Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

Today was another day of exploring for me, so I decided to head into the CBD and wander around the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens. This 38 hectares of garden beds, tranquil lakes and amazing sweeping lawns was founded in 1846. It is home to 50,000 individual plants representing more than 9,000 species from around the world. The last time I was at the Botanic Gardens was in July 2014 when my son Shane and his then partner had their pre-wedding lunch prior to heading to the Wedding register for the ceremony. So my visit this morning bought back some lovely memories.

 I have never spent time wandering around these amazing gardens before, but after spending 2 1/2 hours there I now know what joy it can bring to your day spending it amongst so much beauty. There are trees planted by English Royalty as far back as the 1920's and I even saw a Queensland Kauri that was planted in the 1800's.

One Huge Queensland Kauri

But trees are not all that these gardens provide, there's a Children's Garden, Ornamental Lake, Guilfoyle's Volcano, the National Herbarium and various tours and performances at specific times.

Looking over Guilfoyle's Volcano

Dramatic Leaves

Walpole to Denmark

Well it certainly was a big drive to get from Walpole to Denmark, it was all of about 65 kms. You would think seeing it wasn't a big drive we would still have lots of energy when we arrived - no such luck. We still both had to have a quiet afternoon. I think packing up Myrtle and then setting up again when we get to our destination takes more out of us than I ever thought it would. Denmark is a small village situated on the banks of Wilson Inlet and the mouth of the Denmark River. But it's a bit bigger than our last two stops - Pemberton and Walpole, with the shire's population of around 5,500. It comes across as a bit of a trendy town with a few interesting shops. I found one called The Sacred Tree that was right up my alley. It was filled with crystals, various packs of spiritual cards, North American Indian products and so much more, I could have spent hours in there. But at least I was able to get a crystal fix.
Today we had a very lazy morning hanging about Myrtle. Then this afternoon we went off for a bit of fishing in the Hay River and the Denmark River. The rivers around this area are beautiful with their tea coloured waters. The colour of the water is caused by tannin being leached into the water from the many trees lining the banks.
Much to our disappointment we didn't even get a bite let alone a fish. But it was still an enjoyable way to spend a few relaxing hours.


Fishing on the Hay River - no fish!!!

Even the locals weren't out fishing!! Or maybe they had eaten them all!!

Still Nature didn't disappoint me - Old Man Banksia looking grand.

Definitely no fish!!!

But still a relaxing afternoon on the Denmark  River.

Valley of the Giants

Today we visited the Valley of the Giants with it's amazing tree top walk in Nornalup. The Tree Top Walk is a 600 metre walk that rises gradually to a height of 40 metres into the tree canopy. We were both unsure how we would go walking up into the canopy as you could see straight through the wire walk way. It has also been built to sway slightly in heavy winds. I really didn't think Shane would do it as he doesn't like heights at all. But he surprised me, in fact I think he went better than me. Although he did swear a lot while walking along it. Then as we gradually descended and reached the forest floor, another delight in the Ancient Empire awaited us. The Ancient Empires walk is a relaxing walk through the feet of the ancient 400 year old giants of the forest, the Tingle trees, you can even walk through one.

Up in the tree tops !!

Smiling but still holding on!!

Another BIG tree

Grandmother Tingle
The burls and gnarled bark of this distinctive red tingle tree give it an
almost human character - a female, grandmotherly character.
It's almost as if she is watching over the forest, observing all those who enter it.
This matriarch of the forest measures more than 12 metres circumference and is estimated to be more than 400 years old.

Augusta to Pemberton

Pemberton is a small village with a population of just under 800, although at this time of year that swells quite a lot. The township is set in the picturesque Western Australian Southern Forests. When we first decided to stay here we kept hearing how the area was famous for its trees. This didn't seem like such a big deal, that was until we got here and saw the beauty and size of the Karri. The Karri tree, which is a type of Eucalyptus, is a tree that grows up to 90 metres in height, making it one of the tallest trees in the world. This tree is native only to the South West of Australia. In days gone by  a series of fire lookouts were constructed in the top of a few very tall Karri trees. The first Karri fire lookout tower, called The Big Tree, was constructed in 1938. By 1952, eight tree towers had been constructed. There are still three of these fire lookouts open to the public. For those people that are a lot more adventurous than me are able to take up the challenge of climbing two of these trees. The Gloucester Tree at 72 metres in height is one such tree. I couldn't believe that not only were people climbing these huge trees but they were allowing their children to climb them. There was one little girl around 10 who climbed to the top. I can tell you it had my legs shaking and I was safely on the ground. The Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree is another tree the public can climb just out of Pemberton. The lookout was first pegged in 1988 as part of Australia's Bicentennial celebrations. At 75 metres above the ground, it is the tallest lookout with a 360 - degree view of the old growth Karri forest.



Amazing Tree Canopy

Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree

If you ask me these people are crazy!!!

Marianne North Tree - The Burls on this tree are amazing

The undergrowth was delicate

For someone who hates heights Shane did pretty well going over this swing bridge

The caravan park we are staying at is literally on the edge of the forest. The sounds of Nature are beautiful to listen to. But you have to catch it early in the morning. As it's school holidays at the moment it isn't long before the kids in the park are yelling, screaming and carry on as only kids can and should. I must admit I have had a bit of a re-education on just how noisy kids can be. But something that has really surprised and shocked me is the way some parents talk to their children. The family staying next to us have a little boy about 6ish, and from what I can tell he is a bit of a handful. But I have never heard a mother talk to a child in the way she is. I think she is so angry with this little man that she has forgotten he is her cherished baby. It makes me sad.

With tomorrow being the last day in 2013 I would like to take this

opportunity to wish you all a very very Happy New Year and may your

2014 be filled with lots of love, laughter, health and above all FUN.