Earth at Work

To Kew a few days ago.  It was falling leaves, squirrels manically preparing for hibernation, a woodpecker or two, chestnuts on the ground, long shadows  – and these Rudbeckia, some of the last flowers to leave the summer party.  They remind me a little of young celebs exiting West End clubs at three  in the morning, the pictures of which one sees in the free-sheets, only the flowers wear their smudged mascara and crumpled dresses rather more elegantly.

And this detail on the outside of the Temperate House:

The angle is peculiar because, being shorter rather than taller, I was looking up at it.  A step ladder might have been useful but who wants to lug a step ladder around Kew when there are important things like lemon drizzle cake to be had in the tea room.