Hot, Hot, Hot - (at Kew)

We've been "blessed" (if you like that kind of thing) with a spell of very hot - and hence being England; humid - weather. Personally I don't like it, it's too much for me.  However, I haven't been to Kew for weeks, and can't go next weekend when it is meant to be cooler.  So.... togged up in the "Wimbledon" outfit of maxi dress, straw hat and sunglasses (and suncream) off I went...

The Broad Walk is planted with beds either side of the Walk, in hot hot colours - loose planting, wvy lines of plants. Gorgeous.

Some beds are pink/red and purples

 or wispy yellows and oranges.

 Yarn bombing at Kew, how gorgeous does this tree look! Maybe the wool was woven from the carved sheep above...?

The beds in front of the Palm house were also looking glorious, again, hot hot colours.

 the doors to the Waterlily House were wide open - steamy hot inside, and outside!

the petals of this waterlily may be starting to fade, but it was beautiful!

 and I loved the markings on these leaves.

 Pod growing inside the Palm House (should have looked to see what it was.! )

 last time I went to Kew I had the camera on the wrong setting, this is what this picture of the Temperate House was meant to be like - empty of the plants whilst they undertaken massive restoration of this beautiful building.

and a close up of the stone carving outside.

 Blue blue skies and sunflowers - nothing prettier!

 big beds full of flowers everywhere

 This is the main thing I wanted to do today... last time it was shut because we'd had heavy rain but today, it was open...
sandals off, through you go..various different surfaces to walk through and over..designed for all ages.

 these were ok - smooth stones -

 and lovely tree trunks - followed by sections of bark, sand, logs (bit hard to balance with my camera, so missed those)

I also gave the muddy side a miss - went down the brick side - it would have been hard keeping the dress out of the mud!





The last section was willow, and funnily enough was the most uncomfortable of the lot!  But it was great fun - and a hosepipe to wash off at the end - I gave that a miss too, as there was a large group who'd obviously just gone through before me, and walked the mess off by staying barefoot a bit longer!

 beautiful pods

 and this was covered in bees

 tall thistles (the spot to the right is a bee, too)

moss covered water feature in the Secluded Garden. Decided it was a bit early to stop for Gin and Tonic (and the heat was giving me a headache too) even though it would have been lovely. It's a feature for the summer, only. Maybe next time!

Fallen daisies - presumably by the storm the other day - laying on the path, but looking good still.

At this point, it was nearly mid-day and the sun was beating down, so I headed home for a long cold drink!.