Category: Exploring Second Life

La Digue du Braek, Muppets Island – click any image for full size

“The warehouse at the back is fun,” Cube Republic told me, when passing me the landmark to La Digue du Braek last week – and it is. Sitting at the “back” of the region (in terms of how you reach it if you follow the road), it’s a veritable curiosity shop, stacked with bric-a-brac and topped by a chandeliered club house.

La Digue du Braek is the work of Serene Footman, responsible for the stark beauty of Furillen (which you can read about  here and here), and his SL partner, Jade Koltai. Like that design, it is based on a physical world location, in this case the 7 kilometre long headland sitting between the English Channel and the working port area of the Dunkerque grand littoral intercommunity in Hauts-de-France.

La Digue du Braek, Muppets Island

It is on the seaward side this headland, known for the long road running along it, that visitors arrive in the region. The air is heavy with haze, and a short walk up and over the dunes is required to find the road. This brings into view the Canal de Bourbourg, which runs between the headland and the busy port, the shadowy bulk of which can be seen through the haze. The road itself sits at the foot of the dunes, running east from the maw of a tunnel before turning south to enter the port via a metal bridge. A ruined house and ageing pillbox, reminders of Dunkerque’s physical history, watch over the road.

Like the sky under which it sits,  the port is grey and tired looking, colours muted by years of work, the drabness seems only relieved by the bright colours of the containers stacked in their three wall-like rows. Ships are berthed alongside the wharf, their tired engines belching oily smoke up through their funnels to add to the haze of the sky. Tall cranes stand against the skyline like giant one-legged stick figures with oddly disproportionate arms, while the rounded bulk of oil storage tanks squat around their feet.

La Digue du Braek, Muppets Island

This is a busy place – but it is also one with certain incongruities which offer interest spiked with a little intrigue. It may be a working port, but the local power substation  appears to be in a state of disrepair and no longer connected to the main power grid. Further along the wharf, near the bulk of the warehouse, sit the wrecks of crashed trucks and vans, their broken and damaged remains apparently ignored; then there is the curiosity shop of the warehouse itself, complete with television eyes watching all who come and go.

But perhaps the most unusual part of the region lies close to port entrance. It is a great iron frame which rises into the sky to rival the tallest of the cranes. Metal stairways connect its multiple levels, within each of which sits at least one old mobile home or prefab. It forms a vertical trailer park, a place anyone who has read Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One will doubtless recognise.

La Digue du Braek, Muppets Island

La Digue du Braek is another atmospheric build; one rooted in the physical world but with interesting twists of the unexpected. It stands both on its own and as a companion to Furillen, and I’ve little doubt those who have enjoyed the latter will enjoy a visit here – and if you’ve not visited either La Digue du Braek or Furillen, now is the time to drop into both!

SLurl Details

• La Digue du Braek (Muppets Island, rated: Adult)

Rosemoor, Jadeite – click any image for full size

I received an e-mail from Krys Vita a few days ago (at the time of writing at least!), announcing that Rosemoor, the region she designed with Arol Lightfoot (and of which I wrote about in May 2016), has re-opened to the public for Christmas, taking on a suitably wintry look in the process.

“It’s a winter necessity ;),” Krys said, in describing the change-over in region looks when Caitlyn and I jumped over for a visit. I’m not sure “necessity” is the right word; I’d personally opt for “delight”, as Krys and Arol present a beautiful outdoors setting, lightly wooded and surrounded by high hills. Snow falls from a sky it has made hazy as the sun sits low on the horizon, blanketing the ground and insulating rooftops.

Rosemoor, Jadeite

A water channel cuts so deeply into the land, it almost divides it in two, a single bridge spanning it from north to south. But such is the time of year, the water normally flowing beneath the bridge has frozen over, becoming a slippery alternative  route through the landscape.

To the north-west of the land stands a substantial farmhouse, a dirt track winding southwards past a tall barn and the region’s landing point. Here, horses graze in a corral, a vintage – but clearly well-maintained – truck parked close by. Just beyond the barn sits a tracked snow plough, undoubtedly the reason for the cleared route down from the farmhouse. It sits at rest now, secretly offering a place to sit for those who might volunteer a click. Beyond it, the clear path gives way to frosted grass and a growing carpet of snow, fir and oak trees pointing the way towards the red steeple and whitewash walls of a country church.

Rosemoor, Jadeite

A hill lifts its humped back just a little to the east of the church, its top crowned by an A-framed chalet surrounded by a raised deck. Snug and warm inside, it enjoys a commanding view over the land. With a fire in the hearth, and a decorated tree surrounded by wrapped presents, the single room chalet suggests it might be a winter getaway for someone.

Down the hill from the chalet, and across the water from the church and the barn, sits a little cabin, door thrown wide and fire again burning in the hearth. Quite what its purpose might be is for you to imagine; while a fire may well be lit, the pumpkins on the floor have all seen better days. While they may sit as a reminder of Halloween, one has to wonder why they haven’t be removed.

Rosemoor, Jadeite

As well as exploring, visitors to Rosemoor can find much to do. You can snuggle in a sleigh, for example, or ice skate on the pond (or indeed, on the frozen water just beyond it); there are benches and seats an swings to be found throughout. And if you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll find a place where you can grab a sled and ride it where you will –  just be careful with the local reindeer and other wildlife! Of course, if all the snow and cold air starts to get to you, the farmhouse and chalet offer a cosy respite and a chance to warm up once more.

Between them, Krys and Arol always cook up scenes which delight the eye. and Rosemoor’s winter setting is no exception. As noted above, it will be here until Christmas – which given how busy this time of year can be, might fly by all too easily; so do make sure you set aside a little time and take a wander through its wintertime setting.

SLurl Details

• Rosemoor (Jadeite, rated: Moderate)

Let It Snow!, Timamoon Arts – click any image for full size

For the last two years, a regular seasonal destination for the Pey household has been Milly Sharple’s Let It Snow!, and I’m happy to say that it is once again back, and Caitlyn and I donned our woollies and our boots to explore the delights that artist Milly Sharple has again cooked up to help people into the Christmas mood.

The venue this year is slightly different to those of the past: rather than occupying its own region, Let It Snow! has been relocated to the sky over Milly’s arts community of Timamoon Arts – but this doesn’t make it any less enchanting a place to visit; there’s just as much to explore, see and discover as ever.

Let It Snow!, Timamoon Arts

Journeys begin, appropriately enough, on the north side of the setting, where sits a little paved square with Christmas shop and coffee-house waiting to wrap visitors in their warm embrace after a wander through the waiting landscape. A gentle snow is falling, softening the outline of distant forested crags and peaks.

A rocky hill also raises it head and shoulders from the middle of the landscape, encouraging visitors to go either east or west around it, a path marked by rounded rocks and stone perhaps encouraging most to try that way first. Whichever way you opt to go – along stone-marked path or over virgin snow, rest assured the two routes will reunite on the far side of the hill.

Let It Snow!, Timamoon Arts

Eastward, over the snow, lies a romantic little gazebo across a frozen stream, and open countryside sweeping around to a small park with carousels and merry-go-rounds. Milly’s collection of Snowboys are one again at play here, and a pair of little figure up on the slope a duet sing carols.

Westward, the path swings past a snow-laden house looking out over frosted trees to where a converted greenhouse welcomes couples and groups into its warmth. Follow the path beyond these, and it’ll take you by way of Santa’s grotto to where it branches, one arm leading its way up the rocky slope of the central peak, the other pointing the way to a crystal palace glittering in the snow, waiting to welcome visitors to the events which will be held within.

> Let It Snow!, Timamoon Arts

Should you feel in the mood, a frozen pond offers the chance for ice skating, whiles signs and givers can be found through offering wearing sleds and skis for the venturesome. For those fancying something a little less exerting, the carousels and merry-go-round mentioned above might be just the ticket!

With swings and snugs and seats scattered throughout, Let It Snow! is a place which encourages folk to tarry; Caitlyn and I watched the world walk and run by from the cosy blankets of a sleigh.

SLurl Details

• Let it Snow! (Timamoon Arts, rated: Moderate)

The Mill, Pale Moonlight – click any image for full size

Friends Maxie Daviau and Shakespeare (SkinnyNilla) recently gave their Homestead region of The Mill a makeover and invited Caitlyn and I over to take a look as it opened to the public once more.

The last time we visited, spring was very much in the air; now with the northern hemisphere settling into the winter months, The Mill has taken on a snowy look to match. Several of the familiar elements which have marked the region are still there: the sailing boat off the coast; the windmill; the shed, cars and motorbikes; the little tram track and tram. But there is also much to see that is new.

The Mill, Pale Moonlight

With snow lying heavy on the ground, and in places drizzling down from the sky, the time of year is immediately apparent. The trees stand frosted, some with boughs naked under the sky, others with leaves frozen and golden under the pale sunlight. Here and there the passage of vehicles and feet have churned the snow and brought forth the ground beneath, giving rise to sandy tracks across parts of the landscape.

The lighthouse still stands up on a hill, but the keen-eyed may note it now sports a new stripped paint finish, and the keeper’s house has gone from its base. Perhaps the keeper now lives in the little stone cottage further down the slope from the lighthouse. If he does, the zip line down from the side of the hill might offer a quick route to the tram-car!

The Mill, Pale Moonlight

A farm with a chalet-style house sits towards the middle of the region. It’s a place where Christmas preparations are clearly in hand, although the cats are more content to spend time outdoors despite the snow, keeping watch on the horses. Nestled in the hills to the east of the lighthouse sits a villa which, despite looking like it might prefer the sun-kissed summers of the Mediterranean, offers visitors another seasonal greeting. Down the eastern slope from it, a frozen bay offers the chance for ice skating – don’t worry about the polar bears; they seem more curious than threatening!

For those who prefer a memory of summer, the beach to the north-east of the region remains sandy and free from snow. Gulls wheel, kites fly – but I think the wind keeping them aloft may well carry the same chill from the surrounding mountains as is felt by the rest of the land, so a beach walk may still require sweaters and coats!

The Mill, Pale Moonlight

Just over the dunes from the beach, the local pier is open for business, offering hot drinks to warm hands and insides, a selection of nibbles for the hungry, and places to sit down and watch the world go by. While overhead nearby, a hot air balloon offers a perch where watchers can observe the comings and goings below them.

The Mill has always been beautifully photogenic, and this winter makeover is no exception. With trams, zip lines and sleds to ride, places to sit and cuddle or contemplate, spots indoors and out, it offers something for everyone looking for a little wintertime wandering.

The Mill, Pale Moonlight

SLurl Details

• The Mill (Pale Moonlight, rated: Moderate)

> WeeVille, Oyster Bay – click any image for full size

A regular stopping off point for me as I make my way through Second Life is Sera Bellic’s Homestead region of Oyster Bay. Every few months Sera gives the region a make-over presenting something new for people to explore, and I’d been looking forward to making a return trip to see what was new since recently noting the region was closed to visitors –  a sure sign Sera was reinventing it.

Over the years, the region has seen a lot – scenes of destruction, tempest, beauty and mystery; there have been country houses and gardens; fun fairs and glimpses of the future; country walks – and even a look into both heaven and hell. I’ve covered much of the changing face of Oyster Bay in these pages, and was delighted to find that for its newest look, Sera has turned to the realms of whimsy and fantasy in order to present WeeVille to the world.

WeeVille, Oyster Bay

On arrival, visitors might initially be fooled into thinking this is an art environment: sitting alongside the landing point is one of Mistero Hifeng’s sculptures, Bella 16. However, beyond it, over flagstones and flower-strewn waters shaded pink under a timeless sky rich in the colours of spring, sits a great stone wall into which, beckoning silently, is set a pair of wooden gates.

Step through these gates, and your Adventure begins with a visit to a part of The Shire – or is it? Certainly, across a meadow of lush grass Hobbit holes can be seen, with little camp fires burning outside as if the occupants might be taking advantage of a springtime evening. But the folk standing before those little fires are smaller and stouter than Hobbits, and prefer to have boots on their feet, with some keeping the hair strictly to their faces in the form of thick beards and flowing moustaches. Dwarfins they may be, but they do appear to share in a love of fireworks.

WeeVille, Oyster Bay

Climb the wooden steps between the hillocks of the Hobbit … the Dwarfin … holes, and pass through a second gate, and you’ll enter a birch wood carpeted with tall poppies, through which a path of  stars leads. Beyond it is another realm  where flowerpot people play, giant budgies hop and rabbits offer an interesting line in word processing from a … mobile office…?

“Welcome to WeeVille,” Sera says of her design. “My first fantasy sim and hopefully not my last. I hope you enjoy visiting as much as I enjoyed creating it. Remain young at heart and have some fun!”

With a quaint little stilt town built over the water in one direction, a garden of unicorns and mer-horses in another and lots of little touches to be explored – be sure to open doors and look inside places – together with places to sit and watch and cuddle and take photos, WeeVille is certainly a place where the heart can feel young, and the young at heart can smile.

WeeVille, Oyster Bay

And, at a time when winter regions and snowy landscapes are starting to appear across the grid, WeeVille could be just the ticket for those who need to escape dark and cold nights and gain a little reminder than spring will soon be coming around once more.

SLurl Details

• WeeVille (Oyster Bay, rated: Moderate)