After the storm - return to Kew

 So last week the UK was battered by another storm, Storm Darragh, and Kew had to remain closed again.  Today however, they were open once more.  Kim and I were first in line (Obviously!) -despite me having had a late night out from my office Christmas party

and look, even blue sky!

I'd wrapped up well but it wasn't actually very cold... 

the dogwood round the pond still creating good reflections

we headed into the Princess of Wales conservatory first

I was surprised to see one of the Aeoniums  in their new arid area, flowering.  I didn't know they did that 

view from the top of the steps of the desert section

into the upper level of the tropical bit

I'd seen a Facebook post in the week about the 4th Titan Arum of the year about to flower... which it did in mid week, and is now starting to collapse.

this is seen from the upper level 

downstairs in the orchid room

and then through to check the Titan Arum

we went back out the way we'd come in, blogger reversing the next few pics...

looking back at the cactus in the cabinets

spiky euphorbia with flowers

splash of pink from the nerines in the alpine house

little Paperwhite narcissus smelling gorgeous

walking through the rock garden I noticed that under the acer at the corner near salvia border, were early snowdrops opening.-   they are always early in this spot

not much happening in the Evolution garden, a few Physalis left 

next stop, the Palm House 

back outside again we headed off towards the winter garden where there would be colour

walking through the new wild rose garden 

and along Camellia walk 

to the winter garden

skimmia

mahonia

dogwood

love the white stems with the black leaves under, and the red behind 

prunus flowering 

i had to change lens for the raindrops 

there are lots of dogwood throughout the winter garden

the witch hazel are just starting to flower too, so we'll be keeping an eye on them 

outside the gallery, couldn't resist another look at this even though it's not lit in daylight 

great tree line against the sky - not so much blue just for now.

into the Temperate House

base of a yucca

was pleased to see this flowering again 

and somewhat surprisingly a bird of paradise 

we headed to the pavilian cafe for refreshments- tea and croissant for Kim, hot chocolate and chocolate fudge cake for me

I didn't think to take a close up of the pattern on the hot chocolate, but Kim did!

the sun had come out now and I couldn't see what I was doing!  

then we headed towards the lake - with the sun out we were hoping for gorgeous reflections.

the sun was bright through the leaves of the trees

one of the stalls for the Christmas at Kew

Kim had some monkey nuts for the squirrels 

near the lake crossing we saw signs of one of the 8 or so trees that Kew had lost during the storm last week.  

we weren't disappointed with the sky and the reflections 

of course blogger is messing with the order, 

there were birds flying about and splash-landing in the lake but we kept missing them

we sat on a seat at the side of the lake for a bit...

missed these landing too 

trying to capture the sun in the lake 

gulls flew past...

reflection of tree

sort of got these ones !

we headed back towards the Victoria gate and the shop - I was hoping to get some more of my Christmas shopping done!

Palm House from the rose garden as we passed 

rose garden resting for winter

and a sunny closing shot to contrast with the opening shot!

Thanks for looking, hope to see you again next week for my last pre-Christmas visit!