Plunkett has been in architectural heaven since the lads headed to Cambridge a few weeks back…
… And he’d happily continue on in this vein indefinitely.
“Oooh, look! It’s the Norman doorway of the famous Round Church. Paddy, did you know that it’s one of four mediaeval round churches that are still in use in England todaaaaa…”
“No way, Plunkett! It’s my turn to decide what we’re doing! Come on, we’re off to…
… The Botanic Garden! Mad plants ahoy!”
There are over 8,000 species of plants crammed into this 40 acre garden, from every imaginable habitat. Deserts, bogland, jungle… You name it, it’s here! And of course, Paddy was determined to see (and climb) as many of them as possible. This photo was taken just as he spotted something good. Seconds later, only a Paddy-shaped dust cloud remained.
But Plunkett takes things at a more sedate pace. That has its rewards too… Look what he found!
This is a jade vine, which hails from Indonesia. If you can believe it, this crazy-looking hanging plant is a member of the legume family – it’s a long way from your average runner bean though!
In the wild, the jade vine is pollinated by bats, which up until recently has stopped it from producing any seeds. However, thanks to one devoted research student getting stuck in and pollinating the flowers by hand, the vine has set seed for the first time. Now seeds are being sent to other botanic gardens around the UK – maybe even one near some of you!
Meanwhile, Plunkett finally caught up with Paddy…
… Just in time to take the stepping stone path across the bog garden’s lake!
And on the other side, they were first plunged into the cool green depths of a bamboo forest…
… Before emerging in the arboretum!
“Hey look, Plunkett! This tree has a wall in it!”
“Hmmm… I wonder why?”
Later research revealed that this wild pear tree had split, and the brickwork is there to keep it together. The tree doesn’t appear to mind though – it certainly seems to be doing just fine!
And further down the road in the pinetum, Paddy found ample fodder for some really terrible puns!
Uh-oh! He’s had enough, and scarpered to The Mount to check out the view. Fortunately, he’s still happy to share the chair he found here with his old buddy – as long as Paddy promises to keep quiet!
Have you had any horticultural adventures recently? If so, please be sure to leaf a comment below! Or feel free to share your worst plant-based pun… Paddy’s always on the lookout for new material.
Here’s wishing you all a super week, catch you next Tuesday!
OMG, that is hilarious! I want to be a beastie when I grow up. They have the best life ever!
Hahaha, thanks Ivonne! 😀 Beasties really do seem to have it all figured out, don’t they?
The fountain and the tree and chair pictures are fantastic!!
Lots of greetings from Lu
Oh wow, thanks Lu! Paddy and Plunkett were traveling with a fellow Beastie Buddy, so I’ll pass on your compliment… It’s great to get feedback from such a great photographer!
Thanks a lot *freu sehr*
I’m so glad I ROSE to the occasion of REEDing this post. LETTUCE all thank P & P for emBARKing on this adVINEture. Okay, I may have been stretching things on that last pun. I love that jade vine – it looks a bit like the Chihuly glass chandeliers. I do feel sorry of that grad student though. Just think of having to tell friends and family you’re spending your days sexing up a plant.
Hahaha! 😂😂😂 Brilliant! Paddy’s going to be delighted with these… Plunkett maybe less so, because he’s the one who’s going to have to listen to them over and over again. “AdVINEture” totally works, extra points for that one. And hey, maybe that grad student is on to something – plants make great dates, y’know. They only ever drink water, and you never have to buy them flowers! 😀 Now I must go and look up the Chihuly chandeliers you mentioned…
Yes, but some of those plants are more than happy to kill you…something most people try to avoid when looking for that special someone.
Ha! You’ve got me there! 😀 I suppose it is probably better to stick to dating within your own species after all…
Paddy and Plunkett always make me smile.
Thanks Laura! I enjoy following their adventures too! 😀
I love me some botanical gardens! We visited some in Scotland a couple of winters ago and loved them! I love P&P in the trees. Ha! Pun away! And I adore them skipping across the rocks 🙂 How do they walk so far (on their eh hem whispering here: small legs??!??!)
Heehee! Don’t worry, Melissa… Beasties are quite proud of their little short legs. In fact, they secretly consider our long gangly limbs a tad freakish 😀 They’re also expert hitchhikers, and cover longer distances by stowing away in human pockets, bags and vehicles. So now you know! I’m a big fan of botanical gardens myself – I always seek them out when I’m travelling. Which ones did you visit in Scotland?
Paddy is a beastie after my own heart. We saw a jade vine at the Eden Project, but the flowers weren’t as big as that! I’d have loved to spend that day with the boys.
Yes, it looks like they had a great time… In their own very different ways! I imagine it would have been even better if there were a couple of Vaarks in the mix, too! 😀 I’m sure Paddy would love a trip to the Eden Project, we really must put that on the list…
He’d like Heligan too!
Hopefully someday soon!
haha, Helen – I’m enjoying the punny, plant fun here. 🙂 (Resin d’être… genius, hihi). The botanical garden looks lovely and enchanted, what an interesting jade vine. Dig those curly pods! And look at all that bamboo (I have never seen that much bamboo just… growing, very cool!). Wishing you a super weekend. 🙂
Thanks Shirley! I’m glad you liked Paddy’s puns, even if Plunkett was less than impressed 😆 Hope you have a great weekend too! 😀
Ha ha ha. That was PLANTastic! The Jade vine is really neat! I’ve never seen anything quite like that bricked up tree. It makes sense but it also so freaking cool! Love that they did the bricks in camo so they would blend in. 🙂
Yes, it’s cool, isn’t it? I just find myself wondering how they came up with that idea in the first place!
Lol. Yeah, it would have been interesting to be a fly on the wall for that convo. “I know how to save this tree! Bricks!” Or maybe it’s something more sinister and fantastic like there’s a wee fairy prisoner inside. 🙂
Oooh, I like that better! Your storyteller’s brain is clearly on the lookout for new plots…
Lol, yeah, you may be right there! I can’t help but keep thinking about this one though, I might have to test it out and see if I could make it work. Such inspiring pictures you take! 🙂
Beasties DO make rather good models, thanks to their adventurous natures and healthy curiosity! I should say that I can’t take the credit for this photo though… It’s the work of another Beastie enthusiast who is lucky enough to get more travel opportunities than I do. Have fun teasing out the angles of your next story! 😀
Thanks! I shall do my teasing best. 🙂 They really do make perfect models. Glad you have some help to help keep them having such great adventures! Always best to keep them entertained! 🙂
I know! I’m not sure I could handle the antics of these two if they were still at home… 😆