Kew - another beautiful autumn day

 It is back to the normal winter 10am opening now.. made sure I was there in good time  - in fact early enough to have breakfast at the cafe up the road still be first in line!

  

the beds are still empty but are being banked up with green manure - layers of compost.

had to play shadow pics again  

the trees at the end of the Broad Walk are really taking on colour

and dropping to the floor too - the sound of the wind in the leaves today was magical

it was a day for sunglasses for sure

first off, down the Broad Walk

not a huge amount of colour left, as they're cutting back for the season,

but still some hardy geraniums

complete with overnight raindrops

and on the alchemilla molis 

there had been a long queue behind Kim and I at the gate and people were streaming in

the raindrops on the euphorbia were glittering in the sun

the Pagoda tree opposite the Hive, one of the oldest trees in Kew

missed going inside the alpine house today, will check out the scilla next week

instead we walked across the end of the rock garden

the late flush of red hot poker still going strong

the frames in the vegetable garden have been stripped of the hanging squashes and gourds so you can see through to the Evolution Garden the other side of the path

and the long gourd/squash ( not sure) that were hanging down from the struts all those week, are on the pile of veg waiting sale

the tagetes are still vibrant 

so is the chard

crossing the path into the evolution garden

the leaves are always in the wrong place so it was hold them out of the way with one hand and shoot photos one-handed

the best ones are always right in the middle of the flower bed and hard to get to

loads of colourful flowers though

the fennel is still fabulous but the sun wasn't quite on it yet

these dinky little blue flowers were glistening with water drops

so were the asters

I went round to the other side of the bed to get closer to the little flowers

kneeling down for a bird's eye view against the sky

fluff!  

teasel

we walked back through the other half of the evolution garden

past roses

still plenty of flowers

and sunlight shining through plants

agapanthas seeds

we'd seen the acer in the rock garden from the end of the path and had to check it out... through the wall 

in the sun it was just stunning

ducking under the hanging leaves

the salvias were still looking good

turning for another look at the acer

then walking back along the path to the end of the rock garden

and then the red maple outside the Princess of Wales conservatory

plants outside the POW

the red maple, in the sun

the big tree at the top of the Broad Walk

plane trails... lots of planes today heading to and from Heathrow

heading round past the Palm House

empty beds showing the shapes well

the Yoshino cherry trees round the rose garden are starting to turn

just had to reboot as the internet went off.  blogger back to reversing photos.

gorgeous colours on the trees in the lake

time to feed the ducks

they soon came running!

the robin didn't stay long though

as we walked across to the seat to feed the ducks we saw this again, always forget what it's called

some phenomenon of autumn damp mornings 

the Breach, (mirrors)  still there.. still wondering if it's staying permanently

ok let's see if the next lot load in order!

ok, as we were... walking across the lake I noticed the heron on a branch on a different tree- bit too far away to see well, even with the longest extension on the zoom

lots of gulls today, was like being at the seaside

headed towards the Treetop Walkway

made it up without stopping partway...

the new lift is still under construction 

lovely clouds and a great view today.

been so long since I was able to climb to the top, it's been shut for ages

peering over the railing

the trees are still in full leaf so the Wembley Arch from the football stadium is hidden at present

you can see the Mexico display inside the Temperate House

the inner workings of the lift - well, the work in progress 

as we reached the bottom again we noticed they've obviously had a disaster with one of the large glass panels of the lift-  oops...

took the path along towards the Japanese garden

past a large bed of colchicum - with a sign explaining their nickname of "naked ladies" as they don't grow leaves till spring

berries

fatsia I think

and I think this is muscari

at the Japanese garden, the trees are just turning

must make sure to check back regularly!

we headed back the way we'd come noticing round the other side of the fatsia, the callicarpa berries

more reversed pics... walking back towards the Palm House

the colours are so varied

and there were some beautiful leaves

lots on the floor too, for scuffling through

it was starting to drizzle,  just a light shower

as we got to the end of the pathway I'd just said that we;d not seen any mushrooms

and looked to my right under a big tree...

tiny, but funghi! 

heading for the exit and the way home, I realised  I'd not looked at the big maple by the temple of Bellona but was in danger of missing a bus so grabbed a shot from the other side of the road

once again it was a long frustrating journey home.. but never mind the day was gorgeous (rained as I got on the bus!)

Kim sent me these couple she snuck of me

by the colchicum

and the sculpture, near the POW 

hope you've enjoyed today's trip , thanks for looking.