This morning we were treated to a lovely sunrise – even though our main windows face West. It was another work day for Kevin and I decided to have breakfast (another Turkish roll with salad) and then catch the tram to the gardens. It was another hot day and was already approaching 30C by the time I arrived there just before 10am. I was a little unsure where the entry was as they are extending the underground train lines but I quickly worked it out. There were some photos showing how the streets and trams used to look like, which was pretty interesting.
Then its a walk uphill…
to the Shrine of Remembrance.
After stopping to take photos I continued my walk around the Shrine and across the roads to the gardens. At the Visitors Center I checked in for my bus tour around the gardens. Since she guessed I was Libby I was thinking no-one had pre-booked. Since I still had half an hour till my tour I had a look in the gift store (and made a few purchases).
I then walked over to the meeting point (past the kids water play area – which was nicely hidden behind a hedge) and the strange creatures in the kids garden. I then found a spot on the grass under the shade of a tree to wait.
Meanwhile Kevin was hard at work in the HOT sun on a rooftop installing starlink.
Finally at 11am the bus turned up, and I set out on my private bus tour. This was really good way to see and learn about the gardens and I really enjoyed it. The gardens are very large and there is no way I could have walked all around it.
After the tour I set off on foot to explore some more and take close up photos of the flowers.
There was also one tree that was full of lorikeets screeching and eating lunch.
One area I particularly wanted to explore was Fern Gulley. Being a “rainforest” area it was nice and cool so extra lovely on this hot day. I walked throughout the boardwalk area and sat for awhile to rest and relax.
I really enjoyed my time here but did find it challenging getting around – not sure if it was me or the map but I eventually found my way back to the visitors center. I had finished all my water so bought myself an orange juice and a lemon squash. I drank the OJ on my way back to the tram. I later tried the lemon squash but it was horrible – I didn’t realize it was brewed. i had to wait quite a bit of time for my tram (I assume I had just missed one) but eventually I got back to the apartment, feeling happy, but rather hot and tired. I quickly assembled an asian noodle salad for lunch and then put my feet up to relax and enjoy it.
It was actually only an hour or so later that Kevin returned home from his work day. Shortly afterwards a big storm rolled through. It was quite the sight from up on the 12th floor. And amazingly enough to cleared up enough for us to be treated to a beautiful sunset.
We ordered in dinner again tonight as I was still suffering with sore feet (I think more from the heat and fibro than anything else). After some debate we decided on potato bowls – which we really enjoyed.
