Lotus and Lily

Last July we made our first visit to the Kenilworth Aquatic Garden, beside the Anacostia River in Washington DC.

We were amazed to see the fields (ponds) of lotus flowers.

Today we visited this national park again - an equally hot and humid day!

The lilies are almost as beautiful as the lotus..

Even though this year we knew what to expect, the flowers, individually or en masse, are breathtakingly beautiful.

Pansy Pots

The tubs which we filled with pansies in March are coming to their end now.

The flowers were very large when they were planted but have got smaller as the plants have grown.

It has been a struggle to stop the pots from drying out with temperatures in the mid 30's.



The different colours were coordinated but seem to have become more alike with time.



Viewed up close they are fascinating and quite beautiful flowers.

Inside the Embassy

Although the weather was good last night and the Garden Party took place outside, we saw some of the inside of the British Ambassador's Residence as we arrived and left.  This is one of the main staircases.  The walls of the stairwell were covered with a collection of antique prints.

The ballroom is where the event would have taken place in case of bad weather. 

Three very impressive crystal chandeliers.

Facing each other across the room, a portrait in oils of Queen  Elizabeth I ..

and Andy Warhol's portrait of a young Queen Elizabeth II

There were potted orchids all around the room..

Garden Party

This evening we had the privilege of attending a Garden Party at the British Ambassador's Residence in Washington for the Royal Aeronautical Society, DC Branch.

The Ambassador's Residence is an impressive building on Massachusetts Avenue designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and built between 1928 and 1930.  (This photo of the front of the building is not mine - unfortunately security barriers tonight didn't make a great photo..)

The Residence is surrounded by a lovely garden..

The food was described as 'heavy hors d'oeuvres' ...

Tiny cones of fish and chips with mushy peas; Mini steak pies with mash and gravy; cheese and biscuits and rice pudding with fruit could and fresh fruit spear.

The flower arrangements on the tables were lovely.

Presentations were made to three young people who had won scholarships to continue their aviation studies.

It was a great opportunity to see the Residence and very enjoyable too!

Lavender Farm

Today I visited a friend who lives in Fauquier County - an hour south west of Reston.  The landscape is much more open - rolling meadows with dairy farms and fields of corn (maize) and soy beans.  The roads are much narrower and there are other indications that this is a rural area with a slower pace of life..

We visited a lavender farm..

We were not the only visitors.. there were also butterflies..

Also moths, including a Bee Hawk Moth..

And, of course, so many bees..