Kew - and some sun!

 This could have been a very different blog post... 

I went to take my opening shot and the camera wouldn't fire...

I know I charged the battery after last week, but there was no sign of life!

but luckily I carry spares!  

Kim wanted to visit the parts of Kew she hadn't caught up with since her broken ankle, so we headed in a different direction to usual.

round the side of the Palm House.  (there was a really lovely reflection of some big trees in the window above the door, but the camera didn't capture it..)

the Yoshino cherry trees planted around the Rose Garden are starting to flower

I was stopping to change lens...

for some closeups

this robin was singing his head off on the top of the holly bush

we headed for the lake first, but noted the magnolias in the distance for later!

trees are turning green...

close to the water's edge, this salix was beautiful 

then we headed to the woodland walk, we decided not to climb over the log trail!

lots of daffodils out

some snowdrops left too, but mostly they have gone

I liked the way this ivy was climbing round a tree

and we found some bracket funghi

and blossom coming out 

then we headed towards the Redwoods 

this tree looked "on the wonk" I hope it is stable

we both love this tree stump

as I was taking this I said to Kim I thought it looked like a bear with his arms in the air...

the angle on my phone was a bit better

then at the Japanese garden we found some more cherry blossom 

fatsia

Kim went in closer

more cherry trees 

the sun was kind of shining 

having Kim back means .....

we were pleased the sky was turning blue ready for the magnolias!

cherry tree outside the Temperate House

Heading inside, Kim nearly fell up the steps, yikes, don't want another breakage..

inside and recovering we loved the light through this big false banana leaf 

the tubs of narcissus are gorgeous

beautiful red leaf (Limonium spectabile apparently)

from the Canary Islands

we had to go and check out my favourites!

whilst in here we both shed gloves, scarves, my hat....

we decided to head for refreshments and a rest!

ivy

seem to have tilted the Temperate House, taken through the ivy at the top of the steps 

the tulips in the grass under the cherry trees are growing well 

pleased to see a bee out collecting pollen!

I think this is broom.

gorgeous bright yellow.

more blossom 

still lots of crocus, in the sun, still a bit muddy on the ground so no lying on the grass still 

as we were so close to the magnolias we decided to visit them before the cafe.

it was a little cloudy but also patches of blue.

hopefully this gives an idea of how tall they are!

as you approach them, first are some more cherry trees 

full of blossom 

so different to last week when I couldn't get close for muddy puddles!

SUN!! 

the blue sky helps so much!

as the petals start to fall the middles reveal themselves

there was a deeper pink variety to one side 

then it was time to enjoy the blue sky backdrop

this fly looks like he was sunbathing!

lush!

still more to come though

patches of crocus by the side of the magnolias

we tore ourselves away to go find food!

we were closest tothe Orangery restaurant and had hoped to sit outside but the tables were full

so inside it was..  it was also noon by now and a long queue for "proper" tea and cake so a more snacky (self service) coffee and biscuit for me and cold drink and biscuit for Ki

it's a lovely building though...

she was at it again!

Kim says I am praying for blue skies... 

from here, we headed for the Princess of Wales conservatory, now re-open after the removal of the orchid display...

taking the path that runs past the monkey puzzle tree

with a quick diversion to the big magnolia near the Elizabeth gate entrance 

alpine house

there were still a few tubs and baskets of orchids left but the big displays and animals are all gone 

we found a passionflower too 

the upper level was now open 

not a huge amount up there in flower certainly not

I could see the jade vine down below was looking good so we went round that way on our way out of the POW

the fern corridor, from a low level 

outside, this huge tree is along the path near the Duke's garden... in leaf , more signs of spring

alpine house..

it was busy in there today

these have really opened since last week

looking even more tortoise-like today

sun on a daffodil (evolution garden, our route back to the exit)

last week I took these in pouring rain!

the berries on the sacred bamboo (that isn't a bamboo) 

skeleton hydrangea!

still going strong. 

magnolia at the end of the evolution garden

and we finished with a walk round the back of the pond past this ....

Thanks for looking, much nicer with blue sky isn't it!  

See you next week.