Category: Reviews

In March 2020 I first visited a Full private region called Silent Melody held by Celtic McDaniels (Celtic3147), and found it to be an engaging visit and enjoyed my time exploring (see: Attuned to a Silent Melody in Second Life). I’m not sure if, during the intervening period, the region went away and has now returned, or whether it simply relocated; however, an entry in the Destination Guide I came across drew my attention to the fact that the setting is now re-opening, and so I hopped across to have a look to see what may have changed.

The answer proved to be rather a lot – hardly surprising, even the passage of time since my last visit, even without any absence or relocation! For this iteration the region design is by Semina (Semiiina), rather than Celtic, as was the case with my original visit. However, whilst a completely new design, this iteration of silent Melody shares much of the spirit of the iteration I visited back in 2020.

In the heart of the whispering ocean lies Silent Melody. A picturesque island where each corner reveals a hidden nook, a tranquil spot to sit and savour the peace to silent melodies, as the world outside fades into a distant murmur.

– Silent Melody About Land

By the above statement, I mean that this iteration brings with it a rich mix of rugged landscape, a small built-up centre, and plenty of walks and opportunities to explore, spend time and take photographs. However, it very much has an identity all its own.

The Landing Point sits towards the north-east of the setting, and at the time of my visit this confirmed that the setting would be formally opening on September 29th, 2024, with music by Semina and Sky Galaxy, starting at 11:00 SLT. It also offers information on the photo contest with a prize of L$4,000 for the winner.

Directly behind the Landing Point, steps rise up to the impressive bulk of a French-style mansion sitting behind an autumnal courtyard with hints of the Halloween season in the form of pumpkins encircling the fountain. This structure is actually the home of a large café, the wings of the building providing comfortable lounge spaces enclosed within massive framed windows overlooking the grounds – including the meadow behind, the home of roaming horses.

This meadow overlooks a stretch of beach to the south-east and an inland body of water to the south. Fed by waters tumbling from the highlands to and along the southern edge of the region, these waters also mark the end, rather than the head, of a stream as it flows inland from the west side of the region, where it faces one of the setting’s two smaller islands.

This island is home to the ruins of an ancient chapel, the flock of which is now sheep in the literal sense, and which is connected to the mainland be a short rocky causeway reaching out to it from a grove of trees surrounding a little open-air seating area. Stone steps climb away from the little camp site on its far side, relative to the island, climbing up to a little town square which – for me at least – harkened back to the little town square present in the version of the setting I visited back in 2020, thus presenting that little touch of continuity between the two.

Overlooking moorings and waterside decks to the north, this little square and its building in turn connects by way of grassy paths to both the courtyard of the café and to the Landing Point whilst also providing access to the region’s rocky northern coastal are. Watched over by the tall figure of a lighthouse , the northern coast is dominated by a broad deck which appears to offer an outdoor events area. With steps climbing back up to the Landing Point, and with a rocky shoulder separating intervening, this section of coast swings around to the east where a large rotunda of a glass house looks out to sea, providing another retreat people might take to and sit – just be careful about getting wet feet inside!

The second island sits to the south-west of the rest of the region, and is entirely separated from the rest of the setting by water. Given this and the fact that it is located within its own parcel, and it sits behind a gated wall, I assumed the house occupying it is potentially a private residence and so did not venture across the water so as not to invade privacy / trespass.

As might be gathered from the above, there is a lot to take in with this iteration of Silent Melody – and I’ve not covered everything awaiting discovery (such as the cavern with its pools and view out over the open sea, but I’ll let you find that 🙂 ). There is also considerable attention to detail throughout the setting, so careful exploration is recommended. There are numerous places to sit throughout, and the local wildlife is all friendly, while the little hints of Halloween add a nice touch even as the shared environment in the region gives it a nicely autumnal feel (and the setting works will with multiple other EEP settings).

With paths and trails winding through it to link the various locations, all of which flow together naturally, from beaches to woods to buildings and from lowland to uplands, Silent Melody is rounded-out by a gentle soundscape and has the sense of being a lot larger than the single region upon which it stands. As noted, those who wish can participate in the local photo competition (maximum of two entries each) opening on September 29th and running through until late October, and the official opening party for the setting commences at 11:00 SLT on Sunday, September 29th. So – enjoy!

SLurl Details

• Silent Melody (Silent Melody 2, rated Moderate)

Update, April 2025: Chef de Champs has closed. SLurls have therefore been removed from this article.

Flicking through my notes in the week, I came across La Clef des Champs, by Rose Siabonne, a place I’ve visited a number of times, and which I’d actually convinced myself it was somewhere I’d revisited fairly recently. I was therefore utterly surprised when my notes revealed that “fairly recently” actually meant “nigh on five years ago”!

How time flies when it comes to Second Life 🙂 . Ergo, I suggested to W that we bounce our way over and have a look to see what might have changed. So off we went.

I first visited the setting back in May 2018, when it occupied a Homestead region. However, within a month of that post the setting had relocated to a quarter parcel on a Full private region, prompting me to drop in once again. By December 2019, and after a short absence whilst Rose focused on a homestead design she called Hors du Temps (May 2019), La Clef des champs returned later that year, this time covering an entire Full region and prompting my further visit.

Now simply called Clef des Champs, the setting remains on a Full private region, with the majority of the landscaping within this iteration by BeautifulDisaster Requiem, although touches by Rose ensure all the spirit and feel of the past iterations of the setting are very much still in evidence. However, one change from my previous visit is that the setting now appears to include a number of residential rentals; these appear to be confined primarily to the east and southern sides of the region, and so don’t interfere with public explorations, whilst as long as people keep their eyes open, the risk of invading privacy is equally remote.

The landing point now sits in the south-west corner of the region, on the edge of a little hamlet which is very mindful of parts of France (and includes a boules court!). Primarily designed by Rose, this offers a little café in which to pass the time, and one or two little touches those familiar with earlier iterations of Clef des Champs might recognise (and which help with a sense of continuity between iterations).

From here, a walk northwards winds its way over grasslands and (via boardwalks) across the local wetlands before turning eastwards. These wetlands are fed by falls dropping from the region’s central highlands and offer a home to local waterfowl whilst a houseboat permanently moored close the the foot of the falls (“permanently”, given the boardwalks now appear to block its exit to open water) and several places to sit located around the edge of the waters all provide excellent vantage points from which to observe the waterfowl  – or simply has a cuddle.

Having passed the wetland, the eastward path skirts the feet of the central rocky plateau, passing over a little stream to carry on around the landscape, presenting paths over to the rental properties to the south and east in the process. Screened by trees and shrubs from the rest of the setting, the latter are easily avoided by keeping to the flower-covered banks of the larger stream reaching outwards from the plateau’s falls.

A fallen tree trunk here provides a convenient bridge to cross the waters of the steam and reach the steps and trail leading up into the rugged hill. At the top. multiple places to pass the time might be found – including within the hilltop folly –  and a rope bridge might lead you to a hot tub sitting on the south cliffs as they form a curtain between the inner lands of the region and the public beach.

When circumnavigating the main upland plateau, do keep your eyes peeled for the romantic cavern hidden within the rocks at its base. Do also keep an eye out for the teleport pads dotted around (not that they are hard to miss!). As well as offering shortcuts to areas on the ground level of the region, they also provide access to the Autumn and Winter sky platforms, each of which offers its own little retreat.

Between the plateau and the screen of rocky cliffs to the south, the landscape is cut through by the meandering, if fast-flowing, stream as it makes its way back towards the west to eventually exit into the waters beside the little hamlet. As it does so, it passes through a verdant land of tall trees, flowers, grasses and woodland where trails equally meander, and at least one camp site awaits discovery.

Throughout all of this, the landscaping is highly amenable to photography and lends itself nicely to a range of EEP settings – I’ve used my own for the pictures here – and the soundscape adds depth to the setting. There are also multiple places to sit and pass the time; some of which are mentioned above, but more of which await discovery.

There was some redecorating (seasonal changes) going on during the second half of my re-visit, so its is possible some details may change between this article going out and you reading it – but if so – then that’s another reason for visiting, no? 🙂 .