Another cold walk at Kew

 No sun this week though.. but lots to see.

it was a bit foggy, and not particularly frosty, but very cold.  I was layered up with thermals, two pairs of socks, two jumpers, hat, scarf, gloves... you get the picture 

the pond at the Palm House was partly frozen near  the edges.

I was early enough to go to the cafe up the road from Kew before it opened (and still be first in line at the gate)

It also saved time as I didn't stop for further refreshments whilst at Kew...

right, where was I....

the winter bedding is starting to flesh out and bring some colour to the beds in front of the Palm House

and the dogwoods along the side of the pond brought some colour

4 Egyptian geese (I know, there's only 2 here) walked past me 

as I went to look closer at the dogwood

obligatory shot with the Palm House behind...

before heading along the Broad Walk

there's been a lot of clearing going on for winter, but the euphorbia were still there

a bit of Christmas off to the side 

quite a lot of silvery grey along the Broad Walk 

low growing silvery plant, not sure what it was.  I managed to get down to photograph it, getting up again was harder!

tree at the end 

this is such a beautiful tree

I headed round the back of the Broad Walk bed,  all seed heads here now

that beautiful tree again from a different angle

monkey puzzle tree

heading to the grass garden

and into the alpine house

out in the rock garden, there were some aloe tucked into holes in the rocks that didn't need protection from frost (the big spiral aloe which is in an exposed spot in the rock garden, is wrapped in fleece)

the porcelain berry vine still full of colour

edgworthia

the physalis still looking fabulous

echinops 

seed heads at the far end of the evolution garden, looking all soft and  fluffy

mahonia 

not masses int he Princess of Wales conservatory, 

the lady artist was there painting again though

there were some passionflowers out though

I walked round the side of the POW to see Snapper again 

as it wasn't pouring with rain this time, I went in for some close ups!  

i think he's kinda cute!  

a bit further round from Snapper are some "glasshouses"  they were pretty

magnolia buds coming 

the robins at the cross roads of the Broad Walk

walking back to the pond/palm house

there were still hips in the rose garden, although they were looking a bit frost-damaged 

new planting on the way to the Temperate House

walking through the Temperate House 

the orchids were looking good

thee was a tree fern at the foot of the steps to the viewing platform stopping people going up 

these were so pretty 

phymosia umbellata

aeonium 

this is called paint brush

another aloe.

I walked up towards the Pagoda 

and then to the 

Japanese garden 

the gravel hidden behind the purple!  

walking towards the lake

still a few hydrangea with colour

at the pond halfway to the lake

I'd forgotten to check on this beauty the last couple of weeks

so many reds and golds on its leaves 

at the top of the lake

I walked along side the lake and disturbed the heron which was stood on the path but it flew off and the shot I took was blurred

my favourites

I went up to the top of the Treetop Walkway for an arial view 

because of the lighting rigs for the Christmas trail you can't walk right round the walkway

in the exploration house for the strawflowers

as I headed back past the Temperate House, 

yellow leaved holly 

the trees on cherry walk are wired for Christmas with changing colours; which don't show up in daylight well

I'd already packed the camera away as I headed to the exit when I walked past this tree

that's it for today, thanks for looking, see you next week - and happy December at Kew!