A New Year, a new year of visits to Kew

 Saturday rolled round again and time to visit Kew.   forecast was heavy rain all the time I would be there, which luckily didn't materialise.

but, it was very very dull and drizzly 

Kim and I headed down the Broad Walk first but there wasn't much to see - lots of mulching of the beds has been taking place though, and I saw some tips of daffodils poking through in places.  Hurrah! 

then round to the grass garden (alpine house )

by this time I was trying to juggle with the umbrella as well

we then went into the Princess of Wales conservatory  

there were some tubs of very pretty orchids 

which we wondered if they'd be used as part of the Orchid Festival next month

the light levels were really low today and it was quite dark inside, so the close up mode kept trying to trigger the flash, which I don't like...

so some slightly fuzzy photos

blogger is playing havoc with the order again...

there are new waterlilies growing in the pond on the ground level

hanging basket by the door out into the cactus area,  love these pretty pink spiky flowers

with the delicate red markings on the centre 

took the steps down the side of the pond to get eye level with the water

we thought this cactus looked like a load of Christmas trees

aloe vera! 

we walked back round the pond

pausing for some close ups on a big tree

and the rings on the top of a post

and stopping to smell the delicious perfume on this 

no label I could see, and I don't know what it is.

we headed for a drink...

the lemon meringue muffin I had today was a bit disappointing... 

walking along Camellia walk, the flash insisting on firing again 

the witch hazels have been moved from their previous location to a new area, and this one was out

the plants are further back in the bed here though so couldn't get very close sadly

they've got lots of dogwood amongst them too

they've moved the hellebores too, that used to be in the same area as the witch hazel

had to cheat and lift this flower to get a good photo

there wasn't masses of colour today, but we both liked all the trees covered in mosses and lichen

thee are lots of Egyptian Geese at Kew this winter

these 2 were near the lake

looking across the lake towards the mirrors 

some dull reflections

the lake level was very high, and had overflowed the path in areas   -  we've obviously had lots of rain!

we headed to play with the mirrors...

I had the wrong lens on and it was too muddy to put the bag down to change lens..

so after this I switched to the phone

you can see how muddy the ground is where it's been trampled, all the grass has gone

how many Kim's?!  

Kim was taking photos of  me

taking photos of her...

and then back on the path, interrupting her reflection photo trying to de-muddy my boots

more lichen covered branches

and some little buds,  flash firing again!

the trunk of this ash tree has these strange orangey stains on,  I am not sure if this is something to do with ash dieback disease which is affecting trees or something else 

magnolia trees are budding

back on the Broad Walk heading to the exit

grey skies still behind the massive trees

and then it was time to head home

a long bus journey again - more train strikes today -  really looking forward to be able to getting a train home soon! 

Thanks for looking, see you next week.