Adelaide and More

Here are a few more shots of some of my favourite parts of the Botanic Gardens. I remember as a little girl going there every school holidays with my mother and a group of here friends with their children. We would picnic on the lawns and play in a long paddling pool which was later closed down - I think perhaps during the days of the poliomyelitis scare. This beautiful glasshouse is now under renovation, but it is lovely example of 19th century construction. The fern house is more recent, but still full of beautiful plants And even more recent is the glasshouse for tropical plants. Initially it was heated and misted to give it a humid tropical atmosphere, but that proved very expensive to run and  now it just relies on the sun. More next time. As you can tell the Botanic Gardens is one of my favourite places to spend time. Liz Needle linking with Our World Tuesday Wednesday Around the World

Australia has many beautiful Botanic Gardens and Adelaide, the capital of South Australia is no exception. Although it is possibly not the largest of the Botanic Gardens, it is nevertheless a real gem, planted with species from all over the world, well set out and beautifully tended. And to make it even more inviting, it is right in the city itself. The  Adelaide Botanic Gardens  was opened to the public in 1857, having been planned and started in 1854. Considering that Adelaide was only  settled in 1836, the Botanic Gardens were obviously thought to be important in the growth of the new colony of South Australia. Since then it has grown and flourished under eight directors and offshoots established at Mount Lofty and Wittunga at Blackwood. It boasts some very fine architecture, beautiful cast iron decorations and an excellent fine dining restaurant. These front entrance gates are a good example. This old stone gate house is at the back entrance to the Garden...

I was born and bred in Adelaide and although I have travelled all over Australia and beyond, there is not a city I would rather live in than My Adelaide and no state rather than South Australia. WHY? It is a city of wide well planned streets, beautiful, unique, historical buildings, graceful, imposing churches, extensive parklands and gardens, great food and wine experiences, cultural festivals, international sporting events and a vibrant, friendly a multicultural population. A short drive and you are in the Adelaide Hills with its orchards,vineyards, restaurants and stunning scenery and wildlife. Even closer are magnificent beaches with white sands, blue seas and natural coastlines. Drive a little further and there are world class wineries, great holiday resorts, magnificent outback scenery and adventures. Join me while we travel around Adelaide and beyond. Rundle Mall is the main shopping strip in the CBD (Central Business District). Once a busy street with trams and buses ru...