Kew - a day late!

 So as I was otherwise occupied at Lords yesterday, it was Kew on Sunday. I didn't set the alarm for "kew" time as usual thinking the traffic would be lighter and the bus wouldn't take as long (I was right)

I was still first in line but shortly joined by some regulars from Saturday who were surprised to see me today!

it was quite overcast and fresh first thing, but did improve

new bedding outside the Palm House is settling in and growing

down the Broad Walk

lots of poppies at the edge of the bed

some summer favourites re-appearing

being organic, Kew rely on natural predators to eat the blackfly!

my FB memories from a few years ago show the alliums still in full colour at this stage - they were early this year 

at the end of the Broad Walk the sun came out and lit up Henry , 

with a view through to Kew Palace!

ginkgo in the sun

towering trees

monkey puzzle 

I looked into the Duke's garden from the gate and went to investigate the purple I could see -  gorgeous geraniums

my favourite wildflower beds

they're looking good today

lots just inside the veg garden too 

the roses are fabulous

evolution garden poppies

good to see the eryngium back (sea holly)

and the echinops

lots of achillea

roses above your head

and in the beds

sunlight through leaves 

slightly falling delphiniun in the round bed at top of Broad Walk

walking through the Rose garden

Two Rings Henry

heading to the lake 

I think this is one of my favourites 

trying for different views and angles

just beyond them, lots and lots of geese on the grass 

to the side

I changed to the long zoom so I could get close without disturbing them

the babies are growing fast!  

they didn't mind me fairly close 

at the lake the swans were in the lake 

the Egyptian goslings are shedding baby fluff too

I walked up to the end of the lake 

Sion Place through the Henry (that's the other side of the river) 

 cut across to the woodland,  the Alice Mad Hatter tea party table 

the children's log walk 

another Henry through trees 

walking through the woodland 

no sign of Goldie, although I didn't stop and wait long to see if he turned up, there was someone there reading so I didn't want to disturb him,  and I wanted my cup of free tea !

they had some different cakes - although I went for carrot - this time a big round one with (smaller!) slices - and it's gone up..... 

it was lovely carrot cake though I am not sure it was worth the higher price!  

as I sate and ate my cake it reached 10 and lots of non member visitors came in,

heading round the lake towards the Princess of Wales conservatory 

flowering cacti outside POW

and inside

there were lots with flowers....

some not yet fully open 

blogger is changing the order you're seeing my walk through POW.. don't have time to swap them

orchid room 

in the new bit

outside POW

achillea - Carbon Garden 

helenium

big alliums

wildflowers looking even better this week 

paused on a bench

smoke tree by the Hive

back along the Broad Walk 

through the arched leg of Henry across the pond 

walked through a very humid Palm House

and outside to the beds in front 

low angle view 

heading for the exit

willow tree on the side of the pond

sat on the memorial bench for a final low angle view,

several  geese here too.  

thanks for looking - back to normal Saturday visit next week (although I think it'll be a wet one!)

it was a shorter visit today (though not fewer pics) as I had things to do at home, including the Monaco Grand Prix which started whilst I've been doing this!