HortPark on a not too hot day

Finally made it to HortPark on Alexandra Road this week. Unfortunately the weather played truant and we couldn't stay long and explore the Southern Ridges. The upside of a fairly downcast sky was that there wasn't a soul apart from a TV crew, a few enthusiastic makciks and a sprinkling of tourists.

HortPark is beautiful and there are lots of ideas for the green-fingered. The play spaces and fantasy gardens are great for the little ones, laid out as they are in various sections so that there is breathing space in between.

It's also the perfect place to take your kids if you want to introduce them to the world of caterpillars. We had to walk carefully to avoid stamping on one, they were everywhere and some of the bushes looked ragged, chewed up as they were.

I could just imagine it all baking under the Singapore sun on a clear day. Why don't planners think of some shade so more people can use it between 11-3 when most playgrounds are empty for that very reason? Take water and snacks along, HortPark only has one fine-dining outlet. We ended up at Ikea for lunch.