Kew - another dull day

 Another trip to Kew - not as cold today but no sun.  

Sit back and enjoy!  

I started at the Palm House as I was early and went to the main entrance,  (first in line) but then went back on myself

to catch the colour 

then decided to do the glasshouses before queues built up - although most of the visitors were families going to see the half term Gruffalo trail (after the children's book)

I avoided them as far as possible!

I had the Palm House to myself...

you can see the arrow to follow the one way troute

but I peered round what corners I could

looking back along the way I'd come.  still no-one else in with me!  

quite a privelige

I crossed the path to the waterlily house - also had to myself

this beauty is just outside the waterlily house

as I walked across the grass I nearly stumbled over this tiny group of funghi

I cut through the first gap in the border along the Broad Walk..

and under the trees between the Broad Walk and the Princess of Wales glasshouse

which I also had to myself!!

no sign of chinese water dragons, but I did catch sight of this massive flower (?) hanging down on a tree

couldn't see what it is though

blogger has loaded these next few out of order but I can't be bothered to delete and start again.

my favourite, of course

the other side of the path,  a large shrub labelled lilac fuschia,

was covered in bunches of berries

and opened flowers

growing in the little bed by the water that runs round the outside of the POW

at the side of the path alongside the grass garden

inside the alpine house

Aeonium in the rock garden ( I had one of these once when they were newly introduced as pot plants to the UK..  I was still married at the time so it much be over 30 years ago when I had it.  we managed to kill it!)

Now they live happily outside (in mild climates)

the gorgeous huge acer at the edge of the rock garden

into the evolution garden looking to my right as I entered

and to my left across the vegetable garden - didn't go closer today

looking back through the archway

sedums

checking on progress on the physalis

what a tangle they grow in!

but it was rewarding!

across the other side of the path I saw a patch of colour

this

and this, a remaining burst of colour on the same plant

the asters are still hanging on...

and a few of the yellow rudbeckia... still looking good in drifts though

dahlia

I don't recall seeing euphorbia changing colour like this 

this burst of red caught my eye...

winged spindle tree , according to the label

I walked back round by the pond and headed to get a drink

I found a bench to sit on, it wasn't wet or particularly cold today!  

decided to have hot chocolate though with my raspberry and almond loaf!

on my way to the gallery to look at the Paradise Lost exhibition I couldn't resist taking another photo of this magnificent tree again

I walked along the path rather than the grass,  and was quite surprised to see some early camellias blooming already

those huge funghi from last week had collapsed and nearly all disappeared

there were quite a few people scuffling in the fallen leaves of this beech

I went into the gallery

once again it was empty, I don't think many people have discovered it yet

I just love the texture and patterns

I have discovered it is called Mirror Pavilion not Passing through as I thought  - and you may be interested to read a blog detailing some of the highlights of the exhibition 

do have a look as you can see some of the exhibits I can't photograph due to low lighting 

I managed to get close enough to snap details about some of the artwork

looking along the wall of the main picture (my scarf, lol) I tried to capture the softness of the fabric

I saw today it is done on silk and chenille and wool.  

I really wanted to touch it as it looks so soft, but you're not allowed!

people still scuffling in the leaves - as I watched the mum lay down in them making her toddler laugh

the huge clumps of funghi were still there, 

but decomposing (we've had more rain which I assume helps!)

mushy!!

my next port of call

once more you walk partway down the centre path but I could see round one corner..

no idea about these, even knowing the name doesn't help

Babaco Carica

looking across to the "down" stairs (the ones that were overgrown at the bottom)  but you now can't walk past them

everything is very tall in here!  

a little flower  - seems to be St Helena scrubwood...

if it's the right label

you can walk across the centre of the temperate house 

but then are directed back down the left hand path again

my favourite the Silver Daisy Bush,  facing - missed it entirely this year, it's normally so pretty, with it's white flowers

but even like this it's fab!

a camellia growing inside 

heading outside 

a group of geese walking towards me

and another load in the grass

past trees baring berries 

I came to a huge bed in the grass 

covered in little mauvy-blue flowered plants

no labels, no idea.

but lovely!

at the Japanese Garden by the pagoda

the trees have really turned here now

and then walked up to the lake

no blue skies but still some decent reflections

I deliberately waited for this dad carrying his daughter to cross my shot

no mass photo sessions under these trees today 

at the top of the Broad Walk 

time to head home

and I noticed that although the beds at the palm house aren't planted yet, they are starting on the other round beds on the way up to the Broad Walk  and near the Elizabeth Gate

I managed to avoid most of the kids looking for the Gruffalo on the trail, but at the gate there was a pointer!  

 

thanks for looking

hopefully despite London being in Tier 2 level restrictions from today, things won't get worse (ha ha)  and I will still be able to go - I have 2 more weeks time slots booked, but November booking isn't available yet,  so we'll keep our fingers crossed.