Author: Inara Pey

In July 2023, JimGarand presented a version of his Grauland Homestead region re-titled as Grauvik, a distinctly Scandinavian setting representing a fictional island off the coast of Iceland (see: A touch of Iceland in Second Life).

For early 2025, he now presents a further take on Grauvik in the form of Grauvik 2. It’s a design which retains the rocky, somewhat volcanic look and feel of 2023’s edition, suggesting it still be fictionally located close to Iceland, but which has touches suggestive that it could just as easily be off somewhere like the Norwegian coast. I’ll also note here that Jim has utilised PBR materials in the design and no BP fallbacks, so you’ll need a PBR-capable viewer to appreciate it.

This iteration brings an entirely new design to the island, with the 3D art pieces seen in 2023’s Grauvik entirely absent – which is not to say a 3D artistic presence is entire absent the island, a point I’ll come back to. Instead the island now carrying with it the suggestion of a private retreat; one served by a small dockside area to the north-east. It forms the setting’s Landing Point, and is capable of servicing floatplanes as well as small boats – a de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver of the Grauland Flying Service sits above the slipway.

These docks have been built into the one natural cove on the island, the rocks and slopes around and behind it suggestive that it might sit sheltered from the worst of any bad weather that might sweep over the island. Which is not to say it is the only low-laying point on the island; while the core of the setting sits upon rugged plateau of what might be granite or basaltic rock, there are flatlands around the coast – particularly to the north-west – and cinder beaches suggestive of volcanic sand cling to the coastline sufficiently well enough to allow visitors to completely circumnavigate the island on foot, almost never leaving the sands.

Beside the docks with their large hanger for maintaining visiting aircraft (and perhaps small boats hauled up the slipway on trailers), the island s home to three other significant structures, all designed by Jim.

The first and largest of these is the New Pramma House, and it literally dominates Gruavik 2, sitting as it does on the highest point of the island’s spine capable of comfortably supporting a building. As one might expect from such a position, it presents commanding views to the east and west, and is most easily reached by walking up the volcanic sands of the slope at the southern end of the boat moorings.

This route actually passes below a trail cut along the spine of the island to connect the New Pramma House with the remnant of an old lookout building on a shoulder of rock looking to the east, the black coastal sands below it speared by plugs of rock which have stood firm against the passage of time and tide as sea has clearly conquered the softer rock and earth around them so only they remain.

As well as connecting the main house to the out look-out building, the rough path also branches to provide access to the second largest house on the island as it sits to the south. Crouching on a sturdy foundation of cut and mortared stones, this rectangular cottage is hunched behind a rocky wall cut through be steps running down from the trail, and firmly states that the flat headland on which it sits is its own to command, a large deck extending out from it to the edge of the rock.

Those walking around the coat of the island will actually pass under this cottage by means of a tunnel cutting through the rock below it, passing by way of one of several places to sit scattered across the island. The tunnel will bring explorers to a further stretch of dark beach down to which the path from the top of the island descends by way of wooden board walks hugging the rock, platformed stairs and broad wooden decks.  One of these decks extends out over the sea, in part sheltered by more fingers of rock which rise from the waves and perhaps help break the worse of the sea’s ebb and flow to leave the waters here calm enough for safe bathing and swimming.

It is to the north of these boardwalks and reached via a path of loosely laid planks on the sand, that the third of the houses can be found. Like the others, it is of an ultra-modern, clean look, and it sits within it own gravel surround to offer split-level accommodation as it looks westward. However, it is on the rock-straddled beach extending to the front of this house – and home to numerous seagulls resting their wings – that a curiosity lies.

Ranged over the sand is a scattering of Czech hedgehogs. Are they a remnant of the war time era, originally placed there to prevent tanks and other vehicles from crawling up the beach between the rocks at low tide, or ready to lurk under the waves at high tide awaiting the opportunity to rip out the hulls of unwary landing craft? Perhaps they have been gathered by a dedicated artist and painted against the harm of rust before being deliberately set out in a modern artistic statement? Either option pokes at the imagination.

From here, circling the island on foot is completed around the base of the northern cliffs along a gravel path as it returns visitor to the Landing Point. Or, if you prefer, the path can serve as the start of your explorations! 😀 .

I’ve always enjoyed and appreciated Jim’s builds, but have to confess there is something about Grauvik 2 that really appealed to me; I’m not sure if (again) this is due to the hint of the rugged beauty of Iceland within it (Iceland being one of the two major island countries in the world I absolutely adore visiting), or simply an admiration for the design as a whole (I admit to being particularly drawn to the New Pramma House!).

Not one to miss – the PBR caveat notwithstanding.

SLurl Details

• Grauvik 2 (Liberia Isle, rated Adult)

Isla Enchanted is a charming Homestead region designed by Isla Nebula and currently open to exploration by visitors. It comes with a simple description:

A charming village, nestled in the mountains and beside a peaceful lake, calls for exploration. Wander the area to discover its magical, hidden gardens.

– Isla Enchanted About Land description

Surrounded by mountains, if separated from them by water, the region sits as two contiguous but separate parts. The larger area of the region, mostly low-lying and shouldered by walls of rocky cliffs, is home to the village mentioned in the About Land description. Encompasses the region’s Landing Point, the village comprises little cottages and cabins scattered between fields both cultivated and rich in wildflowers, the way through the landscape marked by a meandering gravel track.

These lowlands are overlooked to the west by  a large plateau topped by two rocky peaks, the larger of which is in turn capped by a large abandoned house. Reached via the track from below switch-backing its way up one side of the plateau, one of these rocky peaks is surrounded by an ouroboros-like stream which, if not exactly eating its own “tail”, is very much chasing its rushing, bubbling self around and around never losing tempo.

Spanned by two bridges – neither of which connect to the outer path as it skirts around the lip of the plateau – the stream’s endless circling is the first aspect of mystery to be found atop the plateau. Two more can be found in the caverns under the two peaks, both connected one to the other by the bridges.

One of the caverns offers a hint of magical goings-on, whilst the other appears to be as mysteriously deserted (outside of stone fireplace and its rising flames) as the house above, perhaps prompting questions as to what might have gone on within both , and why they now appear abandoned. A further hint of magic is to be found tucked behind the two rocky peaks, in the form of a peace meadow with a fairy garden.

Unlike the house up on the peek, the cottages and cabin down in the village are far from abandoned, instead offering themselves as cosily-furnished little retreats, their gardens presenting photogenic vignettes alongside of the fields, all of which – gardens, fields and footpaths are dotted with little touches of details to bring them further to life.

To the east, cliffs throw themselves across the land as a tree-flanked wall seeking to repel invaders, a single arched pathway allowing passage through their bulk. It leads to a marvellous enclosed garden quite magical in its presentation. Here, just past the arch, a rowing boat floats on a sea of flowering grass, mooring lines holding it close the a tree-shaded dock as swans stand guard around it, a shoal of fish pass overhead and taller flower throw their leaves and tendrils upwards like plumes of water frozen as time around them stands still.

Close by, and on the same sea of flowering grass, carved creatures, perhaps a mother and youngling, cast ripples outwards across the flowers as their moss-covered forms appear to swim past another tree. Rich in multi-hued leaves, this tree also appears to offer the perfect hide to which the floating blue jellyfish drifting through the air might retreat, should danger threaten.

Facing these vignettes is a delightful outdoor tea room offering tempting delights whilst surrounded by its own garden. Elsewhere, topiary horses guard a shaded piano and candles burn before a mirror while swings and cup-seats add their own attractiveness to the setting.

Designed in a way to be attractive under a range of environment settings, Isla Enchanted could perhaps benefit from a little more in the way of ambient sounds (bird song from the trees, perhaps?). But that aside, there is no mistaking its tranquil beauty and opportunities for exploration and relaxation.

SLurl Details

• Isla Enchanted (Honeycomb Hills, rated Moderate)