Celebrating Mr PB's 40th birthday

Well hello, lovely PB friends! We’ve had a jam-packed past few days on Planet Baby – I’m just buzzing with things to share with you! After those last three very detailed posts on using photos, I’m going to take a bit of a breather and let the photos tell most of the story. After all the drama of the cake preparation (oh, and Mr PB read that post before seeing the cake so was most impressed with my efforts!), Mr PB’s 40th birthday finally arrived. The excitable pixies decided that cutting the cake for morning tea was desirable. Here it is.

And here’s the birthday boy with his trusty helpers, blowing out the cake (Sammy was asleep).

We were fortunate that Mr PB’s birthday fell on Royal Hobart Show Day, a public holiday, so we had our Daddy all to ourselves for the whole day. We spent a delightful afternoon wandering through Hobart’s charming Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, the second oldest in Australia, dating back to 1818 (Hobart was settled in 1803). Here is the intricate and spectacular set of wrought iron gates which were installed in 1878 after their manufacture in northern England.    

Aren't the gates just stunning?

I find it fascinating to think back to its colonial era origins, when it grew the plants needed for the young colony’s food and its economic benefit. The early settlers imported many thousands of fruit trees and vines in an attempt to recreate the bounty of ‘home’ on these distant and inhospitable shores. A number of the sandstone colonial cottages dating back to at least 1845 are still in use. I was intrigued by the boundary ‘Arthur Wall’ which was completed in 1829. Named after the then Governor, the convict-built brick wall was hollow and internally heated to encourage the growth of fruit trees planted beside it, following an English practice. However, it was soon discovered that fruit trees did very well without such help. Here’s a little more on the Gardens’ history.

The spring flowers are absolutely glorious at the moment, just a riot of colour. Here are some rhododendrons and camellias with the River Derwent in the background.

 Here's our darling India in serious mode.

 And smiling!

Ah! The best of friends!

Here are the pixies and Mr PB on the bridge over the pond where they’re feeding the ducks.

The wisteria, jasmine, camellias, poppies, tulips and zinnias were all bursting with colour. It really gladdened my heart.

Here’s the birthday boy with his brood. Oh, and wearing his new birthday clothes from the pixies.

And again, showing our scooter boy.

Oh, and remember how I told you about Mr PB’s marriage proposal to me? Well, we showed the pixies the little rotunda where it occurred. They were riveted! It was such a charming afternoon – we’ve decided to make it a regular affair as it was so enjoyable. Good night!