Post Christmas walk at Kew

Not only that, it's the first post I've written on the new computer!

The day started bright and sunny (now I'm home it's cloudy again) Despite the cold I've been fighting since Christmas Eve, finally coming out this morning I wasn't going to miss a walk in the sun... 

 the sun was low, being December, so cue lots of "arty" shots of shadows ...

... this one's just for Julia! 

 I decided to concentrate on the Palm House today, taking loads of shots from different angles..

 Sam commented about the grass being muddy after all the rain - yes, but not too bad, and it was largely short so I didn't get too wet..

 it's not out of focus, it was steamy in the glass house!

 took this from all angles today (won't bore you with all of them!)

 just a couple!! I was looking to see how the reflections changed whilst walking round it and depending where the sun was

 Snowdrops in the Rock Garden

 and the roses are already growing back across the Pergola in the Order Bed gardens

 took several of this temple from various viewpoints too!

 and came across this magnificent peacock, whose tailfeathers are already growing back ready to attract his mate in the spring.  Fabulous rich colours

 he was just across the path from this view - the fountain is still off because the Kew at Christmas event is still on, and they use the Pond for a lighting and water display

 but fabulous reflections of the Dogwoods alongside the pond.

 hmmm what can I say, I loved them!

 and the Palm House again

 more temples...

and this tree still with lots of leaf, the sun shining brightly through the green

 into the sun for this one (tut tut!) but quite like the effect nonetheless

 the Temperate House, shrouded in polythene for the restoration

 and Hellebores flowering, in December?!

 lots of fantastic trees displaying leafless shapes..

 and the Henry Moore sculpture

 walked across the Sackler crossing, more reflections in the water

 more knobbly tree trunks..

the lift was out of action for maintenance (no sign of workmen though!) so had to take the steps.. coughing along the way!!

 stopping partway for this gorgeous shot against the blue sky

and from the top, across to the other side. love the alternating rusty steel supports and the tree trunks.

 back to the Palm House
This is from the Rose Garden side

 loved these fluffy clouds!

 and the sun shining through the roof

into the Waterlily House, only small blooms at the moment, but loved the reflections again

final shot of the Princess of Wales Glasshouse, as I took my cough back to the train home!










oh, forgot one! found this water fountain I've never noticed before..
the water comes out of the mouth.