Kew, extra trip, and a surprise

 I have booked a few days off work this week running up to the Bank Holiday and of course a bonus trip to Kew was in order... 

there was early blue sky - and the parterre beds are being re-planted.

they were already at work, even at 8 am 

I was back several times during my visit and they got lots done

heading down the Broad Walk 

more signs of work - not sure if this is left from yesterday or planned for today (although it was still there unattended later on) 

can't resist the alliums ever

twinkling in the sunshine 

the euphorbia were bright too

the cardoons are growing fast 

roses on the Broad Walk

iris outside the Orangery

and peonies

looking up into the monkey puzzle

I carried on round to take the path along tot he grass garden...

and was thrilled to see the 2 fox cubs in the sun - one dashed under the ground cover immediately but this one stayed a few minutes

gave me time to change lens, too

as I walked past the end of the grass garden at the other end of the path a tractor was towing some plants off for planting....

the wild flower patch outside the Bonsai house is glorious

the longer bed alongside the student plots is mostly daisies still 

walking further along the path through the evolution garden

lovely shadows

poppy beds 

I did get carried away with the light through the petals 

the bees were busy too

peonies.... 

these pink ones were beautiful 

roses 

lots of horticulturists or volunteers (or a mixture) hard at work

that fabulous iris from Saturday

ox eye daisies going mad in the rock garden 

seedheads of the pasqueflowers on the top path of the rock garden

rhododendron in the woodland path

I nearly walked straight into the spray from this...

time for breakfast... oops, chocolate cake! 

near the cafe is a patch of dark golden iris... gorgeous

I went back round past the parterre - look how hard they're working

past the rose garden

these filled a bed and smelled delicious

headed to the lake 

the 8 Egyptian goslings were gathered round this bench for breakfast... 

they are really growing!

I crossed over the lake and went up the stairs (not taking the lift) and walked round the treetop walkway

these 2 squirrels made me laugh, they were chasing about on the top of the railing, the one in the foreground ran towards me 

change of lens to the zoom

looking over the trees to the Palm House

and the Temperate Hosue

went back down the stairs and into the Temperate House

little passionflower 

King William's Temple in the Mediterranean garden

the new wild rose garden that was planted last year is really settling in.  Blogger has put them in reverse order! 

next, into the Palm House

I stumbled across a Titan Arum - never seen one on display here.

I had to wait for a large school group to move before getting my photos...

it's getting smelly, and I bet it will fully open tomorrow 

from the phone.

it's right by the spiral stairs up to the viewing platform 

waterlily house 

I didn't stay long as one of the school groups followed me and it was a bit crowded

I walked over to the Princess of Wales conservatory but had to walk round to the far side as the cacti end was closed - there were workmen on the roof washing the glass

back out and into the rock garden

the gorgeous aloe is growing a flower spike 

outside alpines 

this is the new Carbon garden that is due to be finished for summer...

taking the site of the secluded garden... we are not happy as they have removed that gorgeous slate water feature...

walked back along the Broad Walk 

geums in the Mediterranean garden 

I was heading back towards the Temperate House again

lots of tree blossom

Chinese dogwood

on my way past I went into the TH and up to the viewing platform 

it had gone very grey some time ago!

the flowers on this fabulous plant (whose name I've forgotten) are all now at height..

I meant to go into the Davies Exploration house to see the strawflowers as when I passed it earlier it looked as if there was some event going on, and I meant to check but forgot...

back outside and walking along towards the pagoda

I went up to the waterlily pond on the way to the lake,

moorhen nest 

back at the lake I came across the Egyptian babies 

on my way back to the exit I did dash into the Palm House again just to make sure I hadn't missed the titan arum opening.

but no...

I am going up to London tomorrow to see the ceramic poppies at the Tower, and I can't decide whether to take a (very long) detour on my way home........... it's bound to be over by Saturday!  

thanks very much for looking, see you tomorrow 

(and then on Saturday, in the rain apparently)