Slightly more refined.....

[diamondlil]

Instead of our usual rock'n'roll mischief and hikes in the countryside, Pete and I had a more genteel weekend together. It was one of his best friends' 25th wedding anniversary celebration, so we had to suit and boot for a sit-down meal at an Italian restaurant. I loved the magician, and kept making him come back to our table to do more tricks.
On the Sunday Pete finally gave in to my wishes to visit the botanical gardens, so I could stroll around in a summer dress. There was a bandstand with a fairly good ensemble to listen to, and some lovely aviaries too. The gardens date from 1832

 

[Roy Munson]

Those gardens look like a nice place to hang out. Pete must have had his hands full keeping all the predators away from that beautiful woman in black.

 

[diamondlil]

I loved the glass houses, it was so hot in the tropical house we had to keep visiting it in short bursts.

 

[diamondlil]

The aviaries were so heavily planted it was hard to get good shots of the birds, this Hill Mynah had the cheekiest repertoire of wolf-whistles.

 

[diamondlil]

I was a bit weary of the plants after a couple of hours, and found sticklebacks and damselflies more fun to get photos of. There were peacocks wandering the grounds, but it was so hot they were probably hiding in the shade, we found a peahen in the shrubbery though

 

[diamondlil]

Those gardens look like a nice place to hang out. Pete must have had his hands full keeping all the predators away from that beautiful woman in black.

Haha! We never actually go out unless it's to a gig, usually, so it was nice to play at being grown-ups for a change. I can report that I didn't spill anything on my dress or fall off my heels, which was quite an achievement.:roflmao:

 

[Nanci]

Nice pics! Looks like a fun place.

 

[diamondlil]

It's been on my 'to visit' list for ages, Pete's not into gardening so not such a fun day for him. Because the day was (for us) quite hot, high 80's, we couldn't stay in the glass houses for very long without getting overheated. There was a lovely collection of carnivorous plants too

 

[wade]

J9, I bet the peacocks were glad to see you leave. What a beauty.

 

[jazzgeek]

Thank God I'm reading this while I'm chock-full of heparin; otherwise, I'd be focusing on my blood shunting as opposed to my blood thinning.

And that would make these goofy hospital gowns adjust in their "drape".

:grin01:

Gorgeous photos!

Dale

 

[RebeccaK]

Gorgeous photos, Janine~!! Pete looks like a fun person...

I am one that loves the heat and if I were there, I would probably not come out from the green house... Haha

Cheers,
Rebecca

 

[diamondlil]

Haha! Thanks chaps!
(Rebecca, that's the magician, not Pete!)

 

[Maize411]

very nice looking place! looks like ya had a great time :0)

 

[desertanimal]

. . . this Hill Mynah had the cheekiest repertoire of wolf-whistles.

Probably only for pretty ladies in black! You look great!

Um, did the back doctor give you an ok on the heels? :sidestep:

 

[ArpeggioAngel]

Looks like a beautiful place. I would love to just sit down and listen to the music on that lush lawn.

 

[Tula_Montage]

Gorgeous shots Janine, you look lovely

 

[diamondlil]

Thanks! It was a great change to actually get decent weather for the botanical garden visit too.
(And good 'dressing up' practice, I've got a wedding reception next month for one of my former students)