were both still there as  I rounded the corner

I decided to sit inside in the dry,  I had in my last minute decision forgotten to pack snacks so had to buy one!   but the Paris Brest is nice, it was yummy in fact (I've had it before)  and the hot chocolate is always good - when it is hot, as it was today!

I headed left out of the cafe past the Chittamwood  near the entrance

it was still looking fabulous even without sunshine 

tearing myself away I headed past the wild rose garden 

walking along the path in the new part of the  Mediterranean garden 

the lift at the treetop walkway on my way to the lake

there were hardly any birds on the lake, the swans a way up as you see 

so I headed back towards the Palm House 

the Double Oval Henry 

there were a group of people (in my way!)  

I tried to get shots without them 

I decided to finish at the rose garden with the Yoshino cherry trees that surround it.

the colours are gorgeous 

before making my way home. 

It was a short visit today- just a couple of hours - but still enjoyable

Thanks for looking, hope to see you next week - when it will be nearly November for heck's sake!