Kew - nearly time for early opening

 Today is the last weekend in April so the last 10am normal opening.  Luckily the overnight rain had cleared by then!

It was cold, I was back in my warmest coat and my hat !  

they are starting to clear the beds towards the middle, ready for "summer" bedding....

We decided to head to the lake first so went round behind the rose garden

they are still installing the sculptures for the Marc Quinn event that opens next week 

we had a bit of a nosy...

couldn't see a lot.  the sculpture was waiting to be craned out of it's box

we headed across some damp grass (luckily it's been mowed so it wasn't soaking our feet)

towards the lake.  At least all that rain we've had has made everything lushly green!

this is a big branch on a huge tree, love all the moss on top

bluebells at the bottom of trees,  they seem to be spreading around 

as we approached the lake, by the Lockerbie bench, I stopped to change lens.

the Egyptian goslings and their parents rushed over, thinking we had food..

he/she was right under my feet!

Dad (or mum) got up on the bench next to me

such pretty colourings 

all 3 babies have survived (so far) and are growing FAST

these mandarins also came for a look

there are 3 of them but one keeps slightly separate from the pair

as we started to cross the lake one of the swans swam alongside...  the other one is apparently on a nest  

not really enough light for much reflection 

there were lots of footprints on the crossing!  

the leaves on this tree were quite red..

this branch had little trees (well ok leaves) growing out of it

this tree looks rusty - there are 2 others that seem to be turning the same way.

we're not sure what this effect is

there is so much wild garlic everywhere this year. 

and cow parsley

fair few dandelions too

the treetop walkway hidden by the new tree growth

we didn't go up.  

playing with modes on the camera with bluebells in the background

into the davies exploration house to check out the daisies as we missed them last week

even as they fade they are beautiful

I stood on the wall that surrounds the beds.  

it's narrow so I have to be careful

but I like to get them from above

the bottle brushes are looking good too

and so is this 

we were only able to get into the further end sections of the Temperate House as they had closes the rest preparing for the Marc Quinn event 

emerging bird of paradise flowers.  they look like the birds are craning their necks!

some are out...

they have a few rhododendrons in here 

hadn't realised I had got the water drops on this

we snuck a look over the screen at the doorway at part of what is coming!

will be sharing next week!

this always fascinates me !

very odd!  

then it was out to the tulips

no white ones left at all now

I think these dark purple ones are my favourites

I had to lift the rope out of the way 

losing petals but still pretty! 

looking down into this pink one 

up in the new beds at the Mediterranean garden

the ceanothus, bit more in focus this week 

gorgeous delphinium 

I was trying to get the Temperate House in the background too

it's hard getting up again with the rucksack on my back, it weighs me down!  

the Judas tree from the upper level

euphorbia

scabious growing out of the wall at the side of the steps

down for a closer look

we headed back towards the Victoria cafe

just a few bits of blossom left now

it was a day for warm refreshments!  

round by the back of the pond and they are starting to plant in a new bed (extended along from the gunnera)

hostas 

I am sure they measure how much they grow each week, it's definitely a lot!

it wasn't really sunny but a bit more light

towards the evolution garden next 

blogger is now putting them out of order!

this is nearer the pond by the hill with the temple

this gorgeous spread of euphorbia, bright acid yellow, really messed with my eyes and I couldn't tell if it was focused or not

it's fabulous though

Kim rested against a bench sensibly

they left the hydrangea seed heads, the new leaves and flowers are now coming through.  

there are poppies coming out, the bees were loving this one it was full of pollen

we had regretted not going down to the far end of Kew with the camassia drifts by the river, but this patch in the evolution garden was pretty good 

in the rock garden

and then in the alpine house

I hadn't been able to take the hat off all morning, crazy at the end of April to be wrapped up like this!  

outside the alpine house

into the Princess of Wales conservatory now

then we headed to the Broad Walk (out of order here....)

Kim was heading home via the Elizabeth gate exit to visit her brother on her way  and I was going the other way

loads of starlings pecking in the grass 

these lovely orange tulips are going over 

here I am,  heading home!

I knew I would miss a train so I paused for a few more photos 

at the bed at the end of the Broad Walk

and this is in front of the Palm house

the tulips in the tubs along the pond are nearly finished too

and the final ones, at the entrance in the big tubs, we never stop to take photos of these on the way in!!

they are gorgeous too.

Thanks for looking, you'll need to be up early next week, we're allowed in at 8 and we can't wait!!

Really looking forward to seeing the Marc Quinn sculptures.