Saturday, February 22, 2014

After a long absence - the return to Kew - and my new camera

I have been itching to take my new camera on an outing to my favourite place and today was the day - oh the joy of being able to come home and download the photos immediately, none of this waiting around for the shop to develop the films!!  Anyway, Kew is hosting it's annual Orchid Exhibition in the Princess of Wales (POW) glasshouse, which opened a couple of weeks ago but what with the weather and my crafty day to the Stevenage craft show, today was the first time I was able to go... 118 photos later, I am going to attempt to reduce them to a manageable blog post!!

The journey was not without difficulties thanks to weekend engineering works on the railway and involved 3 trains instead of 2 but... here goes!

 bright banners welcoming you !
 The main display as always is in the waterlily pond in the POW glasshouse - this year, it's set up like a plant hunters camp.

and a display alongside also in the pond.
 They've got copies of plant hunter diaries dotted around too, interesting reading!
 the stars of the show...


a wall of orchids













 back outside, time for my favourite!! I am as you probably know, obsessed by this fountain on days like this - bright, sunny, windy, and the water spraying! (I took about 20, so count yourself lucky I've not uploaded them all...)


 signs of spring - finally!
 oops, there it is again! Taken at ground level through the Dogwood...
 blue skies, and some pretty clouds
 look at the blue!
Also fairly obsessed by these willow sculptures...

 so were other people... get out of my shot, lol!!

so there you go.  An hour and a half each way, same amount of time spent there, and 118 photos cut down to these for you!! Hope you like them.

If you're nearby, the orchids are on till I think 9th March...

12 comments:

massofhair said...

I ADORE Orchids, such an elegant plant. So glad we got to see some of the beauties you photographed, brought a smile to my heart.

You and your camera have taken some beautiful images, can see why you l9ve your fountain, it is rather spectacular!

Glad you enjoyed Kew, thanks for sharing:-) xxx

Lesley Edmonds said...

Fabulous photos Helen. Took me right back to when we were at Kew last year. Certainly can tell the difference in your photos with your new camera!,, What camera is it Helen. Remind me.

Alison said...

Wow! Can't get over the colour of that sky! Great photos Helen! x

Deborah Wainwright said...

Great photos Helen. They are beautiful orchids and I love the sculptures they are really something and how dare people get in your shots. Xx

Anonymous said...

Fantastic blog post & brilliant photos. The orchids are beautiful & I love the willow mushrooms.

Lori said...

What awesome pics Helen! Seems like you're getting used to the new camera! Gorgeous pics!

sam21ski said...

Oh wow fabulous photos as ever Helen, but so pleased you went for it and got your digi camera, much easier and quicker to download and look through immediately rather than relying on that machine in Boots - lol.

Love your photos of the fountain, those were my favourite closely followed by the sculpted willow and the great opening of the plant hunters camp.

As ever thanks for sharing your wonderful experience and fantastic photos.

Sam xx

craftimamma said...


Another very enjoyable post Helen. They always really make me want to go to Kew! You could have posted all 118 and I would have poured over them all, lol! Glad you enjoyed time with your lovely new camera.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Words and Pictures said...

Fabulous photographs - those willow sculptures are astonishing, and I love the diary.
Alison xx

Carmen said...

Wow - I opened up the photos to view larger and they positively smack you in the face with their vibrancy! Love the purples and pinks - so gorgeous. And those mushroom sculptures. Gorgeous post Helen.

Elaine said...

Love seeing your photos of Kew and you picked another great day to visit. One day I will get there!!

Linda said...

Gorgeous photos Helen! I am so envious that you get to go to Kew so much! I was hoping to bring Mum up to the orchid show but I think it's nearly over now. Good luck with the new camera, if these photos are anything to go by, you have mastered it already:) Love the fountain shots, and the willow!