Since yesterday was part 2 of my serialized short story, I didn’t actually get the opportunity to write about my trip to Wisley Gardens. Make sure you check out the photos from yesterday, by the way! There are so many lush shots in there.

Friday morning my mother-in-law and sister-in-law swung around to collect me before we picked up my friend Mary from the station and then we were off to view the gardens! It was such a nice sunny day on our way out and I think we were all in high spirits. We stopped at a café for an early lunch and a bit of coffee before turning up to Wisley Gardens.

Even though it’s a short drive away I had never been to Wisley. The variety of plants was absolutely incredible and I was totally amazed to come across so many types that I had only ever seen in Southern Florida. The Glasshouse was probably my favorite part, if only for the fact that I felt so inspired by all of the natural shapes and patterns and colors at play. Everywhere I looked something caught my eye so naturally it was a veritable feast for my creativity.

Gorgeous plants aside, the real reason we went to Wisley was to check out the butterfly exhibit, and let me tell you: it did not disappoint. As soon as I walked through the plastic curtains my zoom lens fogged up completely, making it difficult to take non-hazy photos. It was a pretty cool effect, I will admit, but I did spend a good portion of the time worrying if my photos would even come out clear! Seeing the butterflies float and flutter around the luscious foliage was such a treat, though.

The butterfly room was so hot and humid I felt like I had been transported back to Florida and I quickly felt a bit ill. I tend to heat up super quick, so when I felt a little faint I had to step outside and get some cold air. When I was reviewing my photos I totally felt that it was definitely worth the sweaty upper lip.

After we finished with the butterfly room we stopped for a quick pick me up in the café and then wandered around some of the other areas of Wisley until most of us felt it was time to go home. It was such a great day and I feel like I took so many great photos! I would really like to go on more of these photo-heavy adventures this year. It’s like food for my creativity.