A Day at the Botanical gardens of University of Utrecht

Despite it being a grey day, we decided to visit the Botanical Gardens of the University of Utrecht on Easter Monday. Steffie and I love gardening and we figured Robin might like it also (even though she wasn't sure what to expect).

When entering we saw this rocky hill with people walking to the top. A part of the botanical garden we planned to visit later in the day.

First, like an alternate version of the Lion, Dorothy and the Tin Man, we followed the withe brick road which would lead us to some interesting sights.

At the side of the road we saw some beautiful spring blossom. A sign of better weather to come en a particular favourite of Steffie.

We also saw several ferns awakening from their "winter sleep". A favourite of mine, as I love ferns and forests. 

After short walk, we arrived at the greenhouse. It was filled to the brim with tropical plants. 

It was a colourful spectacle with flowers and fruits on ground and eye level and plants crawling along beams near the roof.

There were also some birds, which didn't mind being photographed.

And inside another greenhouse there was a nice collection of butterflies. Some pinned....

.....and others still flying around.

We ended the visit with a cup of coffee, under a parasol, accompanied by a jackdaw, while the weather took a turn for the worst.

It was a beautiful and interesting experience.