Kew - a last visit before Christmas

It was pouring with rain when I left and I had to take my umbrella, although by the time I got to the bus stop it was sunny (not for long though) 

 indeed by the time the gates opened at 10, the rain was back even though there were patches of blue sky



btw Elizabeth, I checked the labels- most of the flowers are yellow, orange and white but a few at the back of the round beds are going to be blue

 quite a strange sky

 as I went round the pond, I shot into the sun - a great sillhouette, it looks like a black and white photo

 I was juggling with my umbrella and the camera

 but had to get raindrops 

(they will feature heavily today!)









the dogwood stems are really colourful though

 you can see the raindrops at the top left

bit tricky with the phone  - I was going for a jaunty angle of the umbrella, not trying to keep it out of shot!

 tree at the top of the Broad Walk

 as I was walking down the Broad Walk, the sun came out even though it was still raining (especially behind me!)

this must be a first, shadow selfie with umbrella!



I knew there should be a rainbow.... suddenly it appeared in front of me

 stunning!


I couldn't get the camera to capture it but the phone did brilliantly

still raining as you can see by the brolly in the shadow!

I tried for a closer image

 the Hive bathed in sunshine

 and the huge tree at the left end of the Broad Walk - glowing! 

 Kew Palace was also bathed in the light

the rain was stopping and starting.... even more annoying than continual rain!

I went round past the Orangery restaurant with the Hive on my right

 more raindrops

 more moody shots

 into the warm.  and dry...

the lad who feeds the water dragons was on watering duty and said there were 2 around this morning 

 still there!

 and on the grating over the warmth!

 there were some pretty orchids

 walking back through the central area now

the Christmas cactus is flowering.


Mum always had one of these, it brings back fond memories. 

 the big agave outside the door

 the snowdrops under the big acer in the rock garden are really flourishing now

the bare stems of the acer were covered in raindrops

 there wasn't a lot of colour left in the evolution garden, but some intriguing flowers (or seed heads)  I failed to capture the name

 more raindrops

 and funghi along the woodland path

 different type

 at least the rain had stopped

 more impressive skies

 the dogwoods stretch quite a way along the side of the pond

 the mahonia wasn't quite as impressive as last week

 I headed for early refreshments as I hadn't had a lot of breakfast before coming out.


the Palm House was looking fabulous in the sun

hot chocolate of course (my free one as I had filled my loyalty card)  and cake - toffee praline again 

after looking round the shop I headed back outside,  under the start of the Christmas Trail

 the paths look empty but despite the weather there were quite a lot of people visiting,  I was just lucky mostly getting people free shots

 I thought this camellia was better focused than it is!  but it's so pretty I'm leaving it in

 totally bare of leaves now,  but yay for a blue sky backdrop!

I went into the gallery briefly..

where the main room was empty... as I had my standard wide angle lens on I got a couple of general shots

back outside - I wanted to take advantage of the sun in case it rained again

 looking through a tangle of bare branches

as I got to the corner to turn to the Temperate House I caught sight of a reflection of the big fir trees in the puddles on the path

this one on the phone

















 but as I bent down for a better angle, I saw this!!


(camera again)

phone one,. 

 I walked up the path dodging the puddle that crossed the width of the path

shame about the barrier but I wasn't about to  move it!

 I squelched across the grass to avoid the puddle and went inside


there was colour here

 the silver daisy bush flowers are growing nicely

 and in one of the centre hexagons are some orchids

 I wanted to go to the lake whilst the sun was out  -looking for reflections again

 the meditteranean garden is closed off from both ends ,  it was very soggy you could see

 dogwoods on the island

I love the upside down  "v" patterns the ducks make as they swim

 sweet oak

 I walked back towards the Palm House

 the decorated holly trees that run round the back of the rose garden, and form part of the Christmas Trail

they aren't using so many large baubles this year so haven't had much chance for bauble selfies!

as the sun was shining so brightly I went back to the side of the pond to look at the dogwood again

 as I walked down the Broad Walk again this time without having to juggle my umbrella (other than using it as a walking stick!)

I noticed that there were some early daffodils out - and quite a few more coming through the soil

 I headed for inside the alpine house as I realised I hadn't checked it out before

 it was empty, unusually

 quick walk back through the Princess of Wales glasshouse, orchids but not dragons this time round (well the one was on the rock in the water but couldn't get a better shot)

 came out of a different door to go through the dry tropics section

 back outside and walked back to the Broad Walk - another moody shot

 I decided it was time to head for the train home (half hourly again as the train strike is still on)

it was moodier on the phone!

but facing the other direction the sky was still blue!


a rapid walk down the road to the station, and home



Hope to go again next week (walk off some of the Christmas food excesses!)  so hope you will join me again then!