Mt Annan Botanical Gardens - 16th August 2008

by Eva Burt

Photographs copyright Eva Burt 2008


Editorial Note: Although I wanted this account in Eva's own words I promised her that I would correct any spelling mistakes she made as she doesn't spell well in English. I have done this, but left a some in as changing them would have spoilt the flavour of the account. There are a few words that I have put an asterisk by which you may not understand; the meanings are at the end in a glossary.
Jen

Our Trip to Mount Annan

Penny our "OBCCTA" (Organising Blacktown Camera Club Travel Agent") informt as last meeting after we got a sheet of paper put in our hands, 'We going on the 16th Aug 2008 to "Mount Annan". You bring your camera gear, walking shuhs*, & a pullover. No back chatt - Bob will pick you up at 9:45 sharp'


So they was early. I was only half dressed. Penny helpt me & I got bundled out doors & no red drolly* and Bob would not pose for are photo.


We pickt Val up and via M7 we went to Mt Annan.


There was not a cloud in the sky. But the closer we came to Cambelltown some beautiful clouds formed

Mount Annan is located between Camden and Campbelltown & takes its name from the sandstone-capped hill of Mount Annan, the highest point on the side.

Mount Annan Botanic Garden is the Australian Plant Garden of the Botanic Gardens Trust & the largest botanic garden in Australia. Over 400 hectars in size. It is the home of 160 species of bird & native Australian animals including kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, lizards, snacks, spiders & fish.

There are 700 Eucalypts species that are native to Australia & gum trees & 6,000species of vascular plants. Now nearly 600 species now considered endangered or vulnerable in the state, through land clearing, weed invasion & climate change.

Established in 1986 as part of Mount Annan Botanic Garden "the NSW Seedbank" since upgrading in 1999 facilities now include a walk in freezer & cool room, seed testing room, temperature controlled germinating cabinets & seed cleaning equipment. The seedbank currently holds 8, 600 collections making it one of Australias leading seed storing facilities



So after all that info we araifed* safe & sound at the gate of Mt Annan thanks to our terrific bus captain "Bob". The garden is open 10am - 5pm

Entry:      Family or Car $8-80     Adult $4.40
                   Seniors $3.30     Children $2.20

There are 416 hectares & over 30km or walking & cycling tracks.


At 10:30 we all araifed* in Mt Annans car park, 11 of us eager photo snappers, we decided it was time for coffee, tea or hot Chocolatte. Dining room was still closed so we invaded the outside dining facilities - 1st thing rearranging tables - we needet 3 and 11 chairs. After we ordert through our friendly waitress we realised there was only 10 who ordered mugs - 1 lady needet a cup - don't peoples know mugs holds "more" coffee.


Well it was lovely (in the sun) & warm in the sun. Our trinks* nice & hot & we all had a good pick and nag at Nic with his 10 sugars in his coffee( its just jealousy from Eva's point of view on diets). Lots of laughs and chats- and rest - and getting lazy.
But slave driver Penny got us all up and going up the hill!! $%^&*!! One step at a time ! Not after she lost half the gang in the toilett.


We discovered a sign of frogs, lizard and spiders. Eddy showing his long one -----lens off & Nic decides to photograph his first flower after when the sun shines on it (remark of Evas "You want me to dig it out & put it in the sun??" he ignored that or is he deaf??)


At last Penny achieved the impossible! Everybody on the hill. Flowers are absolutely bresstaking* and even a bird. Everybody has different camera and different lens - so we all learn from each other. We discovered a lot of different birds, but you have to be fast & he is a big bird. Oh! Its Penny she is really happy with her new 70-300 lens - she even let Denis play with it.

There was a little pond, lovely reflections & a waterfall - $50 for anybody to make it exiting to jump in - no takers.


The hill get quite steep, but lots of steps with all brown and yellow sandstones. There was grevillias, wattle, colourful ground covers, & a blue native hibiscus, one flower came off the bush in Evas hand & here she is in trouble again.

Slowly the whole gang went up the steep hill discovering with every step something new.

Nic walked with his camera over his shoulder. What is he looking for?


Sometimes there was more talking than photographing - $50 who spotted that noisy bird in that big tree - Eva dit!. Still waiting for the money! There was the 3 mouseketeers (man) or 3 Pussyteers (females)

      
And then we discovered NOBODY can read - END of road.

See how many went in.


So Eva has more material for Blackmail.

Bob I told you look for a grevillea on the left not the right.


Well we photograpft the last Candle (Banksia) & slowly made our way down the hill - was easier.

Lunch Time - some brought their own lunch & was eating outside. Val, Eddie & Bob had a lovely meal in the dining room & Penny & Eva pigt out on carrot & celery sticks


Oh Boy! Too lazy to move. Explored the gift shop and nursery and we all decided getting into the car and explore more.

First stop the sun dial, step walk , beautiful view until Blue Mountains and St Thomas. We meet a nice bus driver who explains the history of the place & Eva chatted him up to the embarrassment of many.

      
Second Stop discovered the canal

Third The stone Wall & Wattle Garden

Fourth Banksia Garden


Fifth Blue Tree


Well we nearly seen everything. Done Everything - but then on the way out we went to the gift shop & got leaflets. Now we have to come back & explore that magic place called Mount Annan.

Thank you for all the hard working staff. The place is terrific

Sincerely from Blacktown City Photographic Club

Glossary
Shuhs - Shoes
Drolly - The red trolley holds camera gear
Araifed - Arrived
Trinks = Drinks
Bresstaking - Breathtaking