Wisley gardens

Welcoming pumpkins

For the past few years (starting with a delivery that needed picking in the middle of nowhere so why not find something fun to do while there), I have been going to the Taste of Autumn Festival at Wisley Gardens. They have around 35 stalls set up with various food vendors selling everything from Gin and vodka to cheese, bread and cakes. They also have this amazing linseed flapjacks for sale so I have some happy snacks for this week. This year they had the apples for sale. They had none last year due to a bad year and I think a bug hitting the orchard, but they were back so I also have a bag of apples of sorts I have never heard of before.
Before going to the food stalls, I took a walk around while it was still quiet. The weather was really cold but sunny, and later on people showed up in droves, which it why I got there for when it opened and left early.  

Main house. 

Love this bench 

Formal garden 

Secret pond. 

I want somewhere like this.

I had fun wondering around taking photos. I haven't really played with my camera for quite some time so it was nice just to take the time. And I have spent the past week in training in a windowless room so it was really nice to be outside and see the actual sun.

Start of fall colours

This year I went a different route to normal, mainly because they are doing some construction and really needed to loo (which have moved) so ended up a little lost. But it was good. I found a giant lake I had somehow missed before.

Lake.

I also played around with black and white to get some drama!

I have never seen bright purple berries like this before but they were everywhere. Not a clue what they are (and probably couldn't spell it if I did). 

Holly.

Green house.

I had a walk around the green house. It is huge. It took about 5 mins for my glasses and camera to de-mist in the first section. I hate wearing glasses sometimes.

Furry flowers

Orchid photos for mom.

But in the second, inner area, it was more tropical. And there was no de-misting. At least not as long as I could be bothered to wait. I had a walk around and still nothing. Some of the photos turned out cool though. The rest were a little too steamed.

Steamy!

I didn't spend as much time as I planned in the green house as my camera really wasn't de-misting and I was starting to get a little worried I had steam and therefore water somewhere inside as I couldn't see any mist on the lens or view finder. 

So I headed out for a cup of tea and sat outside in the sun and let my camera recover. Which happily it did. 

Enjoying the view

I wondered to the rock garden through the wooded area in the centre of the park. I love the colours out in the park.

A champion tree though no explanation as to why.

At the rock garden I emerged into the noise. I get that kids want to have fun and that's ill fine. But I don't see why parents think it is ok to let their children run around, screaming, bumping into other people and just generally making a noise and disturbing the peace. What happened to manners?

I tried to avoid them as much as possible while taking my photos.

Lily pads.

There was still a lot of dew around so I got to play with my macro tubes (I can't afford a macro lens so I have to make do with the cheaper extension tube version). I didn't quite get the photos I wanted (I was trying to get the 'world in a dew drop' type photo) but I couldn't stand the screaming any more.

Amazing tree.

I toured the food stalls and brought some cheeses, flapjacks and chutneys. And some non-alcoholic ginger wine. I am trying to be good this month and not drink and so far so good. I don't feel any different and it is costing me a fortune in squash but I'll save on the wine. Until the next time I go home. I am sure it will be all over then. 

Christmas at Kew

Lights!

On Wednesday I took my first trip to Christmas at Kew (I am going again with some friends next time). And it was really cold!

Entrance

They have lit a lot of the trees along with path (about a mile long) as well as the exhibits, which are themed for obviously Christmas. There are also plenty of places to get food and drinks. :) 

Creepy tree

5 golden rings

4 calling birds

3 french hens

2 turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

I really loved the light tunnel. To music of course.

Dancing elf.

Santa did not look this creepy in real life.

I ate at the fair ground, and I am really hoping we will again. I had tartiflette, basically baked potato, cheese and bacon. So nice. And they have rum punch and mulled cider and wine. No, I did not try all of them. But will give the other a shot next week.

They have a few fair ground rides. Why do carousel horses always look slightly demented?

Freaking out!

And some rosters as well

Lantern garden

I thought I read they were getting rid of the Hive. Thankfully they aren't (yet at least). And it looks great lit up.

The Hive

Looking up

 I also found a secret little stop which most people seem to miss. Unfortunately it was way too cold to sit outside and enjoy it.

Also hoping to visit again next, there is a stall selling amazing giant marshmallows next to open pits you can roast them over. (This is one US tradition I miss.) The strawberry and Champagne marshmallows were very nice. (Though an open fire is better. You can get them crispier!)

Roasting marshmallows.

Stags head.

Giant Candles.

More elves.

The grans finale is the light show over the pond and against the palm house. Very impressive. And it was so cold the pond/lake was frozen over. 

Snow flakes.

Drama.

I loved it! I can't wait to go again! And I am definitely in the Christmas spirit now. I have also brought a tree (a little smaller than I expected but it going to be dressed soon!). 

In other news, I spent today in hospital again, thanks to a vicious can which sliced open my finger last night. And would not stop bleeding. After 16 hours, I figured enough was enough. And spent 3 hrs in urgent care to make sure it was ok. It is. Just painful and gross. And I am still of occasionally bleeding on things! (Doing the tree tomorrow and my christmas wrapping is going to be interesting.)