The butterflies at RHS Wisley

Last week on a chilly day we hopped on the M25 and headed to RHS Wisley. It was our first visit and perhaps an odd time of year to go, if it wasn't for the butterflies. Yes, there's  butterflies in the 'jungle' glasshouse until early March and so as MOH had some time off from work it seemed as good a time as any to go. There was of course traffic on the M25, but it wouldn't be the M25 if it didn't, would it.  

We were very restrained as we entered the garden and rather than rushing straight over to the main attraction we wandered through some of the garden before arriving at the huge glasshouses. Then we took in the warmth and the increase of temperatures as we moved closer to the butterflies. I've photos of the gardens and the outer-glasshouses too, but I'll share those another time as today I want to focus on the butterflies. 

They're fast though so I'm pleased I've captured as many as I have, I'd like to say I knew what I was doing and planned it just like this but, well I didn't... 

This post has the potential to be the butterfly equivalent of a "Where's Wally" post so I'll let you know now, there's I think three shots where I haven't spotted a butterfly yet, and a couple of those are below.  I've included them so you get a sense of the colour in the glasshouses, I'd like to give you a burst of the heat too but haven't worked out a way to do that!

The butterflies can apparently see us from three metres away, and they like bright colours as this lady discovered. They flew and landed on my pink top too, again landing on my back so someone else probably has that photo.

We saw quite a lot of the blue butterfly which we believe is a Blue Morpho (Morpho Peleides) from the signs on show, but didn't do so well at identifying the others.

This was the only other one we managed to identify - it's a Big Billy (Atrophaneura Semperi) which I caught having a snooze as we went up the stairs.  

There were plenty of butterfly feeding stations dotted around and here I was able to capture three, although I didn't spot the third until later. This happened more than once and some of their camouflage and how they blend in is quite amazing.  

This red, fluffy bush (yes that's a technical term) was very popular with the butterflies and subsequently visitors alike and this sequence of shots show one arriving for some of its nectar. 

And I couldn't end this post without a shot of this beautiful hibiscus and the reflections in the glasshouse. 

Even as we left the butterfly area of the glasshouse we noticed the temperature notch down, but the cacti and orchids were enjoying it and it was still much warmer than the outside temperatures. But we braved it and back outside we headed off in search of more of Wisley's gems - it's definitely a garden we'll visit again. 

Sun on Saturday: Greenwich Tall Ships Festival

This week's Sun on Saturday is much closer to home and is the Greenwich Tall Ships Festival which was held last September. It's a four day regatta with the ships sailing to Greenwich from Falmouth. We popped down into Greenwich on the Saturday afternoon and it was busy as lots of other people had the same idea.

As with most of our visits to Greenwich this one started with a glimpse of the Cutty Sark. It's one of my favourite views in Greenwich. As well as the traditional tall ships, there was a huge cruise ship docked towards Deptford. 

We headed down the river and I managed to get a couple of clear shots of the tall ships as they sailed past.  Don't they look magnificent?

And I couldn't finish this post without sharing a photo of Greenwich's fine buildings so here's a quick shot of the Old Royal Naval College.  And with that we dashed back up the hill and home - it was only a short visit, but I couldn't miss what was happening right on my doorstep now could I?

Sun on Saturday: Carnewas & Bedruthan Step

Not really knowing what to expect as we pulled into the National Trust car park we got out the car and headed over towards the cliff path. And oh what a view!   I'm not sure either of us really expected this, but it wasn't a view we were going to give up on so quickly. I mean, would you?

We actually visited twice as the first time it was already early evening and the sun was starting to set - there's some sunset shots from that visit further on - we saw that you could get on the beach, but as the tide was already coming in and we didn't want to rush our time down there we decided to come back.  

Bedruthan Steps became popular over a hundred years ago when Newquay developed as a holiday resort, the Victorians would visit in their carriages. I guess just like us today in our cars. It's still an impressive view, I wonder though how many of them made it down to the beach.  There's also a story, some would say legend of a giant called Bedruthan using the beach stacks as stepping stones as a short cut across the bay. The Trust think this seems to be a late 19th century invention, but why would anyone - even a giant - want a short cut here?

We did. Down these steps. 

And then down these ones (and more) too! But just look at that beach.

Infact the rocks and coastline is ever-changing, which means it's challenging for the National Trust to provide access to the beach and these stairs reopened in 1995 after five years of stabilisation work, as well as rebuilding the 20ft of staircase that had been washed away. I'm glad that's been done as I wouldn't have wanted to miss the beach with its rocks, caves and untrodden sand!

I had an uncontrollable urge to walk on every single bit of untrodden sand, while MOH took to skimming stones - what else? In the end I left a fair bit of sand untrodden as I didn't want to spoil it for anyone else, although for quite a while we were the only people on the beach.  

The rocks were pretty interesting too and I photographed them many times - the textures and colours of each capturing me. But none more so than the one with the tide washing over it. Totally mesmerising.  

With its amazing view and breathtaking beach it is truly an amazing place to visit, and if you're ever nearby make sure you take the time to see and experience it for yourself.  After climbing back up the steps - there's quite a few - we got our breath back by simply breathing in the breathtaking view once more before turning, admiring the craftsmanship of this wall and heading back to the car park where the seagulls were keeping watch!

And before I go, the sunsets are amazing here too - here's a couple of shots from the sunset on our first visit. Another wow!