The Royal Treatment!

The Royal Botanical Gardens are a beautiful Oasis nestled on the northern slopes of old Hobart Town between Government House and the famous Tasman Bridge (I know I think everything in Tasmania is famous but this time I'm right! The TB has made it into a number of 'mainland' - ie Continental Australia - news reports and possibly a few international ones, thanks to it's infamous collapse in 1975 killing 12 and scaring the heck out of substantially more (including my Gran on my Dad's side who still refuses to cross it - with her eyes open!)) and is home to many beautiful variety's of flowers, trees and ducks!

Also makes a great place for some lazing about in the Autumnal sun fun!

"Hey Jo, forget the food for a sec and smile for this one ok?"

"Right! Well even if your not going to I'm gonna tickle a grin out of your grumpsy sister here!"

Bell passes the tickles Grandmaway ...

But No Grandma gets to be 'Grandma' without having learnt a trick or two!

"Do I look amused?!
Common guys, stop with the giggles and bring on the grub!"

"Man talk about boring! Who wants to eat when you could be exploring!"

Bell's after lunch adventures take her to the 'spiky' fern ringed duck pond (where she did not fall in, despite the grumpy strictures of the gardeners!),

and to a beautiful, cool, green fairy dell...

But favorite of all was the flaming red dragon's scales discovered in the gorgeous Japanese gardens!

Obviously some kind of 'Dragon tail' ... very artistically draped!

Posing with 'the Dragon' - obviously too big a beast to fit it's head in too!
Bell was very proud of her discovery!

The Dragon's lair ... they need lots of water - breathing fire is thirsty work!

Fortunately the beautiful Princess was rescued by a Gran-in-shinning-Armour!
Heading out the Castle gates and there's that mountain again ...

"All this walking sure is tiring Nan!"

Last stop, the hot house!
Another thing Grandma's are good for ... a few extra inches!

Shame their heads are so hard tho!!

The perfect spot for tired feet (and sore heads!)
Seriously you've really gotta love it here (converted anyone yet?!)