Kew - a wet New Year's Eve final visit of the year

 Despite the forecast being rain all day I was still heading to Kew this morning.  

My replacement lens arrived the day after delivery (good old Amazon) 

as it was Saturday, Kim was there too so we walked round together

I did my best to keep my camera dry 

heading down the Broad Walk, we were met by a pop of pink from the hellebores

and the rain had started to leave drops on the euphorbia

there wasn't a lot to grab my interest along the Broad Walk though

took the path past the Orangery restaurant to check out the Monkey Puzzle tree 

in the evolution garden, the skeletons of the hydrangea were still striking

and some seedheads

Kim caught sight of a robin in amongst some twigs

cropping helps!  

the snowdrops under the acer in the rock garden seem to have proliferated

lots of aloes nestling in the gaps between the rocks.

we both liked the red tips to the leaves

quick walk through the alpine house

the nerine still looking beautiful

and the teeny Narcissus 

I nearly poked my eye out on a leaf stem trying to smell them!

good thing they are soft 

then into the Princess of Wales

these orchids were small and really pretty but too far back in the bed to get a decent shot.

there are some very large fish in the pond in the POW

I was determined to get a less foggy shot of this pretty orange flower this time but still forgot the label!

I was pleased with this one I took on the phone, too.  

back down to the lower level passing the pink bananas

outside into the rain, we walked along to the lake,

signs still up saying don't feed or touch the birds - I assume in an attempt to stop the spread of bird flu, although I've not heard of any cases round here;  however prevention is key.   

I liked the numerous branches coming off this tree but it was too wet to stop and change lens

then into the Temperate House quickly (to use the loo mainly)

always love the teeny flowers on this erica 

on our way out I was struck by the shape of the leaves on this kalanchoe.

I'll look again next week

 

raindrops on the bottom of the signpost - but we went right, to the cafe 

for a quick pitstop of hot chocolate and a sausage roll (mine had loads of cranberries in it today)

and that's all i took - can't remember the last time I took so few!

thanks for looking again and Happy New Year to you.

See you again in 2023 when I start my next year's visits to my happy place!!

a Post Christmas visit

 So today wasn't Saturday but it is a Bank Holiday in England so I headed for Kew, as I wasn't able to go last Saturday (they were closed)

When I arrived to take my normal opening shot, my camera wouldn't work...

I took one on my phone and messaged about with the camera..

It seems that the auto focus element on the standard zoom I use most, has stopped working, but when I switched to manual it would take photos...

I was quite relieved to say the least 

my normal view on manual a bit further along the bed!

the sun had come out which I wasn't expecting

down the Broad Walk.   not very much to look at 

the euphorbia were looking almost sparkly, though it's relatively mild and there's been no frost for a few days

the grasses were  glowing in the sun

I headed round to the Princess of Wales conservatory - these are the outside cacti from a few weeks ago, the flowers are fading (no doubt suffered in the cold weather )

inside,  now

as soon as I got into the tropical section the lens went mad misting up...

on the upper level I noticed these water drops but again, had trouble with misting 

into the orchid rooms

then outside again 

love this big tree at the end of the rock garden

walked through the alpine house

little iris

nerine

euphoribia in the rock garden 

some early snowdrops (under the acer in the rock garden, so sheltered( 

vegetable garden,  globe artichoke 

the mushrooms are starting to ... sprout... 

most of the veg beds have been cleared for winter ready for planting again in spring

few rose hips left

remnants of the hydrangea

evolution garden... again, mostly cut back for winter

but some plants have been left for winter structure.

eryngium

the echinops definitely didn't like the snow and ice!

into the palm house - more steaming up! 

there's been some pruning in here too,

able to see the rusty patterns on the metal pillars

on my way to the lake I paused by the mirror installation

some good reflections in the misted up glass

the lake is quite silted up at this end

I could hear the geese and swans from yards away!

I headed for the Treetop Walkway

the lift is still not finished so it was time to climb the steps

using the excuse of pictures part way up for a pause...

Santa overlooking the gardens (part of the Lights event)

blogger is being a pain with the orders again 

then to the Temperate House

I climbed some more stairs to the viewing platform

you can see these better from the stairs on the way down again

and sitting on the steps to get a close up through the railings

from a bit lower down the stairs...

angel trumpets

the ledges round the octagon have had cacti and succulents placed on them 

it was luck I chanced to turn round or I'd have missed this

on my way back to the exit I called into the gallery to see the Pip and Pop display which is still on until March

and finally at the exit on my way out!

thanks for looking, i will be going again Saturday !