Kew - September sunshine

I know, I know - Kew Gardens again!!   But I love it there, it's close - I can get there in an hour by train (even allowing for changing at Clapham Junction) - and I have a newly renewed season ticket so it only costs the train fare - and it was a nice sunny morning. It's also just about the only 'proper' exercise I get, walking at Kew!

So, yesterday morning, there I was again. In fact, the first few were left on the film in the camera from my last trip - but I love this 'frothy' stuff so had to include it,

along with this cluster of Aganpanthus - not sure what the white flowers behind it are though, but loved the contrast. They were very perfumed, but surely it's too late for jasmine??
I was deliberately focussing on the white, to blur the blue, (I was going for shapes and patterns last time, remember because - apart from this- there wasn't much colour).

So, on to yesterday. Thanks to all the rain we had in Surrey over the last couple of weeks, the grass - and the trees themselves - were looking lush and fresh, just ripe for photography!The sun was shining through the leaves on this tree, it was glorious - although I should have probably closed in more on the leaves than include so much background.

The Palm House peaking through the trees!

I staggered up the stairs to the Treetop Walkway - the views ARE worth it, but it kills me - I wish they could get the lift sorted out, I don't mind walking down, but UP is - urgh! hard work- my calves ache today, I'm blaming the spiral stairs.

From the Walkway, I went into the Temperate House - it was quite empty, so got some good shots 'people-less!' I could pretend it was my own glasshouse....

Peering through the giant ferns! Had to move sharpish from here, a keeper came with his hose to spray them with water..... so I went up the stairs to the higher walkway round the top of the glasshouse to peer DOWN for a change!

This is a bit overgrown, yes?!

I'd love to do some of these in black and white, (I suppose if I bought Photoshop I could fiddle with them myself) as I think the patterns and shapes of the struts and windows would look great in black and white.   I used to really enjoy black and white photography - my ex had some darkroom equipment at one time and we used to develop our own b/w films, it was great.

Love the misty effect - it was proper hot in this part of the glasshouse! but I quite like the effect on these palms, from the steamed up lens! 

At this point my film ran out as I was heading towards the Waterlily house so those pics are now on another part-used film in the camera and will have to wait for the next trip!  That's one drawback of film cameras and I can't afford to upgrade my camera to a digital one (I was looking at the prices when I went to pick up these pictures today, I need to win the lottery for the type of camera and extra lenses I'd want!!)

Hope you enjoyed these ones, anyhow.

Kew again - and a party

Well, over on my stamping blog I showed you a few weeks ago the Diamond Wedding card I made for my godmother.  It was the party on the 31st and I've just got the photos.  I won't bore you with loads because if you weren't there you (probably, given what a small world it is!) won't know anyone, but there is one of me! (I may even put it on the other blog too)

That's me standing at the back in my fave green/blue skirt! Any my mum is in the seat behnd the "youngsters" on the opposite end to me.




Anyhow, on Saturday I went to Kew Gardens again, though it's been at least a month - unheard of for me in the last couple of years - and I think I've missed the best of the "height of summer" flowers.

Still, I took a few - I concentrated on shapes and patterns.
This was in the waterlily pond. Incredible!

Outside the waterlily house.

"my" fountain again - this time framed by the tree and gunnera in the foreground.

The oldest palm in the Palm House (only I've forgotten how old!)

There were some different species of butterfly that they've hatched since I was there before - these ones were really pretty! Only they wouldn't keep still!


Well, that's it for tonight - this is my 3rd post (two on stampingbyh) of the evening and I have to go to bed now....

Hampton Court Flower Show - 9th July 2010

Well, I just about survived the exteme heat yesterday at Hampton Court Flower Show.  It was SO hot - I ended up buying a hat in the end.

I got there at 10 just as they opened the gates and for a while there was a bit of cloud cover which helped the temperatures but not the flower photography!  I took LOADS - about 140 - so these are just a pick!  (As I start to write, I dont know how I'm going to choose them...)  I had good intentions of making notes of the names of the gardens as I went but that went out the window and the notebook stayed in my bag all day (along with the long zoom lens which just came for the ride!)

I don't know if you saw any of the TV coverage this year so some of these you may recognise.  Anyhow, here goes. I'll keep the burble to a minimum!

Just love the bright pink!

They've changed the flower pavillion this year, it's one huge marquee now, not 5 linked ones. Loads of purple and blues this year.

How great do these veg look!

 Nursery rhymes!

 Girl guide groups creating great little scenescheck out the title of this one!  It's a "real" false leg...

Couldn't resist a fountain!  This is in the middle of the Long Water. They've changed the way the jets come out, since last year I am sure.

Maybe not what I'd call Shabby Chic - but I couldn't resist taking this pic when I saw the name!!

You can buy such weird things at Hampton Court! These bronzes were actually really great (but way out of my price range!)

They had a series of small gardens based on Shakespeare's comedies, really wish I'd note which ones were which...

And these poor actors were all dressed up performing (I assume, not being a Shakespeare expert) extracts from relevant play in front of each garden.)  They must have been sooo hot!

Local schools always enter scarecrows and the theme this year was Shakespeare. Love this "donkey dude"!!

Have saved my favest pic of all day for the end - these beautiful cornflowers!

I have had problems with blogger getting the comments where I wanted them, so fingers crossed!

Hope I haven't bored you rigid - there could have been so many more! Please leave me a comment to let me know which is your favourite?