A walk in Kings Park and Botanic Garden in the rain on Easter Saturday made my mind buzz. It has been a long time since I’ve been there. Once a regular visitor. I’d forgotten how beautiful it is. I thought of my walk as an ‘artist’s date’.

Beautiful stretch of parkland

The idea of an ‘artist’s date’ comes from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. I came across this life-changing book by a lucky chance almost two decades ago. Recently, feeling creatively challenged, I began to reread it and to redo the exercises. Julia Cameron says that people who want to live creatively need to write first thing every morning.

Creative people (and that should include all of us) also need to take themselves on regular dates. Alone. As a time to refill the creative well that can run dry if not stimulated.

A cherished memory of a picnic with my family to celebrate my 70th birthday

Arriving in Kings Park alone stimulated many stored memories. I recalled single events from long ago. Many of my memories were generic, made up from repeated experiences. I’ve been going to Kings Park for well over seventy years. While I remembered, I also saw everything with fresh eyes.

The layout was familiar, but there were new features to enjoy and new vistas to explore. Some parts were disappointing. The Pioneer Women’s Memorial Lake was partly covered with a music shell. The Treetop Walk was closed for maintenance. Next time, everything will be different.

There’s something for everyone in this wonderful place. Playgrounds. Picnic areas. Long bush walks. Swathes of manicured lawns. Whimsical sculptures. Information plaques. Lakes, streams and cafes. Every turn can reveal an unexpected vista. New features blend seamlessly with old. The Botanical Garden is a display of flora from all over Western Australia. A Boab Tree from the Kimberley is featured.

Kings Park would usually be  busy on Easter Saturday. I expected picnickers, walkers and playing children. Instead, it was almost deserted.

Photos from Kings Park

Here are a few more of the photos from my walk.

Whimsical Thunderbird sculpture near a playground in Kings Park

Mosaic tiled path in the Banksia Grove

Late-flowering Banksia

A fabulous hour or two on my play-date with myself. Comments very welcome.