ha ha of course there was!
Despite a gloomy forecast (which was wrong, on the whole it was lovely) off I went - I won't be going next week because of the Ally Pally stamp show; can't have a 3 week gap at this time of year, too much changes.
Arriving early, I walked round to the Victoria Gate, and on entering, the first bed you see is full of gorgeous Hellebores
the sun was out, and it was warm (totally not what they forecast!)
this tree has burst into growth in 2 weeks.
still lots of magnolias in glorious bloom
and even more daffodils
of all colours
and the cherry blossom was fabulous
so much of it
and pinks too
the clouds were still scudding about but there was lots of blue sky to show off the blossom
as for the fritillaria - oh wow! ropes all around to keep people from getting too close...
soft growth on the trees the fritillaria are planted under
turning round from the magnolias, the light was shining through the upper part of the Palm House
walked through the rhododendron dell...
loved the birch stems
and this little robin, though I couldn't get close enough for a really good shot
more blossom
lilac
the Glory of the Snow still looking like a magical blue carpet
round by the Orangery restaurant, pastel ice cream shades of tulips
love the vivid acid green of the euphorbia against the bright blue sky - the Broad Walk is bursting into life again
yum!
more trees full of blossom
and at the top of the Broad Walk, the round bed, full of more ice cream tulips and underbedding which I think is primula
love the translucency with the sun shining through the petals
time for the ultra wide angle
more gorgeous spring bedding
the Parterre, still full of daffodils but more colour coming through now
the Waterlily house has just re-opened after it's winter break.. nearly empty, but that won't last long
back past the Palm House
still with the ultra wide agle
I knew I'd caught this at it's best last time!
Love the view though
the peacock that was sunning himself on this stretch of grass, is now in full mating display action (and sound!)
through the Rock Garden, the Pulsatilla (Pasqueflower) are gorgeous
swathes of them
and round the front of the Princess of Wales glasshouse, gorgeous daffodils
the sky was so blue, love the pinky white magnolias against the blue
the Hive - luckily that cloud disappeared
heading for the way home, now but I could see red and white in the distance
pure beauty! several round beds of red and white tulips, again, translucent petals in the sun.
what a walk! Just over two hours....
time to head home for the football (well I listened to the first half on the radio on the train) and a win for Liverpool, what a great day!
the sun was out, and it was warm (totally not what they forecast!)
the sky was so blue, love the pinky white magnolias against the blue
