Kew

The latest forecast heatwave didn't arrive today and it was breezy and lovely (was even cold at the gate) but it did get muggy. 

Kim headed for the lake whilst I took my normal opener...

the geese were grouping on the grass at the pond

heading round the back of the Palm House to the lake

viewing through Henry! 

passing some Henry's

at the lake - which is now becoming covered in green as usual in the heat -  I caught up with Kim

the baby tufted ducks were in the middle of the lake with mum 

there wasn't a lot of birdlife around yet

so we carried on to the next bench by the lake crossing

where the swans, who had been sheltering under the crossing, swam over 

the sun came out too

then several geese came along

and more the other side of the crossing as we headed for our free tea!

as we walked through the Mediterranean garden, 

Kinky ran past us (named for the kink in her tail) 

me changing lenses!

we walked back towards the Victoria cafe through some long grass, so I sat down and played at a Flake advert...

but getting up was harder!  

pausing at a Henry on the way to tea 

they had some - large - croissants this week so we both had one.  they may have been yesterday's but still good enough. 

better value than the cakes....

then headed off again 

round the back of the pond 

to the Evolution garden 

lots of favourites here

lots of bees around

then flowers in the vegetable garden 

lots of sunflowers in amongst the vegetables

side view

there were some huge ones in the back bed, and taller than me

they were this big!!  

the agapanthas are out too

on the way to the alpine house

alpine house

the clock ticked round to 10 so the Princess of Wales was open now

it was steamy hot so it was a fairly quick wander through!

some cactus about to flower... will be done by next weekend 

love the way this plant drops it's flowers

you often see them falling in front of you. 

with the waterlily house closed for refurb, this is the place for large waterlilies this year

outside in some fresh air at the carbon garden 

sat on a bench for a brief pause

cloudy, but no chance of rain 

muggy now.  

along the Broad Walk 

the round bed at the top - loving the dahlias again this week too

and some matching roses

looking through Henry at the chilling geese beyond

beds in front of the palm house 

looking fabulous

the colours are beautiful 

and the strawflowers look amazing

we were going back to the lake and woodland for some cool 

the baby Mallards were hopping in and out of the lake with their mum 

they moved so fast, wouldn't pose for me nicely

here's mum!

carrying on round the lake

at the woodland we found Peter, and after a while Goldie came out from the undergrowth

something was spooking him, he was flitting about and so were the parakeets but we couldn't see why, no sign of foxes 

there weren't many birds around apart from some pigeons and magpies and the parakeets so a little later I left Kim and Peter and headed for a wonder before leaving 

the Pagoda always looks wonky (like the Palm House and it's not just me....) there hadn't been any sun much to speak of, not what the forecast had really said.

some more Henry shots 

peeking through holes.... 

turned round for a parting shot, shows the scale. 

I turned at this Henry 

through the wild rose garden 

where as I came out from between two large shrubs I nearly fell over this fox!

he ran off, past the Henry at the Palm House pond (spooking the geese that were chilling) before running under some undergrowth near the war memorial bench.

thanks for looking hope you enjoyed.  at least it wasn't roasting hot!