Advent Blog Day 19: 12 Days of Christmas at the Butchart Gardens

It's another Butchart Gardens post! I went to Butchart Gardens last year at Christmas time. Sadly not this year because - you know. Anyway they have special displays set up at that time. It's a wonderful time to visit. Go at night so you can see all the lights. It doesn't get too cold. You won't freeze as you wander the pathways. Keep an eye out for the twelve days of Christmas. A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Two Turtle Doves

Three French Hens

Four Calling Birds Yes, they do have cell phones.

Five Golden Rings

Six Geese A-Laying

Seven Swans A-Swimming

Yes, it's blurry. This is the best picture I got.

Eight Maids A-Milking

Nine Ladies Dancing

I'm surprised I don't have more pictures of this. I thought I took several. This one was fun because each lady represented a different character in fairy tales and books. So we (as in me and complete strangers) tried to figure out who was who. The ladies spun around on this carousel, both turning in their spot as well as going around in a circle. I seem to remember Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Alice In Wonderland, and Snow White. But there were others as well.

Ten Lords A-Leaping

Where the heck is the picture? I am sure I took several as these lords were jumping up and down behind a fence. But can I find one? Nope. You'll have to visit the park yourself.

Eleven Pipers Piping

Several pictures here because I couldn't get them all in one shot. These are amazing life size Italian marionettes. They are displayed appropriately in the Italian garden. There is a plaque explaining who each marionette represents although I'm not sure I put them in the right order here. I was talking to the staff and mentioned that this was my favorite display and she said that she found them creepy. I can see the creepy factor - but I also think they're beautiful. What a marvelous collection!

Twelve Drummers Drumming

All the pictures I have of this are terrible. Probably because they are on the drive out, so I'm trying to take a picture of it while I'm driving! Not a good idea. The drummers are on top of the street lights as you leave. And they look like nutcrackers with drums.