Kew

 Hello, welcome.  This week and next, Kew are letting members in at 9am for the Easter holidays and their children's event, featuring "Bluey" a TV cartoon programme I understand.  there was a big crowd waiting by 9.  

the forecast was warm, sunny and breezy... well we got the warm, and the breezy, but not the sunny. 

the tubs along the pond are full of tulips and primulas 

they were really pretty

the Palm House beds are mainly daffodils, some are going over

but in the beds in the middle (that we can't get close to) are some double varieties that look great still. 

the bed at the end of the path along the pond

more orange tulips in the bed at the top of the Broad Walk 

low angle 

and on the phone 

we headed down the Broad Walk 

the tulips were blowing in the breeze

these too 

off to the right between the Broad Walk and Princess of Wales, there is plenty of blossom left

but we carried on down the Broad Walk

these stripy tulips are beautiful

and these pale daffodils with their creamy centres 

it's a shame the sun wasn't shining, to make the petals translucent

spotted a small snail on this one

and a bigger one in this orange one in the next drift

another euphorbia

turning to the left path - the glory of the snow has mostly gone now

but at the end of the drift, in amongst the daisies, some was left 

last week the lilac beds were behind cordons where the fun run was being marshalled

the smell was delicious

big yellow magnolia at a crossroads 

we took the path towards the Rhododendron dell and then the Woodland Walk

the rhodies are starting to flower

this was also part of the "Bluey" trail 

I imagine the umbrellas are significant to the programme...

there were lots of people following the trail, going in the other direction to us

blogger is dictating the order again, but no matter 

the hellebores are under-planting 

as we approached the end of the path through the rhododendrons we saw that the drifts of beautiful blue camassia are growing well and starting to bud up so hopefully the flowers will be out soon.  Must come back to check before too long 

I was diverted by this again this week, at the far end of the path 

I wish I knew what it was 

it spreads as you can see!

bloody blogger!!   

along the Woodland Walk 

petals in a muddy puddle

a sleeping bee 

as we headed down the Woodland Walk (blogger allowing)  we saw the first of the bluebells-  which is why we particularly came this way

the wild garlic is flowering too, there were wafts of it's distinctive scent where I took the photo  6 above!

here you go! 

there'll be lots more bluebells out soon 

who can resist a dandelion head... well I didn't disperse this one but I came across one a little further along...

the area around Queen Charlotte's Cottage has had some attention,

they've cut back lots of rhododendrons on the corner

the cottage 

just round the corner we found the bear,

left from a several years ago wood carving feature at Kew

the little pond along Cedar Vista

and the lake

there was a bit of a noise going on amongst the geese and ducks on the lake -  it's mating season and I think they are starting to protect nests 

you might catch the geese landing in the water

we came across Peter here who was feeding them

causing more of a frenzy!

we had to go and check out the daisies in the Davies Exploration House near the Temperate House

I am getting so cross with blogger reversing the order....

they were still looking great!

it's neighbour in the bed

ah, this odd thing I saw last week is a bottle brush!

crossing the path to the Temperate House - it was seriously breezy here -  pausing to get this big tree on the way

near the far door a tub with bird of paradise is coming into flower

taking a different view

looking through the door....

echium

they have several in pots round the window cills in the middle section

big geranium in a pot - the leaves are mostly at the foot of the plant 

another echium

climbing on the spiral staircase from the viewing platform 

patch of funghi on the way to the exit

a hint of sun through the window lit this nicely

outside - the cherry trees are developing 

the tulips underneath seem to be mostly white this year, Kim and I couldn't decide if that was deliberate, or just they've regrown before the darker varieties, or what..

down low ...

Kim taking me taking them down low...

Kim getting blown about by the wind

we headed back to the Victoria gate cafe for something to eat/drink

we came across the preparation for the next feature coming at Kew - some big sculptures from Mark Quinn 

there will be about 20 apparently,  for now behind bars as it's not ready yet

but I hope we'll be able to get closer to play with reflections!

we were lucky to get a table, it was getting busy...

( had red velvet cake with my tea)  Kim had gone back in to get the milk for hers which they'd forgotten...

before heading round the pond - the gunnera are growing quickly 

the cherry blossom near the Princess of Wales conservatory

into the POW 

neither Kim nor I remembered seeing these flowers before..

there were some higher up, open

we walked along the top path through the rock garden

snakes head fritillary

looks like we've missed the most of the pasque flowers - they traditionally flower around Easter time (which being early this year I didn't think would be out so soon)   and some of them are already setting seed

we took some steps down into the rock garden

muscari - grape's head hyacinth

the waterfall

the flower on the "tortoise"  aloe

it's so cute 

teeny tiny flowers in the alpine house

outside looking across the cut-down grass garden

the outdoor waterlily pond,  tinting the water blue

there were  2 Egyptian geese on the edge drinking 

then we walked through the evolution garden -  the rose pergola is coming back to life - to the exit and home. 

Thanks for looking, hope you enjoyed.  See you again next week!