I arrived for lunch and after lunch sketching with Melbourne Urban Sketchers at the Royal Botanic Gardens. It was a beautiful day and lovely place and way to spend a Saturday afternoon. We were so very fortunate to be offered a cruise on a Punt by Ayami
from Punting on the Lake on the Ornamental Lake.

Ayami told us so many bits of information about the lake, punting, plants and the wildlife on the lake. She is font of knowledge and has a passion for the lake and wildlife. She took us past Cobi (cob) , a male swan sitting on a nest, while Penny (pen) his mate was nearby on the water. Two days later she sent photos of the little fluffy cygnets.

Punts seems to glide slowly over the Lake – and they do, unless you are sketching and then objects and scenes go by very quickly. My sketches are very quick !

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I highly recommend taking the 30 minute cruise with Punting on the Lake when you visit the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne. Melbourne residents and visitors will both learn so much from a cruise in one of these elegant wooden boats .