There’s nothing more heavenly on a sunny summer’s day than spreading a blanket on the ground and sitting or lying on it.

Steve Whysall once said, “the blanket becomes a magic square of comfort and safety floating on a sea of green and providing all the protection and provisions needed to create a place of sanctuary outdoors”

 One of the most heartwarming feelings is enjoying a pleasurable feast with your loved one, spent in the company of flowers, birds and butterflies. Picnicking is the best part of camping. It is a taste of outdoor living.  

The most perfect garden spot in all of Grahamstown is under the mountainous trees at the Botanical Gardens. The only entrance to the Botanical Gardens is a narrow path that gradually leads to the old trees bordering the fields that act as guards, overshadowing the sound of the busy town around them and creating a peaceful haven for the small creatures that lived inside. The only sound is the rustle of leaves and the birds chirping and whistling merrily to each other. Rays of light shine through the gaps in the crisp leaves covering the floor in dappled sunlight.

This is not only a beautiful open space with metres of gently extended lawns near a miniature lake under a wooden bridge. It is also a spot of beautiful happy past memories. I am reminded of my first year at university as an Oppidan student. During lunch and/or after lectures I would make my way to the Botanical Gardens lawns, especially if I did not have much work to do. I would look for a spot where there is an abundance of shade especially if it is a very sunny day. I would just engage with nature and immerse my spirit and/or soul with it or read a book and enjoy hearing the sombre sounds of the trees rustling and the harmonious sounds of birds chirping which seeks to soothe the soul and free it from the baggage of tension and strain but sometimes this moment would get disrupted by people passing by and children playing with their friends and/or their siblings. It would always be a blissful moment every time I went there. So, if you seek the most delightful view of nature when having a picnic with your loved ones or wish to unwind after a long day, or if you want to align your mind, body and spirit through meditation, the Botanical Gardens is the place to be.