back to Kew

I booked another time slot for Kew for this morning - I discovered that you can book from 8am but went for 9am to give me a bit of a lie in.  It was a much better forecast than 2 weeks ago when I went

 I was there early so popped into Sainsburys by the station for a pastry for some extra breakfast and strolled across the bridge in the sun

 I dawdled along stopping to take a few photos of the graveyard outside the church on Kew Green in shadowy sun

 and some pretty flowers

I stopped for a selfie too - I had worn my mask from Annie (Sewingbyannie) today  and my new long awaited for haircut!

  I was still at the gates before my timed slot,but was allowed in early as it was quiet inside...

the sky was gloriously blue as you can see and the air warm

 whilst the main fountain in the pond wasn't on, a little one at the front was (think they use this at Christmas normally for the Christmas display)

the glasshouses are now open (but not until later)  so I headed along the Broad Walk first as usual.

 the allium seed heads were beautiful in the sunlight

as I drew level with the Hive I noticed a child running round the path outside, so I thought it must be open again.

 as I was photographing the plants down the Broad Walk, a couple sitting on a bench eating their breakfast asked me what I did with them - so I told them about my blog.

 isolating single stem of these pretty flowers.

 echinacea

 the hardy geraniums were absolutely brilliant, literally, in the sun

 at the end of the borders I cut across to the path that leads to the Hive

 the wild flower meadow had been cut back once already but was re-growing in places

as I walked down the path from the Hive I noticed a display board on a seat about all the bees found at Kew so took a pic on my phone

hope you can read it

 then walked round to the Evolution garden

poppy seedheads

 the agapanthas are in flower now

 there were hundreds of bees everywhere

 I went to find the eryngium (sea holly) again - still looking gorgeous

echinops

 I got a coffee and cake and came to sit in the sun to enjoy it

limited choice of cake - individual things that can be wrapped no big round cakes you can just have a slice of - but enjoyable nevertheless

Julia thinks this is too milky - but I don't like strong coffee so it was perfect for me!


(cake is raspberry and white chocolate "loaf" - sponge cake really, and one I've had many times )

 then I walked to the Temperate House

 they are operating a one way system and of course - naturally! - I approached from the exit end!







once in - and there are sanitising dispensers at the entrance -

you can only walk down the central path, the side parts (and the walkway)  are shut off to avoid people getting too close and coming across one another from the wrong direction

they'd just been watering

 then I walked round to the Lake

and sat on a bench in the sun for a few minutes again

 and then walked up to the top of the lake

 and down Cedar Vista past swathes of hydrangeas

and back down the parallel walk with the Pagoda in the distance

 back at the Palm House, there was a line of people waiting to go in - limiting the numbers inside at any one time, so I didn't bother today

 the pretty little daisies growing in the bricks down the side of the pond, tumbling up the wall

I headed for the Princess of Wales glasshouse

 where again there was sanitiser at the door, and a one way system, and only a small part of the glasshouse available to walk through

 so not able to get through to see where the Chinese water dragon might be...

but I could see my favourite grevillea on the way out

 outside, with the alpine house in the distance - when I had walked past earlier it was still closed but seemed to be mostly empty of planting so didn't bother going back to check

 instead I doubled back to the Broad Walk
and headed to the station for my train home

 pausing for some alliums!

 and some clouds above

and the rowers are back on the Thames, with the opening of rowing clubs as part of the lockdown easing.


Hope you've enjoyed today's trip as much as I did again - it was beautiful!!