A restless night's sleep, it was really hot overnight. An early start for Kew, laden with water, suncream and a hat... trains were all delayed so didn't get there till 8.30 (horror!) The forecast was low twenties for the morning, but it already felt quite warm
starting point as usual, the Palm House Parterre, where the alliums are gradually being removed and replaced with summer bedding
I still love the "spent" allium heads though..
the sun was glistening on the fountain despite the early hour
and the sprinklers were drenching the beds alongside, too. Was about to take another close up when a Kew student came along and turned it off!
I walked right round the pond..
stopped for a blueberry muffin for breakfast, then
headed down the Broad Walk - things have shot up since my last visit
these for instance
love the soft blue of the scabious
drifts of achillea
sunflowers (had to wait my turn to capture these!)
the other side, the alstromeria are gorgeous
at the end of the Broad Walk, cut across the grass to the Hive,
past the Princess of Wales
the wildflower meadow is just stunning this year, it has really developed in it's second summer
the daisies are beautiful (got carried away with these!)
the glass floor of the Hive was being cleaned, and there was also a girl in there doing some yoga exercises to the sound of the bees... didn't feel I could take a photo!
so I headed to the Family Beds and my beloved poppies... got carried away again here..
the same man who was photographing the sunflowers was there too, doing the same as me
down low on the grass, just love the bird's eye (or should that be worm's eye?) view..
love the pale yellow ones, so pretty
glinting, backlit in the sun....
the rose pergola was glorious, the scent was amazing
the poppy bed from a distance..
masses of lupins
another crouching shot (although these teasels are really tall) - love the sillhouette effect making them look almost black
back to the POW, now it was ten so open,
so I went in (hardly noticed the difference in temperature inside today, it was so hot outside)
noticed some bright orange berries, think this is the jade vine plant, but not sure they would have berries!
went up to the next level, glimpse of the waterlily pads
back past the Palm House again, had another sit on a shady bench for a while...
round the back again, the giant gunnera is huge and was now in full sun
glimpse of the Palm House summer bedding
round the back to the rose garden... some stunners!
the back of the Palm House
into the Waterlily House, doors kept open today (normally shut to keep the heat in, no need today!)
lotus flower in full bloom
too hot to stay any longer, I cut across the grass to the Broad Walk and made my way home..
just couldn't resist another peek at the sunflowers
and achillea.
Trains were delayed on the way home too, but what a beautiful (too hot) day!
