Birmingham Botanical Gardens

 DDC and I arranged this day out some time ago.  

I used to take the children to visit when they were small, as did my Mother.  I used to enjoy this time with Mam, and we so loved the gardens.  Her mother used to take her and it became a regular family outing for them.

Botanics, as it is known, has been there a long, long time with just a few small changes.  I remember the white cockatoo sat just inside the Green house and would always say 'hello' to us as we entered!!  

The pond is still in the centre of the Greenhouse and the fish, as always, demanded a good amount of time to look . . .

After visiting the Greenhouse and the Hot House - cacti -  we stopped for lunch.  The boys wandered off and did  some exploring of there own . . . 

They found the bandstand, rolled down the hill and then found the Aviaries . . .

The Aviaries have great Victorian Architecture and topiary . . . 

Afterwards as we walked along one of the paths we came to a playground.  This was really interesting, I won't bore you with its features but so well thought out . . . . even a broken wrist did not spoil the exploration . . .

     

Then it was along the path to the exit as Grandma was very tired . . . . she sat and waited while the boys and Mam went off to explore yet another play area - Treetops Area - so I can only guess . . .

As we walked along the paths through the Pinetum a very large cone was found!

This now sits in the pot just outside my backdoor, forecasting the weather!

We found the Japanese Garden wow!  those bonsai trees . . . .

      

No wonder they are kept behind bars . . . 

We then headed back to the entrance/exit, stopping to look at the fish again,

 exhausted (in my case!) but happy.  

What a super day out!  must do it again. There were several areas we didn't manage to visit  (we were only there 5hours!) but next time may be in Spring!