Category: Reviews

Blaylock Island – click any image for full size

Occupying a Homestead region, Blaylock Island – Where Peaceful Waters Flow is a stunning design by Jaccy (Jaccaranda Jael) with the support of Magenta Silverfall and Tira Langur (Tira Yalin), that has rightfully been getting a lot of attention from bloggers and photographers of late.

The region presents a wonderful feeling of being on a remote, rugged island where the weather is such that it has encouraged the growth of a local rain forest which does much to canopy the islands rocky splendour, whilst the coastline presents a veritable tropical paradise.

Blaylock Island

It is on the coast that a visit commences, the landing point being on a long tongue of land extending into the western sea, rocks and breakers to the north testifying to shallow waters there. further around this curve of sandy coast sits one of a three major dwellings on the region. These do not appear to be private residences, but given they appear to belong to Jaccy, Magenta and Tira, some circumspection when visiting might be in order if they are present during your explorations.

Blaylock Island

This is a place defined by the action of water. The central peak and high cliffs of the island feature great falls of water that tumble into bays and channels that cut through the landscape, forming deep ravines and sand banked waterways that twist their way to more open waters whilst also splitting the land somewhat. These waterways can be navigated using the little motorboat awaiting passengers close to the landing point, and which will periodically re-rez.

For the more adventurous, the island’s cloud-wreathed peak offers a series of wooden platforms linked by steps. These climb around the mountain to a final platform where a zip line can be taken back down to a raft anchored with one of the island’s bays, a short wade / swim from one of the beaches.

Blaylock Island

Amidst the verdant trees and undergrowth sheltering the waterways, visitors can find other points of interest – a houseboat moored among mangroves, tree houses sheltered from the waters falling from above by a great natural arch of rock, and a variety of wildlife from flamingos to seals.

Throughout it all are numerous places to sit an relax and appreciate the setting, as well as those options for exploration, all of which – together with the rich sound scape – add depth to Blaylock Island that encourages the visitor to tarry beyond a brief visit.

Blaylock Island

This is another very different and very engaging region design that offers numerous opportunities for exploration and photography. Beautifully present, it is easy to explore without significant impact on the viewer, and one will worth taking the time to visit and appreciate.

SLurl Details

• Where Peaceful Water Flow (Blaylock Island, rated: Moderate)

The Mill, Lemon Beach – click any image for full size

Lemon Beach has seen many designs from various region holders over the years, some of which have been documented in this blog (see here, and here, and here and here, for example). The region is currently under the care of Sylvana Dench, who follows the tradition in offering it for the enjoyment of visitors as The Mill.

This is a wonderfully provincial setting that has hints of France about it, although to me it could perhaps easily be anywhere along the coasts of Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark or Germany. Low-lying, the region, whilst a island, had an almost headland feel to it; a finger of land tickling the sea, a place where farmlands give way to sands and salt water.

The Mill, Lemon Beach

The landing point sit off to the north-east, close to the edge of the region. A sign bids a warm welcome, framed by a small lighthouse sitting just off the coast. A further welcome is offered by a little café sitting close by, sitting under a thatched roof – although as we walked by, I couldn’t help but wonder if the smell from the fishmonger across the narrow track of a road might not be a little off-putting to patrons should the breeze be in the wrong direction!

A small cottage sits alongside the fishmonger’s barn, perhaps his home, while a larger house sits on a bend in the road, while the titular mill rises from a small rise in the land just behind the café and its little farm shop. Taken together, and with both sheep grazing on the coastal grass not too far away and the large meadow behind the house where horses frolic, this little grouping of mill, café and house all have the feel of being perhaps owned by the one family.

The Mill, Lemon Beach

They, and the fishmonger’s house and barn, are not the only buildings here, however. Scattered across the landscape is a walled farmhouse, an old Tuscan-style villa converted to a place of business and another little cottage daintily fronted by walled flowerbeds, all awaiting discovery.

They are all easily reached by following the track that leads southwards away from the landing point. Meanwhile, and further westward, sit a couple of properties that might be holiday homes for those fortunate enough to be able to have a getaway sitting on the coast. One of these sits just off-shore to the south-west, and given it is within its own parcel, it might be intended for private ownership in the future – although at the time of our visit it was open to the public.

The Mill, Lemon Beach

The second house sits above the western beach and is clearly set for private occupancy, as demonstrated by the ban lines that become visible should you stray too close. However, it shares a stretch of beach with plenty of room for wandering or sitting, and which also features a bar and what might be a cosy surfer’s shack. Surf boards (traditional and wind) sit on the shore, but aren’t open for public use.

With it sheep and cows grazing peacefully, horses enjoying the freedom of their meadow and with a delightful sound scape, The Mill offers an inviting visit with enough to see and appreciate without it feeling overcrowded or putting undue load on the viewer. Yes, there are a few details that could be tidied a little, notably some of the floating bric-a-brac around the antiques store (or perhaps that’s the influence of the slightly creepy doll sitting on one of the benches outside! 🙂 ), but these are small enough so as not to unduly spoil things.

The Mill, Lemon Beach

And while the surf boards might not be available for use by visitors, this is an excellent place to for horse riding, if you have a wearable Animesh horse; while those who might be disappointed he surf boards can’t be used might want to keep an eye out for the little boat with an outboard motor, as it can be used for pootling around the coast; just keep an eye out for the odd Orca and bather!

Our thanks to Shawn Shakespeare for the LM!

SLurl Details

• The Mill (Lemon Beach, rated: Moderate)

Atonement – click any image for full size

Update, August 20th: Atonement has closed and the region cleared. SLurls in this article have therefore been removed.

Occupying the full private island aptly named Canyon Creek, and making use of the additional full region land capacity bonus, Atonement is a relatively new – and utterly stunning – rental / public region.

We were pointed towards it by a number of friends, including MorganaCarter, Miro Collas and Shawn Shakespeare – and our thanks to everyone who did so.

Atonement

Designed by Aiden Caudron and Zomborg Vollmar, the region comes with an intriguing description:

An overgrown forest sim that has been abandoned overtime leaving homes buried between thick brush and twisted vines. You can find residential properties scattered around the sim with enhanced privacy provided by mother nature. Hidden caves leading to special destinations within the sim. Blogger friendly.

Atonement

This is a region that is perhaps best not described as experienced. Represented a mountainous region, far off in the wilds, it’s easy to imagine coming across Atonement in the Rockies of North America, and its elevated setting is given an added sense of depth through the careful positioning of region landscaping and sim surround, such that from most viewing angles within the region, the two appear to blend seamlessly together in to whole as the mountains rise beyond the tree line.

Falling from east to west in a series of tiers, a single narrow gorge, feed by tumbling falls and fast-flowing waters, the region is as the description states: richly forested and with a feeling of abandonment. The road winding through it is unpaved, footpaths are bare rock, the grass tall and wild where trees aren’t casting their shadows. Throughout all this are houses and buildings that have all seen better days, the bridges offering links between roads and paths looking as though they could perhaps benefit from a little TLC.

Atonement

Many of the houses are available for rent – so exploring with care is advised to avoid accidental trespass should any be occupied at the time of a visit. Elsewhere – such as the local pub – which most certainly has seen better days – there are twists of whimsy and humour that when discovered, are an unexpected delight.

Perfectly photogenic, the region’s mystique is given further depth by the question of why it should be here. Why locate a small town so deep in the rocky wilds? Perhaps the answer lies within the network of tunnels and caverns awaiting discovery  – be sure to accept your torch at the landing point. While appearing entirely natural, there is a hint that perhaps they might have once been worked, perhaps for mining gold or silver or something else equally enticing to the hands and pockets of humans.

Atonement

Although to be found throughout the region are places t be enjoyed when visiting, such as the rusting metal carcass of an old observatory far up at what is effectively the region’s peak: a table of rock that the old conservatory shares with a radio mast. Within the old frame can be found a cosy setting that is both at odd with, yet complimentary to, the overgrown interior of the old building. Elsewhere, those who explore far enough might find a games room / clubhouse, and there’s also the aforementioned pub.

Beautifully conceived and executed, Atonement can be a little taxing on systems if you’re running with a lot of the viewer’s bells and whistles active. however, it more than counters for this with its detail, unique approach and highly photogenic nature.

Atonement