Exploring Maple Cross - Second Life

UPDATE -  Of course almost as soon as I blogged this the horse rezzer moved. The good news is there are now TWO. They are now located  at The Mousehole, Greenbow   and the rear of The Drowned Mouse, Navigation 

Animesh riding horse rezzer 

For anyone wanting to explore Bellisseria, the new Second Life continent, one option is on horseback, thanks to a horse rezzer which has been installed, free to use at the Mousehole, Maple Cross.
I found the rezzer easy to use; you can read a well written detailed review of the Teegle Animesh horse, here
It is 'open house' at Mousehole, owned by Teager, so I took the opportunity to wander around and try a cup of hot chocolate.

Sampling a chocolate drink at The Mousehole

Quite close to the house is a raised park set back from the road, a place to sit and relax with friends.

Maple Cross Park

Five reasons to visit - On the other Side, The Horizon, Second Life

Lavender Meadow  on the other Side

Over the last five years, I have travelled the length and breadth of Second life every day visiting countless sims while I collated other virtual explorers blogs on my Scoop-it page, Second Life Destinations, which I am proud to report has over 36000 followers.  But what places do I personally like to visit and why?  I thought I would share in no particular order some of my favourites with you, and why you should visit them.

Today's selection is "On the other Side" a Homestead Region designed by Michelle (xxmichelle20xx) and Indriel (indrielx).

The Butterfly Cave - On the other Side

Reason One - The Landing Point
It is often said that first impressions are important, and I love the Landing Point for the sim, a cave filled with blue butterflies, some resting on the walls, roof and floor of the cave, whilst others fill the air, dancing around you. A very memorable and spectacular entrance. Also in the cave is a teleport Michelle's shop, (JAS) main store, a link to the Other Side Flickr group, and a blogger link board,  The exit to the cave is not immediately apparent, however a large stone block when touched slides to reveal the way into the sim. This 'secret doorway' together with the kaleidoscope of butterflies makes for a great start to the visit.

Pandas - On the other Side

Reason Two - Pandas
There are Pandas here, and I like Pandas; actually, I like Pandas very much!

Jaguars -  On the other Side

Reason Three - Wildlife
Of course, the world does not just exist for pandas; well not solely for them  There are other animals. and the sim, which is, for the most part, a rural wetland is teeming with wildlife.  Here you can find deer, ducks, cranes,  egrets, crocodiles, goldfish,  cormorants, blackbirds, elephants and many more species,. If taking pictures of virtual wildlife is your thing, then you will find 'On the other Side' paradise.

Careless Alien Driver? on the other Side

Reason Four - Aliens
'On the other Side' is not a  fantasy build but neither is it a  straight virtual simulation of a real-life wetland either. Perhaps it is most accurate to say it has quirky features. In addition to deer and ducks, there is also a dragon flying above a tower, a mysterious rotating circle, inscribed with runes floating on one of the waterways, and perhaps most oddly of all, an alien paces up and down next to a crashed flying saucer. I find the juxtaposition of the normal, even mundane, with the extraordinary, very appealing.

Sitting with a friend On the Other Side

Reason Five - Activities
While a visually appealing sim catches the eye and draws you to it,  enthusiasm for viewing alien space ships or even photographing Pandas can quickly fade. Something else is needed. On the other Side has rideable Teegle horses, surfing with free rezzable surfboards and good waves, and plenty of places to sit with a loved one or friend.

Easter Egg Hunt - On the other Side

Reason Six - Easter Egg Hunt
OK counting has never been my strength. I just felt I should tell you that there is an Easter Egg Hunt going on at 'on the other Side' until the 22nd of April. I have also helpfully given you a strong visual clue as to where you might find the first egg!

I hope that I have sufficiently whetted your appetite enough to entice you to visit On the Other Side, if I have, be sure to visit soon because the sim is scheduled to close 13th May for redecoration.

Monet's Garden in Second Life

Monet's House at Giverny - Second Life

After watching a very entertaining video on TED  this morning about procrastination I decided it was time I wrote another blog post about one of the many places I have visited in Second life but never get around to writing about.

A birds-eye view of Shaula Kingdom

With a Castle, Church and Observatory, the Homestead Shaula Kingdom  is an interesting place to visit for Second life photographers and explorers alike and I hope to write more about the sim soon, today I want to concentrate on the North West corner of the island where Ninne17 resident has recreated Claude Monet's house and garden.

Easels holding Monet's paintings are dotted around the Gardens

At this point, I have to confess that I have never visited Giverny the village in Normandy where Monet lived and worked from 1883 until his death in 1926 but I have an artistic friend who has, and she was very impressed with the build. Much simplified and smaller the House and gardens were instantly recognisable. the biggest difference being the lack of large crowds!

The real Giverny is famous for its lily ponds

The highlights for me are the House,  which externally looks so like the pictures I have seen of Giverny, the colours of the planting and how they blend together, and the ambient sounds, of running water and birdsongs.

The building itself is currently housing a exhibition of works by Paul Cezanne with many of his most famous works on show.

The virtual Giverny will appeal both to Second Life Landscape photographers and also as a stunning backdrop for Fashion bloggers, while art lovers will enjoy the paintings.
Shaula Kingdom Landmark
The Shaula Kingdom Facebook page
For other blogs about the Shaula Kingdom see here

Returning to Cherishville in Second Life

Camels cross the rolling dunes

It was recent as late February that I last visited Cherishville the Homestead designed by Lam Erin  and  and at that time the sim was a wetlands with Pelicans and Cormorants in residence,  so I was surprised to see a wonderful picture from Damatjo Magic showing Elephants and describing the previously waterlogged Cherishville as a desert sim

Although still a home to shops, Soul Identity, selling Avatar accessories and  Ohemo, a Fashion and & Decor store, Cherishville has indeed been transformed, the boats, fish and sea birds have all gone, being replaced by Camels crossing rolling dunes of sand, and a watering hole being used by Elephants and Zebra,  watched by Lions and Tigers.

Big cats watch the animals at the watering hole with great interest
This version of Cherishville will only remain for a month or so, Lam is already planning a summer build. So come and visit and bring your camera!

Cherishville flickr group
Lam Erin's photostream 
Ohemo on SL Marketplace 
Soul Identity on SL Marketplace 
Previous blogs about Cherishville 
LM for Cherishville

Booklovers Coffee Hour at the Shoshin Cafe in Second Life - This Sunday!

The books are piled high, and Zoe Foodiboo is stood by with the Victoria Sponge Cake and Coffee, so come join the Booklovers for this month's gathering and chat about recent reads at the Shoshin Reading room, Sunday, March 4th, 1pm SLT.
  
 If you haven't read anything lately cause life's been busy, no worries.  Just come and listen


For more information keep in touch with the group Inworld or visit their Facebook page.
Visit the  Reading Room at any time.  You will find the bookshelves are not simply for scene setting but  feature reading material from the Shoshin Group,  with links to blogs, short stories, poetry and other writings are all there, or touch the book on the table for 100 Word Stories by Lawrence Simon..

Springtime in Cherishville, Second Life

Tranquil Cherishville 

Having seen some interesting pictures of Cherishville on flickr recently I decided to pay a visit.  Cherishville, a Homestead designed by Lam Erin is the site of two shops, Soul Identity, selling Avatar accessories and  Ohemo, a Fashion and & Decor store; however what drew to the sim was the photographic opportunities, both the marshy wetland feel,  none of Cherishville is more than a metre above water level, and the collection of abandoned rusty old cars which are strewn around.

Free kisses? In your dreams!

Handsome Mr. Lam Erin

"Then I caught one THIS big!" Have you ever noticed how boastful Cormorants are?

The different colours and textures of the grasses and flowers draw the eye.

One of many abandoned cars; they create a contrast to the easy on the eye flora and fauna.

Attractive grasses in the foreground, the marshy nature of Cherishville can be seen in this shot

Although a home for the two shops, this is also very much a photographer's sim  worth a visit.
For other blogs about Cherishville visit here  Cherishville has it's own flickr group, here. 

Booklovers Eggnog Hour at the Shoshin Cafe in Second Life - This Sunday!

The books are piled high, the Christmas Tree decorated and Zoe Foodiboo is stood by with the mince pies and eggnog, so come join the Booklovers for their last gathering of 2017 and chat about recent reads at the Shoshin Reading room, Sunday, Dec. 10th, 1pm SLT.

For more information keep in touch with the group Inworld or visit their Facebook page.
Visit the  Reading Room at any time.  You will find the bookshelves are not simply for scene setting but  feature reading material from the Shoshin Group, Erotica, links to blogs, short stories, poetry and other writings are all there, or touch the book on the table for 100 Word Stories by Lawrence Simon..

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