The Visit with the Ashby Family: Touring the Botanical Gardens
Last week Thursday to Saturday, we spent a few days down in Hobart since our friends Ian and Jen Ashby invited us to stay with them. The photographic highlight of the trip was our tour of the Botanical Gardens.
We spread out our gear in a sunny spot and had a picnic. Andrew and Hannah Ashby are happy to lie and sit down respectively.
Julia got along well with another baby her age, even if Andrew is actually twice her age (9 months).
Just a little bit more growing and I'll catch up!
It's good to be out after spending most of the winter indoors.
Jen Ashby models a watermelon-colored sunhat while keeping a watchful eye on her children.
Simeon, meanwhile, keeps a CLOSE eye on Julia lest she pull any tricks. Cheery in yellow, Ian enjoys a half day off of work so he can go on this outing with us all. He's either helping Andrew see something or preparing to launch him into space.
Yep, I see that camera. Unfortunately, that means no more smiling and lots of watchful surveillance of the silver mechanism with that sneaky flash.
Hannah is either dancing, describing the height of something, or just caught in an odd gesture.
Terry and Julia trek through the fern house. It was dripping wet in there.
Sorry this one's fuzzy... maybe it was in foliage mode (I was switching back and forth a lot).
That's better! Julia is either shrieking, yawning, or attempting to get another taste of the carrier strap. Yum!
Aw... dere's a smile from da cutie-wootie!
Happy seeing the world from under the shelter of Daddy's beard.
Here's the Oak Tree section where some of the deciduous trees in the park remind us of good ol' North America.
From the park, there were several views of the city and the River Derwent below. Unfortunately, this is not one that highlights the river.
Hey!
Ducks and such on the pond. It's a peaceful, pretty spot.
The handsome bush preacher and his little daughter
Flowers galore in a well-tended greenhouse
White orchids!
A fountain
Julia totally neglected to nap in the face of so much beauty.
The gum trees are varied in form and fantastic growth patterns. This one has a great horizontal branch like a withered pointing arm.
A lovely photo of the Ashby family... except that Andrew is hidden away in his pram... oops.
The Ashby clan marching in orderly fashion through the Cactus House with the chief at the rear to keep order. :D
Julia sucks her thumb with the rest of her finger splayed out - it's too cute.
The three of us in front of a fountain celebrating the French explorers who discovered and described certain parts of the southern coast of Van Diemen's Land.
Julia has given up on the hand by now, as well as the carrier strap - she's chomping down on the carrier itself. Thankfully, she's still toothless or the top of that thing would be in shreds.
Back at the Ashby's, we re-hydrate and chat.
Terry, tireless, entertains the young'uns with a timeless tale of terror about a little girl and three bears. Except that there are no bears in Tasmania... so there's no real threat.
On our way out of town, we stopped by at the Smith's. They were amazed at Julia's progressing growth and we snapped a few lovely photos of Julia and Mary.
Julia knows that one looks at a camera, but has not yet purposely smiled for one. It's only people that you smile at, of course. How silly to smile at a box! Everyone knows that. :)
We had a lovely weekend up there, and actually persuaded Iain Smith to try out a Mexican restaurant... except that it was closed at lunchtime. However, we went to the next-best thing down the street - a Portuguese restaurant named Nando's where they serve wonderful spicy chicken (and not-so-spicy dishes for the chicken-hearted). Overall our time down there was most enjoyable. Thanks for your hospitality, Ian and Jen!
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