We had decided to take advantage of the next non-rainy day to do a few outdoor things, so although the day started out cloudy we took a chance and set out, and it turned into a wonderful warm mostly sunny spring day. First on the list was a tour of the Parliament House gardens. It was an excellent tour, conducted by two of the gardeners, and the gardens were absolutely gorgeous (with a minimal use of chemicals it was interesting and encouraging to note). We finished in time for lunch, and eagerly headed up to the pleasantly located cafe, only to find that under new management the menu has changed. For a place that didn't seem to be doing much business it seemed odd that there was a generous choice of four side salads, and yet for those with dietary needs it was unfortunate that all four choices were high in undesirable ingredients such as pasta. The superior meat pies have been replaced with ones that looked suspiciously like something out of the supermarket freezer, and burnt at the edges too. We would usually have stayed for dessert but didn't feel like experimenting further with the unfamiliar range of cakes.
Azaleas and freesias.
Pieris.
Azaleas.
Betula nigra, what wonderful bark.
Blossom tree.
We decided on an alternative place for dessert to make up for the underwhelming lunch, and having an hour or so to wait for the lunchtime crowds to clear (and there typically ARE crowds at the better eateries in the Parliamentary Triangle), we went to have a quick look at National Gallery, where work on a new entrance, galleries and major artwork out the front was recently completed.
After some further meanderings and a really nice early afternoon tea we continued on towards the nursery (I do seem to end up there a lot). The naturestrips and parklands are carpeted with yellow flowers, more than I remember seeing for a long time.
At the nursery the moss on this tree stump caught my eye.
Um, I think I've got enough birdbaths.
But I wonder if I can find space for another tree?
It's been wonderful to get out and enjoy the attractions of spring in Canberra but now it's time to devote some of this lovely weather to getting things done in our own garden.
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Postscript - More on the beautiful yellow flowers...
It turns out they're a weed, Capeweed or Cape Dandelion from South Africa.
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