Kew - spectacular after the frost, in the sun

Today was cold!  we had a heavy frost,the first for ages... but oh boy what spectacular pictures it provided..  sit back and enjoy, you could be a while!

I wrapped up well and headed to the bus... (trains still only half hourly so timings to go, work better by bus)

 despite the bus to Kingston (where I change for the second bus to Kew)  taking forever - I think he was going slowly for fear of icy roads, although they weren't that bad -  I was still first -just!


the sky was blue as I stood at the gate and I admired these trees over the road from Kew

 there was still a heavy frost on the grass as I entered so

 I took a couple of quick photos on my way to my starting point!

 Despite the cold (think it was about 5 degrees C)  it was beautiful and I knew I was in for a treat of a day as I mentioned at the top.

I mean, just look!
sadly the fountain was off again today

stunning reflections

 the primulas in the Palm House beds were frosty - at the top end - at the far end by the start of the Broad Walk, the sun had already done it's work and melted it.





I headed down the Broad Walk - didn't want to miss the frost so rather than head into the warmth of the glasshouses I stayed outside

 hellebores - at the sunny end of the Broad Walk so the frost was already melting

 off to the left (as I was walking)

heavily frosted leaf

 sun shining through a leaf

 euphorbia sparkly with frost

 cardoon leaves

the benches were frosty too!

 leaf litter in the beds

 signs of growth everywhere though - hope we don't get a really cold snap! 

 amazingly there are still a few roses hanging to the triangular structures at the corners of the beds on the Broad Walk

this was on the phone.

it looks like it's been dipped in sugar!

tree dripping with melting frost  as I crossed the grass - I was going to make my way to the lake early

 the waterlily house (closed for winter) sparkling in the frosty sun behind some trees..


I went to look through the windows

the patterns were on the inside.

I took a pic on my phone of the empty inside - they completely empty it to clean and overwinter the waterlilies offsite

 urns at the top of the steps outside the front of the waterlily house with some vibrant colour

 a favourite shot when the sun is low and the sky bright

 the rose garden was very frosty too

 For a minute I thought the hips had been cut back, but they were still there

 looking back as I walked on towards the lake

 hellebores

 witch hazel

 more frosty leaves in the grass

 loved the sun on the witch hazel bushes

and against the sky

a fat robin sat on the branch next to me


(I rarely crop my photos, but have this time)

 as I walked down the steps to the path up to the Temperate House,  the huge shrub that in summer is always smothered in (wasps I think)  was today smothered in these

 close up

 sillhouette.



I still can't see a label though!

 leaf in a frozen puddle

 didn't go in yet, was off to the lake!  on a mission!

 or go up here!

 daffodils emerging under a tree

 I knew it would be perfect here today.

the dogwoods on the little island, absolutely shining with light

(phone)

 dogwoods to the side of the lake crossing

 had to change lens for this tree to get it all in

 and looked back to the lake

 by the bamboo garden

went to see how the rhododendrons are progressing...

 more beautiful tree trunk patterns.

the knot is just like an eye!

there were a lot more flowers out on the pink ones

I know I always say, I know you're not meant to shoot into the sun....

I was nearly back at the lake,

 so I walked back right the way to the top

 willow, covered in soft fluffy buds

 at the far end of the lake

this was on the phone

 more reflections!

 it was time to head to the Temperate House

 in the Temeperate House

 still can't resist stopping at this

 felt a bit sorry for this bird of paradise flower, it seemed to be struggling

 these flowers were teeny

 my lovely silver daisy bush!

 up the stairs....

 reflections in the water

and this is a few steps further, looking back at the same water

 huge tubs in the doorways with pops of colour

 the orchids were looking pretty (and not destined for the POW display, more of that soon)

 still looks like a cartoon face to me!



the second one had fallen off and the "ears" were on the floor

 walking back up the grass past the witch hazels

 more breaking of photographic rules!

 lichens on a tree branch

 winter aconite, outside the Victoria Gate entrance


it was finally time for refreshments (noon!  late today) 

decided on a sausage roll today for extra nourishment and warmth,  and hot chocolate.

it was nice, but they zap it in an oven and over-crisp it so the pastry flaked off badly. 

 heading back out, past the pond  - had to go and check out the POW for water dragons..



there were some children feeding the gulls on the far side so they were flying around

 what a view!

 I went into the POW - they have started installing items for the Orchids festival.


no point asking me what things are as I don't know yet!

they were working on the centrepiece in the pond

 I walked round as much of it as I could (parts were roped off where they were working)  looking for water dragons, but no sign of any today

 have ladder, will decorate a tower!

 lots of "creatures" hanging on the mangroves

and out in the entrance space, lots of boxes of orchids.


there were also lots of parasols suspended - with "Indonesia" on  - so that is obviously the inspiration this year

next door in the alpine house, the scillia flowers have really come on in a week.

the bottom flowers are opening out

 I always forget they do this! 

 sempervivium babies

 quick walk through the rock garden

 and through the Evolution garden


globe artichoke seed heads

 water drops (all the frost has melted now!)

on a euphorbia

 another clump of snowdrops

 the large tree at the top of the Broad Walk

 the beds in front of the Palm House,  the flowers are coming out nicely now

back down the Broad Walk.  in the sun, happy now the frost had gone

 tiny funghi under a tree on my way to the exit

thanks for joining me again!  same time, next week?!