Monday, June 6, 2016

What a Difference a Day Makes

well, three days, but ... finally out came the sun.. Today is my last day of my break, it's back to work tomorrow.  The sun woke me at 5... I was planning on going to Hampton Court but I was awake and know as a member I can get into Kew from 8 rather than 10... so off I went...

Arrived at 8,03 after a brisk march from the station (timed it, it took 13 minutes to the Victoria Gate) and the sun was already high in the sky.
 blue sky!
 reflections!
 swans just waking up
the Gunnera, still huge

and the Stipenda looking magnificent in the sun
 bright bright sun reflecting on the Palm House
 shaded woodland area


 drawn back to the Order Beds, and the peonies.. not a sound apart from birdsong and lawnmowers (they start work early here!)
 it was blissful
bees were busy on the peonies
 how different they look in the sun
and the Californian Poppies were coming out in the early sunshine, framed by the roses
 can you tell I love poppies?!

 backlit by the sun








so many blooms to come!


 Nigella, Love-in-a-Mist, looking fab

 the newly planted Broad Walk, empty of visitors still (this was after breakfast which included a free coffee)  about 9.30 by now... the "public" would be let in in half an hour..time to head for more secluded areas

more Californian Poppies outside the Princess of Wales glasshouse

had to snap another one of my favourite views in the sunshine!

still heading for seclusion -  via the rose garden and another sit in the sun first!

 loving the sun through the trees
 and the Henry Moore statue

 wildflowers (cow parsley i think) and yellow iris, along the lake edge
 aww, cute!
 7 cygnets out for a swim

 the Sackler Crossing, looking fab, but I was headed for the wooded walk where the bluebells were in April ...
 more gorgeous reflections



 don't know what these are, but there were lots of them in the shade of the big trees where the bluebells grow
 in April this is a carpet of blue.....








Gone 10 now, so people would be in, and the glasshouses and Treetop Walkway were now open..
Decided to climb the steps, not take the lift (work off the breakfast sausage roll!)
love the dappled light through the tree canopy
 and the shapes of the walkway
 back down at ground level.

I could hear peacocks calling while I was walking through the gardens, but didn't come across them today.
towards the Meditteranean Garden now..

 think this is sage, or at least it has very sage-like leaves!
 back to the rose garden, lay down on the pavement, there is a slight bank down to the roses so this gives a good eye (ground) level view...
 not so humid in the waterlily house today, so the bottle gourds were captured properly
in the Palm House (didn't stay long, it was hot and full of school parties!)  but love the bright green fronds of the big palm leaves
and water droplets on these leaves
 back outside, another low lying shot
beautiful huge peonies!

 and more wildflowers

 and clumps of alliums


by now, it was gone 11 and the sun was very hot, I had forgotten the sunscreen in my rush to get out early, so I headed for home!

So, another great day, yes, the sun causes some problem with shadow (like the shadows really) and flare, but so nice to see blue skies and feel the warmth on my skin...

11 comments:

Little Arty Journeys said...

Fabulous! I've also had a walk this morning (guess where!) but am a long way behind you in posting photos!

yoursartfully said...

Fabulous photos Helen. I really need to pay Kew another visit, hopefully on a sunny day like today, I've only been when it's been murky and dismal, the sun makes such a difference.Glad you had such gorgeous sunshine for your last day off.

Lin x

craftimamma said...

Wonderful Helen! I love the wildflower pics and those stunning peonies. Glad you got a good day for it before going back to work.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

craftimamma said...

Wonderful Helen! I love the wildflower pics and those stunning peonies. Glad you got a good day for it before going back to work.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

sam21ski said...

It really does make a difference when the sun's out doesn't it. Those poppies look gorgeous. What a great way to spend the last day of your little break xx

Miriam said...

Fabulous photos Helen.... it looks like you had a lovely time - the sun certainly makes teh flowers look even more beautiful

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed seeing and reading the lines you described about each photos. Have a great day!

Jo Capper-Sandon said...

Ooo love the shadows, the peonies, the 'sage' the poppies...wow, what a post! I've never been to Kew... :( Looks so calm and relaxing (apart from the shrill sound peacocks make I guess lol) xx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Wow, this was a simply wonderful trip. I really enjoyed it.

Of course I remember the bluebells, but truthfully don't remember the Sackler Crossing before.

I also enjoyed the photos of the walkway, also quite new to me. I've seen it at ground level and I've seen photos from it, but never the walkway photo you showed and shared of the meandering shape. It was glorious.

Every time I visit, it's like a new experience for me, too. Thanks for these beautiful photos. They are truly spectacular.

Carmen said...

I adore poppies too. Such gorgeous photos Helen and that must have been such an amazing experience to have the place to yourself. It's somewhere I've never been but you make me feel I should make the effort.

Linda Jones said...

Absolutely stunning place! What a talented photographer you are Helen!💜💜💜💜💜