Kew in the sun

 I didn't (quite) make it for 8am today, due to a police incident in Kingston on my way, delaying my journey... only 6 minutes "late" though!  

Lovely blue sky and warm, but breezy.  

I headed down the Broad Walk to see if I could find Kim

spiral aloe in the rock garden, flowering

border along the edge of the evolution garden

wildflower bed by the bonsai house

poppies in the evolution garden

roses on the pergola 

by the palm house pond -  I was on my way to catch up with Kim at the lake now

still pausing for Henrys 

these are the nearest to the lake

from the palm house end

having caught up with Kim we crossed the lake

the swans on the far side in shade

Californian Buckeye  

we headed back towards the Victoria cafe for our cup of tea, through the wild rose garden 

there is some gorgeous planting in this relatively new garden 

and lots of huge bushy roses covered in blooms and bees 

no cake this week in protest at the increased prices, I'll be bringing my own snacks in future. 

at least till September the tea is free until 10 for members

Palm House through the trees outside the cafe 

through the legs of the stone lion 

heading round the back of the pond 

gunnera leaf

back at the evolution garden 

through a gap in a hedge 

back at the poppies.  

seedheads of the ones that have finished early

love this variety, gorgeous mix of colour

companion planting in the vegetable garden

outside the POW 

in the alpine house

in the POW 

just a couple of cacti flowering - had to take this through glass 

outside 

the group of 3 Henry's by the junction of the Broad Walk 

as we crossed the Broad Walk 

heading back towards the woodland,

near rhododendron dell (they're finished now)

lots of foxgloves

back along the lake again 

the Egyptian babies are losing their baby fluff and growing proper feathers 

pine

the benches were empty and we sat

the blue tits and great tits don't sit still long!

Goldie appeared from the undergrowth but didn't want to stay around long today

his new tail feathers are growing after molting. 

finally  managed to catch 2 at the same time on Kim's hand 

then it was my turn! 

on our way again,

gingko in the sun 

in the Davies exploration house

strawflowers are back again - looking good 

if I've photographed the right sign, this is an Evergreen Kangaroo Paw  

there are some more by the other door too 

on the slope up to the Temperate House  poppies and dandelions and some other yellow flowers!

inside the Temperate House

the lotus flowers in their tubs are starting to open

they put on such a good display last year, I'm glad to see them again this year too

studying the california poppies!

big display of eyringium in the Mediterranean garden 

some of them spilling over on to the path

walking through the rose garden 

a look at Henry, possibly my favourite,  from the rose garden 

Thanks for looking, glad we stayed dry today, it was lovely!