Wednesday 20 August 2014

documenting delight in the arboretum // warm trees, warm hearts


After our huge day at Questacon, we couldn't resist squishing in a little more fun by visiting the beautiful National Arboretum (it's like a zoo, but for trees?!). Why not keep the fun going?? It was the Brizuela's last day in Canberra so we wanted to fit everything in. After a play in the spectacular Pod Playground, we checked out the Himalayan Oak forest, which was looking a little cosier than usual....


(warning: image overload ahead! you may want to get a cuppa)


Trees get cold too, you know ;) The Himilayan Oaks were delightfully yarn-bombed!


We were roaming through the forest and Errol offered to take some snaps of Miles and I in the perfect afternoon light.
What a treat to have some shots with my darling... thanks Errol, I love them! Then Georgia kindly snapped some too, so goodness me, I felt like a celebrity for a moment haha ;)


These weird green reflections are nothing to do with Errol's photography, it's my weird camera. I don't know what on earth they are doing there?? They keep showing up when the light is bright :( Just ignore them?? ;)



I just wanna smooch him all day long! Love my baby boy to pieces, he is just so delicious!!



What more do kids need? Rocks, sticks, dirt, trees and space to play :)



Priya and Lily - the sweetest of friends. I love when Lily gets to hang out with a child as delightful and kind hearted as Priya. They connected so well :)


Miles decides to head for the hills...
Da Boyz.... hard at work, carving sticks!

Stop the presses. Two babies cuddling! Ultimate cuteness between Miles and Florin :)
'Ok, that's enough'
Stunning views at the National Arboretum. Some trees still tiny, but many have grown so much and are wonderful to explore.

Exploring the incredible 'Wide Brown Land' letters...so awesome! Look fantastic from a distance and up close too - the kids had a blast clambering all over them :)


Miles was happy to have a word all to himself :)
Babies hanging out, shooting the breeze.



Such an epic, beautiful, experiential structure!


'Mum, take a photo of me sleeping' ;)


This is how we all felt by the end of our epic, awesome day out. Exhausted but happy.



It was truly a delightful day, adventuring with friends!




16 comments:

  1. These are beautiful! I love that place and I've only been to the playground lol! I'll have to do more exploring next time.

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    1. thanks Becky! yes the playground is AMAZING and where we spend most of our time too!! but turns out there is soooo much more to explore :) check it out next time you are there!

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  2. Looks like a perfect day out!
    Those 'weird green reflections' are lens flare. It happens when you shoot into the sun and the effect is quite desirable in a hipster retro kind of way, So shhhhh, don't apologise, it's deliberate! ;)

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    1. ahhhhhhhh, i see! i knew you would have the answer, thanks Tarnya :) goodness i thought i had somehow ruined my lens or something. oh wait, i mean, i was actually being retro hipster!!!! lol. i noticed it was when bright light was at the top like sunset or candles but hadnt seen it before on other shots. good to know thanks ;)

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  3. Kate, these photos are beautiful! Isn't that spot just magnificent!? I love wandering through those trees with the kids, except I have never been when the sun was setting. You really did well with your timing there. I LOVE the shots Errol got of you and Miles. Precious images of you with your baby. And go the green flare! Lovely!
    I adore the Wide Brown Land sculpture too. Great that the kids can get up close to it too.
    Still blown away that both your families got to hang out together - so cool!

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    1. awww thanks hon, ive missed your encouraging comments :) yes, the time of day was a total score at the end of all our adventures. made the exploring all the more magical really. it was such a fun visit and im extra pleased you got to join us for a while too - perfect!! xx

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  4. So nice to meet you albeit briefly Amber! I didn't thank you on the day so thank you so much for the passes to Questy. It was a very lovely and generous gesture!

    Glad you liked the photos Kate, I had two very lovely models to work with haha. Seriously, I'm flattered you shared them. :) Thanks again to you, Mark and the kids so very much for opening up your home, hearts and lives to us weary travelers. Not just once but twice (gluttons for punishment or what?)! I thoroughly enjoyed Canberra and your families hospitality was out of this world. I hope we can return the favour one day and then some!

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    1. Amber is a gem, isn't she Errol? another great friend to have!

      thanks for your lovely comment too! your photos were seriously awesome! (get blogging, i say!!!) and i was so grateful you suggested taking some pics, i will treasure them.

      we seriously looooved having you guys stay, it was so nice to click so quickly and share big chats and kiddie antics. such a good time. it was a pleasure and you are so welcome the next time you trek through - anytime! :) the pod playground awaits too, you know! as for your invite... well, beware, our clan may just turn up on your doorstep one day, lol. be great to hang out again, hopefully not too long away.

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  5. These are just gorgeous! So jealous!!!!!

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    1. wish you were there with us, wouldn't that have been fun :)

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  6. Hi Kate,
    So happy I stumbled onto your blog through Documenting Delight :)
    Love your photos and writing!
    xx Fleur

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  7. We've only taken the kids to Canberra the one time and we missed the National Arboretum. Admittedly I had no idea it existed until I spotted it on both Documenting Delight's and your blog.

    I'm actually a little sad that I missed this opportunity, but the silver lining is that we have a very good reason to go back!

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    1. Yes, a good reason to come back indeed! Don't feel too bad, it's only been open for a year or so, so may not have been open when you visited? it is well worth the trip though, just a beautiful place to explore! xx

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  8. Wow, such beautiful photos! You and your little man have the most genuine, beautiful, and infectious smiles! It looks like it was a wonderful day. I've visited Canberra twice (Sydney gal here) and have never visited, let alone heard of, the forest. I'll have to track it down for next visit, it looks marvelous.
    P.S. I found your blog thanks to Documenting Delight's post about blogs, and I'm glad I did! :)

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by my little blog :) And for your kind and sweet words. The Arboretum only opened in the last year or so, so thats likely why you havent heard of it... good excuse for a visit to canberra perhaps?? :) It really is wonderful x

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