Kew, penultimate Saturday early

 The members early opening ends on 30 September - already, it's flashed by since May!  There was a big crowd of regulars waiting for 8 am today

 

sadly the forecast sunny spells didn't materialise till much later..

the Palm House parterre bedding is still going strong 

and the pots along the pond 

the camera insisted on flash to help with the close up of the dahlia in the bed at the top of the Broad Walk 

Kim thought it was funny how I plant my feet apart to steady my shots.... 

down the Broad Walk 

still some roses climbing up the structure at the half way point 

seedheads

the giant Pagoda tree at the Hive - 

then switched to wide angle at the Carbon Garden 

round the corner towards the evolution garden 

via the bedding along the back of the grass garden 

they've cut most of the leaves back around the squashes and gourds to give them a chance to ripen,  you can see the frame and fruits much better now 

(including those really long ones Jan) 

then off to the evolution garden (other side of the path)

some of the physalis are doing their skeletonising thing I love!  

there were still a few echinacea in the middle bed 

and the teeny little asters are coming into flower

they all look better with sun, so not so many this week!

the roses on the other side of the evolution garden still have several gorgeous blooms left 

then along salvia border in the rock garden 

the acer at the mid-way entrance to the evolution garden is turning rusty autumn shades now 

outside the alpine house, we stopped to talk to Patrick and Joyce 

then walked back along the upper path of the rock garden 

another acer outside the Princess of Wales conservatory

we made our way back to the cafe for early breakfast so we could be at the Temperate House for 10, 

croissant each, and I had brought an M&S gingerbread and white chocolate cookie each for Kim to try as I am addicted to them and she loves ginger....

we were joined by Patrick and Joyce and Lynda briefly.

then it was time to go to the Temperate House

verbena bonariensis in the new bit of the Mediterranean garden

at the top of the steps that lead down to the Temperate House 

we had a few minutes to wait..... 

the new exhibition is called Material World and is a collaboration about fabrics derived from plants and how fashion is influenced.

it's on from today until 2 November (link to Kew website article for more info) 

I am putting this in here so you can see the plan of the TH and what is where... 

this is outside the main doors rather than the end door we used 

there are displays in the two octagons and in the main block

at this stage I had my wide angle on  so the closeups aren't great 

mannekins displaying garments from plant based fibres 

there are display cases around the edge with articles about the designers but the light was bouncing onto the glass so it wasn't possible to photograph them 

fabric display in the central atrium - the photos aren't the best as the sky outside was so grey, it needs a blue sky and sunlight illuminating this - next week hopefully

from underneath 

I don't think you'll be able to read this, sorry

the display in the other octagon is called Threads of the Canopy

once we'd finished we set off for the lake. as we past the treetop walkway I caught sight of this to the left -  by a big fallen tree that's been turned into a seat.

masses of orange fungi 

blogger wants you to see the close ups first!

there were pretty impressive

by the side of the lake crossing 

when we'd met Glad in the Temperate House she said she'd seen the heron and cormorants but not the swan - but she/he was there as we crossed...

we sat at the side of the lake in the usual spot and were surrounded by the Egyptian geese and lots of pigeons! 

the lake is still pretty green, but a bit less than last week 

we walked further along the lake side 

more mushrooms!

a gull flew across my path and sat on the (red) lifesaving post - illuminating it's tummy nicely! 

as we went further along, two ladies stopped us - they were watching a heron at the side of the lake

I don't think it's the same one we normally see, it seems a lot smaller, so possibly a young one.

it didn't stand for photos like "our" one!

autumnal leaves by the heron 

further along the path

far end of the lake 

even on dull days, decent reflections! 

the smoke tree - again, would be so much better against blue sky - but you can see what gives it the name, it does look like puffs of smoke. 

I said to Kim, this tree looks like it's had highlights!

more mushrooms 

as we'd seen so many mushrooms already we went round the children's log trail - and weren't disappointed

through the woodland

when we got to Queen Charlotte's Cottage we say it was open - very rare - we popped in, it's very small. I didn't take any photos but Kim got me going down the stairs 

along holly walk 

Of The Oak - this finishes next week, too. 

it's been great. and people have loved running along in front of it making the blue dots (representing oxygen) 

dance across the screen.

a young girl was having fun today

I don't think this is the same tree as above but I can't find where to slot it in!  

it was very busy in the waterlily house so didn't stop 

and then back past the fountain on the way out

on the other side of the path, the autumn crocus are coming out 

thanks for looking -  hope to see you next week, with some sunshine for the last 8am start!