Smelling the roses and hugging the trees

Fall is the only season we haven't lived through in Sydney yet, and since it's absolutely my favourite season in Ottawa, I've been curious to see whether the same will be true in Sydney. So far, I can't complain. The heat has settled down, and the blistering 30C+ days are only a memory. These days, the temperatures range anywhere from about 20C to 27C and the nights are nice and cool. But, the leaves are staying bright green and there are some beautiful flowers in bloom right now, making it very hard to remember that it's fall here and winter is coming.

Yesterday, after a lazy morning hanging around the house playing lego (Vic and Gus) and reading the newspaper (me), we drove out to the Botanic Gardens for some ice cream and a little exploring. Every time I go to the gardens, I am in awe of the beauty...hence the picture-heavy posting this week.

The entrance to the Botanic Gardens. Don't you love this sign and its message?

Really tall palm trees.


Gus, exploring the roots of the a huge gum tree.


A warratah, the state's official flower. (a little factoid I just learned today). It's also the name of the local Rugby League team, or is it Rugby Union team....Vic will be so disappointed that I don't know this yet.


Me and Gus and a couple of ice cream cones. Chocolate coconut and caramel macademia. mmmm.


Vic and Gus, goofing around in a cave. (just in case you don't get it - they're pretending to hold the roof up)


Vic and Gus, goofing around in some bamboo.


And lastly, there were a whole bunch of weddings going on while we were there. At this one, there was a polynesian band playing. It was soooo nice. I told Vic that if we ever have a real wedding, I'd like that band to play at our ceremony. If you're reading this, and you're not yet married, and you're looking for a good venue...Sydney in the Botanic Gardens is a beautiful setting, just think about it (you know who you are).


On a completely unrelated note, in the past week I've seen several women wearing harem pants. Really? Harem pants? Is this really a fad we want to bring back? And, is this unique to Sydney, or is this a worldwide phenomenon?