Botanic Garden and birthday beers

A day in Perth. I went to the Botanic Gardens with Scarey Sis while Him Outdoors was mountain-biking with Hoggy and Mr Smartypants, and the super-in-law did pre-Christmas stuff with the children.

Perth city skyline

The State War Memorial is in King's Park, one of the largest inner city parks in the world, and the most popular visitor destination in Western Australia.

The red and green kangaroo paw (Angiozanthus manglesii) is the Western Australian floral emblem. At the entrance to the botanic gardens, a marble mosaic depicting this flower created by artists Rudolph Verschoor and Jacqueline Pinnock sits beneath a Silver Princess (Eucalyptus caesia).

The giant boab tree, which was transported to King's Park from the Kimberley Region

Scarey Sis on the Lotterywest Federation Walkway

This used to be a brewery!

'Using symbolic plant forms, these five sculptures invite you to reflect on the importance and diversity of the contribution of women to the community'.

Renewal and Leadership

Life

The Pioneer Women's Memorial in the centre of the Water Garden is eye-catching. The woman is strong, beautiful, compassionate and comforting. 

So is this one...

There are plenty of beautiful blooms in the Banksia gardens, and also a couple of art-works by Philippa O'Brien depicting these plants.

The DNA Tower and viewing platform

View of Perth from DNA Tower, King's Park

As it was Him Outdoors' birthday, a trip to Feral Brewing was in order. Their Boris (Russian Imperial Stout) is his favourite Australian beer, with their Hop Hog (American IPA) not far behind. I also liked their Rust (Belgian Dubbel), Fanta Pants (Imperial Red IPA) and B.F.H. (Barrel Fermented Hog - their flagship IPA).

Some of our party were not quite so impressed with the description of the Fanta Pants as being 'offensively bitter (like most redheads)', but no one (among the beer drinkers) could deny the taste.

Nephew Aidan clearly spellbound by Hoggy's pontifications

The Happy Birthday Boy

Canberra Botanic Gardens

When rehearsing for a play, I spend an inordinate amount of time indoors, so try to go for short walks and clear my mind. A stroll through the Canberra Botanic Gardens was a perfect way to get some air.

The flower of a Banksia shrub

Golden wattle

I liked the Australian water dragons who scuttle about the place looking grumpy but quite cute!



The crimson rosellas aren't considered exotic here, but I'm still impressed with their plummage.

Shaking his tail feathers