Botanical Gardens

the weekend before last I took Bluet and Ilona to the botanical gardens, which is kind of like the Zoo, except with plants instead of animals*, and it's free. Bluet is especially interested in the carnivorous plants. The greenhouses are also very useful when it is raining, and there is a big, fake tree to climb.

*aside from a some fish inc. piranahs

As if that wasn't enough excitement

Andrew and Maria came last Thursday (so 2 days after we returned from Cambridge): While they were here we fitted in a trip to the botanical gardens and a ride on a carousel, as well as a civilised meal in a nice restaurant. We've not been to the Botanical Gardens before so it was great to discover a place in Zurich that is open on Sundays, free and of interest to parents and children



Here Andrew is reading the Giant Jam Sandwich, a popular choice when we were kids too

More Garden Pics; Where Bluet has her first handshake

Soon, I shall crawl

Recommended for use as computer wallpaper

The first of a million handshakes; Caroline is def more into it

All photos are by Steve. These are not low quality iPhone pics

New York Botanical Gardens

Today, we went with Steve, Dorthea and Caroline to the Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. This is already pretty exciting, as you have to take the proper train (not just the subway) to get there. So remote is it, that trains run only once an hour.

I was hoping that there would be Bluet (flowers) in the garden, as I have yet to see them. However, we didn't see any - maybe they don't grow well in New York? We did see some chipmunks (which are like small stripy squirrels), a very tame rabbit (probably gone rogue from some nearby houses), and heard lots of frogs. Bluet was alert, then tired, then asleep in her carrier but hopefully all these experiences sink in somewhere.

For our picnic, we packed fine cheeses, bread, kippers, crackers and some peas - Bluet got milk. Again. Unfortunately, due to bizarre New York laws, presumably a hangover from prohibition, drinking of wine with your picnic is forbidden in the gardens, and indeed in all New York parks.

Then we went round the glasshouses - we've been to the orchid show there before, and it was very similar to that, but without the orchids. Still, I enjoy the smell as it reminds me of the Botanic Gardens in Cambridge, which we used to go visit every time anyone came to visit us in Cambridge when we were kids - from what I recall, my Dad had his own key, and there was a donkey.There are also lots of awesome cacti.

(an old picture of the glasshouse)

Once we got home, Bluet was exhausted after such exertion (she slept on the train too), and after eating some more, she had a good long nap, whilst Emily went to yoga and I read my book.

Right now she is awake again, and Emily is teaching her to shake her head.