Touring Toshi Farms in Second Life

Toshi Farms – click any image for full size

We originally visited Toshi Farms back in , when the region was in the depths of winter. However, at the time things were such that I didn’t get to write about it, so when Shawn Shakespeare suggested we should go see the region now spring has arrived, it was added to the list of places we should see “soon”.

Designed by Syx Toshi and his SL partner Bryn Toshi (Bryn Bulloch), Toshi Farms is a homestead region designed as something of a public park, linked at it now is to its neighbour, Peace, lying to the north.  Whist “farm” might feature in the title, the design of the region is intended to be that of a nature reserve.

Toshi Farms

Bryn and I have tried to create a natural country setting that you would experience in RL. A Farm and Wildlife refuge where you might catch a glimpe of any of over 50 different animals.

– Syx Toshi, describing Toshi Farms

Caught in spring colours, both regions present an engaging and photogenic opportunity for exploration – although beware that at least a part of Peace a private home to Syx and Bryn.

Toshi Farms

Dry dirt tracks wind through both regions, offering clear routes of exploration, although there are paths to be found that depart from them, allowing  visitor to wander off the tracks. However, given that both regions are undergoing construction / update, be aware things might get shuffled about (the Toshi’s home, for example, uprooted itself and moved from Toshi Farm to Peace between two of our visits! 🙂 ).

Follow the tracks, and you’ll find some of the wildlife Syx mentions – bears, raccoons, birds; while horses, cattle and goats occupy the fields in both regions. Also to be found along the paths are places to sit and relax – benches, blankets on the grass, swings; while water tumbles through streams and hill mountains cast a protective wall around the setting.

Toshi Farms

Close to the bridge linking Toshi Farm to Peace sits a summer-house (or it did on my last visit! – As noted things are still being changed 🙂 ). Within it, a fire burns warm in the hearth and comfortable sofas await visitors, banks of flowers surrounding it on three sides. Climb the stairs to the little balcony above, and a blanket lies set with a picnic.  Walk down to the waterfront a short distance away, and a dock with kayaks gives the opportunity for those  who wish to take a trip out on the waters – say to the offshore diving platform.

One of the things that makes Toshi Farm attractive are the static characters that have been set out here and there. They bring a little life to the regions – although I’m not entirely sure all of the handymen working here and there are completely au fait with the tasks they have been given – although they do raise a smile on being seen.

Toshi Farms

A charming pair of regions (assuming Peace remains a public space – it is still under construction at the time of writing) that are pleasing to the camera’s eye, Toshi Farms makes for a worthwhile visit – and this shouldn’t be missed, even if Peace doesn’t remain a public offering for visitors. And given things are in a state of flux, more than visit might be in order!

SLurl Details

• Toshi Farms (Norton, rated: Moderate)