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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TESTING 'VOICE' at VOICE ECHO CANYON - SECOND LIFE

Voice Echo Canyon

If you ever want to hear how you sound on Voice try visiting Voice Echo Canyon, 
Not much else to say about this destination except avoid the circling white shark created by Aura Linden. Oskar Linden's two shipping container boats on the other hand seem harmless enough.
There are several videos available demonstrating Voice Echo Canyon, I have attached here a link to one by Torley.

WANDERING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND - SECOND LIFE

The Forest - Winter Wonderland

I was reading through Second Life travel blogs when I noticed that Veyot referred to a sim, 'The Forest'  as a 'cheerful winter place.' I felt like a bit of winter cheer, so I put on some warm winter clothes and set off to explore. On arrival, the first place I found was the Tree Farm:

Collecting our Tree from the Twin Pines Tree Farm

The signs at the arrival point promised skiing, sleigh rides,ice skating, train rides, a ski lift, winter walks and more,  and I honestly meant to do something energetic, however the Hot Chocolate Bar right next to the Tree Farm was very tempting:

The tempting Hot Chocolate Bar

and so I settled down against a very comfortable Reindeer for a nice warming drink:

A very comfortable Reindeer

With the drink finished and the Reindeer restless, it was off up the ski-lift

The ski lift which does not pause at the top!

At the top of the mountain we found the North Pole Toy Co with the Great Man himself sat outside taking a break with his sledge parked at the side of the building.

The Great Man Himself

With so much crisp white snow about , we just had to try our hand at building a snowman:

Building a snowman

To get back down the mountain apart from using the ski lift again we had a choice of skis, saucer sledge, or conventional sledge

Free saucer sledge, skis and basic sledge all available

Somewhat recklessly I chose the saucer sledge:

I am not sure if you can see the fear in my face from this distance!

With the day drawing to an end there was just time for a ride on the train:

Riding in the train to round off the day.

So the day came to an end, I must go back and try the ice skating rink, shop  and walks
Here is the taxi to The Forest Winter Wonderland; I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.