Autumn in Mt Lofty Botanic Park

Today was such a lovely autumn day with a cool breeze and a sky so blue with the occasional cloud drifting by.
We decided a look at the changing colours in the Adelaide hills would be a good idea. Packed a couple of sandwiches  and a tetra pack of orange juice (so much easier than thermos of coffee) along with our cameras. The drive to Meadows is always a delight, no matter what season we are in. The tall gums line the road and the light is quite soft giving the impression of a green oasis.

Driving through the hills we were surprised at how few trees had actually changed colour.
When we arrived at Mt Lofty park we were amazed at the number of cars already there. Of course I had forgotten that the school holidays had started last Friday and the place was over run with hyper active children. We found the new steps down to the lake and a picnic table on the edge where we sat to have our lunch.
The children had discovered that they could walk in the mud on the edge of the lake as the water

had receded quite a lot. The boys of the party found it more fun to throw stones and acorns into the lake. The girls had great fun getting the black mud all over their hands and clothes and later when I went to the toilet block, they were trying to wash the mud out of their shoes and socks in the hand basins. Mothers seemed to be very philosophical about it telling the girls the socks were beyond salvation and they may as well dump them in the bin....
no need for frugality there it seemed....

Taking photos was quite a challenge too, as no sooner had I found a lovely framed shot, some child would race into view or jump on the sculpture to have a play. Finally I did get the sculpture which now has a path going past it. Last time we were here it was a slippery slope.
I do love little paths that disappear into unknown lands and the little pagoda like structure seemed a lovely place for sitting and reflecting....children raced past, such undirected energy.....what joy to be alive