I’ve always enjoyed visiting Bella’s Lullaby, the homestead region design series by Bella (BellaSwan Blackheart), and have featured many of the various pastoral and rural locations it presents in the pages of this blog. So I was a little surprised to realise recently that I’d actually not visited at all throughout 2023; I thereafter set out a few days ago to put matters to right.
Now occupying a new location, the current iteration of the setting presents something of a windswept island with – to me at least – and feel of it belonging to northern latitudes; perhaps a place off the coast of Scotland or along Europe’s Wadden or Baltic Sea coastlines. Low-lying, it has a dearth of trees, but does has what seems to be rich, loamy soil in which wild grasses and flowers have taken root – and where humanity has inevitably settled, although not burdensomely so.
The main habitation appears to be a little farm, or perhaps it is the local lighthouse keeper’s home. The lighthouse itself is a short distance offshore, sitting on a little nub of an islet. however, it is hardly of the size to provide accommodation – assuming it is not fully automated.
Whichever way, the two cabins of the farm / home preside over the island, fence-lined tracks running from them and past outbuildings to reach the further parts of the landscape to the east, north and south. In the case of the latter two, this means running down to the water’s edge on one side and a little pier on the other, with the track then running back up the second of the two low hills of the island. Its end is marked by the rear half of an old pick-up truck, once converted into a trailer and now again converted into a stable (or horsebox, if mobile), the residence of the local donkey.
Bella’s Lullaby is the perfect spot for some quiet moments, drenched in sunshine and warmed by gentle breezes. A place where you can find calmness and peace, with plenty of photogenic and hangout spots to discover. .
– Bella’s Lullaby About Land description
A converted greenhouse lies en route to the pier, offering both and artist’s retreat and an outdoor seating area. Along the path running north is an old shelter, a book sitting on stool within its lee offering a map of the Florida Keys. Perhaps this is to suggest another place where this island might reside, although its demeanour seems to be too temperate to be the case. The shelter is apparently the abode of the local watchman – or at least, watch-cat; but like most domestic felines, he’s not allowing the demands of work interfere with a comfortable nap!
The island is home to a number of animals, both domesticated and semi-domesticated. Cows graze peacefully, dogs and cats are scattered here and there, and chickens cluck their way around. However, the most numerous inhabitants appear to be the local geese who might have something to say about interlopers clomping around, as the sign at the landing point (alongside the shelter noted above) makes clear!
Birds are also much in evidence, notably those from the TLC brand by Lautlos and True Redrose, and from the Grizzly Creek brand by Morgan Garret. Both of these brands have offered excellent birds to the SL public, many of which I have myself – notably from Grizzly Creek; and it is a shame that Morgan has apparently departed SL – or at least ceased trading as Grizzly Creek.
Also to be found scattered through the setting are various places to sit, making a stay on the island that little be extra engaging. In addition, considerable care has been taken with the local environment setting, such that the sky is one of the most realising I’ve seen of late in any region. It frames the setting perfectly, offering a further sense of pastoral serenity with just a sprinkling of darkness in the clouds to suggest rain might be lurking around. The soundscape also adds considerable depth to the setting, Bella opting to let the local birds speak for themselves and avoid sound makers dotted all over the setting.
Simple, engaging and utterly photogenic, in this iteration Bella’s Lullaby once again captures the eye and lens.
SLurl Details
- Bella’s Lullaby (Forks, rated Moderate)
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