Category: Second Life

In  2017 I visited the Butterfly Conservatory, the work of Ry Heslop. I found it to be an engaging visit – one you can read about in Of lepidopterans, owls, bugs and honey in Second Life. I actually lost track of the conservatory a little while after that visit, so was pleased to learn via the Destination Guide that it has made a return to Second life and has a new home and it went on the list for places to (re)check out.

Once again occupying a sky garden, the conservatory shares the space with the Merge Club, also operated by Ry. A mover is in operation at the landing point, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself being shuffled away on teleporting – this is presumably to keep those arriving for events at the club from stacking up on one another’s heads.

A  crossway on the footpath points the way to the three primary locations on the platform: a dining area under a pergola, the club, and the Conservatory – the latter unmissable in its impressive new building.

Within the building is a lush semi-tropical environment, home to a wide variety of flora and  – more importantly in this context – butterflies. These can be found circling the plants, while nearby signs offer information on the species you are seeing.

Following my initial visit to the Conservatory, I noted that it might be easier for those who have a hard time reading in-world text if the signs also acted as note card givers. As a result of that comment, Ry contacted me to say that’s exactly what would be done in the next update to the gardens – and it is an approach that has been continued through to this iteration; so do be sure to touch them as you follow the paths around to learn more about the butterflies that are to be found here.

The indoor gardens are beautifully laid out, with split level path leading visitors around them, a café, sculptures, water features and more. In addition, a branch of the path directs visitors to a wing of the building containing the Birds of Paradise aviary – a part of the Conservatory that I think is new to it; at least, I don’t recall it from my 2017 visit.

Outside of the main building are two further areas to be explored, one providing information on a number of species of beetles and bugs, the other on bees, and their importance to the world as a whole. With the latter – and again tooting my horn a moment – Ry has also followed through on my 2017 suggestion and provided more information on exactly why bees are such a vital part of the ecosystem.

What I found particularly pleasing about my original visit to the Butterfly Conservatory was its simple elegance in being both an informative and charming visit one can appreciate for both its content and the thought and care that has been put into its design and layout. This remains very much the case with this iteration as well; so if you’ve not been to the Butterfly Conservatory before – make sure to add it to your list of places to visit and enjoy; you won’t be disappointed.

SLurl Details

• The Butterfly Conservatory (Exotic Isle, rated Moderate)

Back in April 2020, I wrote about Rydia Lacombe’s work in mapping all of Second Life’s railway networks (see: Mapping Second Life’s mainland railways). I ended the article by musing the idea of doing an occasional series about the Second Life Railroad (SLRR) network, even going so far at to contemplate a title for the series: From the Footplate. However, in June of 2020 the Lab launched a video series on the subject, prompting me to put the idea onto the back burner.

However, had I gone ahead with that series, I would have started with the Zany Zen Railway (ZZR), located in the heart of Jeogeot.

Created and operated by fellow “Brit” Zen Swords-Galway (ZenriaCo), it’s one of the most unique lines to be found in Second Life, being a) almost entirely scratch-built by Zen (with rolling stock scripting by Dizzi Sternberg, Janet Rossini and NightShade Fugu) and b) it is and narrow-gauge service, something of a rarity in SL. There’s also the fact it offers something of a celebration of UK in the most subtle of ways.

This last point can be seen on arrival at one of the two terminus points for the railway, Little Coverston, located in Gaori. Here, above a small Welsh coastal hamlet (complete with RNLI station) sits a stone built station, the entranceway to which is lined by posters advertising places to Ely, Whitby and the famous Rheilffordd Talyllyn – Talyllyn Railway, itself a narrow-gauge railway and Welsh tourist attraction that runs along the line that original carried slate from the quarries to the port of Tywyn. Incidentally, it was also the first narrow-gauge railway in the UK to be authorised by Act of Parliament for the transport of passengers.

It’s very much a passion project that grew into something I could never imagine. I’ve been lucky over the last few years to have some help with a few bits and bobs; the passenger carriage update last year couldn’t of been done with out a friend.

Zen discussing her Zany Zen Railway

Roughly three passenger trains an hour run along the ZZR, so if you arrive between services, you can take a wander along the street below and maybe pop into the Welsh Dragon to refresh yourself or, if it is open, the local corner shop to grab a sandwich or snack to enjoy on the train.

One of the reasons the service may appear slow is that – like many narrow gauge lines – the ZZR is predominantly a single track, one that is shared with goods trains. This means that passenger services often have to wait at the one double section of track to allow the freight service to pass. Not that this should be a problem; it simply gives passengers more time to appreciate their surroundings.

From Little Coverston the line runs east and then south, with a station at Seogyeo where that double section of line can be found, allowing trains to pass one another. The station is also home to the ZZR museum, offering a history of the line’s development that is very much worth hopping off the train to see – you can always catch the train once it has been down and back along the line to resume your journey. Also at Seogyeo is the chance to wander the streets of the local Welsh-themed village that is fully in keeping with the railway, and designed and built by RoaryCymru.

After Seogyeo, the line continues south, passing over an extensive viaduct and then through a cutting to arrive at Ahndang, a little country station typical of a bygone era here in the UK, before continuing on to Somdari – actually the point where the line originally started. The ZZR’s engine sheds are here, giving visitors the chance to see more of the engines – all of which are beautifully designed (and there may well be a couple in the sidings along the line).

Another of an aspects of the ZZR that make it so engaging is the level of scripted automation and detail: station signs neatly display arriving services, levers shift as points change, carriage doors opening as closing as the trains sit alongside platforms, and so on. The ride can admittedly be a little rickety – but anyone who has ridden a narrow gauge knows that can be the case – as can be the tightness of the curves.

Zany Zen’s isn’t the longest or the fastest railway, nor does it have the biggest trains;  but that’s precisely the point. ZZR isn’t supposed to be big and bold and charging along; rather, it is an accurate interpretation of an English narrow gauge line that has been re-purposed from its original use to provide an engaging excursion people can enjoy – and one  I recommend you try if you haven’t already.

SLurl Details

• Somdari Station and depot (rated Moderate)
• Little Coverston Station (Gaori, rated Moderate)