Kew

 There was no sun today, but none of the forecast rain either... 

Kim caught me taking my opening shot from a different angle today

still good reflections despite none of the glorious blue sky from last week 

we decided to head to the lake first 

which took us along a little of the Christmas light trail 

this is an orchestra - complete with music stand  and a baton - sadly it doesn't work in the daytime so I'd like to know what visitors can do to interact with the lights.

there wasn't much wildlife at the lake, gulls, and pigeons and one Canada goose... no sign of the heron 

so we soon headed on our way

across the lake

I kept walking under rain soaked branches 

still some colour reflecting in the lake 

we went round the children's log trail again -  looking through a hole in one of the logs 

we found groups of funghi on tree trunks

and along the side of the path

at the woodland walk 

we took the turning to the old bird feeder bit

as we approached Kim started whistling toGoldie

and we were rewarded, he was by the benches but raced up the path towards us - moving as fast as RoadRunner!  

then round towards Queen Charlotte's cottage 

we found lots of teeny funhi 

and some a bit bigger

and then the red ones again 

looking a bit battered this time 

heading back towards the Pagoda 

lichen covered branches

everything was very wet 

leaves on the floor  so colourful 

near the Pavilion cafe 

time for tea!

the seats were a bit damp but we sat outside 

carrot cake today - same prices as the brownie but bigger!

it was quite  mild still  

outside the gallery near the winter garden

which is starting to look colourful 

we headed along the grass past the Palm House 

and then on to the Princess of Wales conservatory.

I should have got the cloth out to clear the lens (but used my jumper)

orchid room 

these were new

the girl who is often painting the orchids was there this week I snuck this photo 

aloe in the arid section on our way out again 

acer in the rock garden 

alpine house 

as we walked back through the rock garden towards the evolution garden,

we were amazed to see snowdrops out under the acer on the corner

(My photo I was taking was blurred though)

gingko leaf in the EG - looking like a butterfly

our friend Phyllis (physalis)  

rose hips on the pergola through the EG 

back at the Palm House, some of the lights were on- in the rose garden 

we'd seen earlier on our way past the pond, that there were people walking across  so we'd made sure to come back this way to give it a go 

it was great to be in the middle of the lights 

shame there was no blue sky like last week though 

it looked fab though 

I bet at night it would be gorgeous - they light up different colours as there was a FB post by Kew yesterday when they opened.

I bet they have to limit the number of people on the walkway though 

what a treat! 

then it was into the shop to take advantage of members 20% discount (did a bit of shopping, some of it even for other people for Christmas!!)

and then home  pausing for the bauble tree at the entrance 

thanks for looking, see you next week