The Eden Project, St Austell, Cornwall

 

 

The Eden Project is a unique experience of the relationship we have with the world's eco-system of plants. Set in the abandoned remains of one of St Austells Clay Quarries, it includes the world's largest geodesic domes which contain two distinct environments; a jungle environment in the Humid Tropical Biome and a Warm Temperate Biome featuring Mediterranean, South African and Californian landscaping with its relevant plant species.

Although I don't usually have photos of people in my articles, I'm including this one of my sister and brother-in-law as they came over from Australia in 2003 for a holiday, and this was a visit to the Eden Project together, which we thoroughly enjoyed. I don't usually do tourist places either, but I think this one is definitely worth including and, as they have since sadly passed away, it's also a fitting memorial for them. :)

 

Extensive grounds surrounding the biomes include landscaped terraces and gardens. This is such a truly remarkable place and at the time we went there were these wonderful Tibetan style flags. 

Looking at more recent photos online there are still flags with different designs - I think - but I can't find any close-up photos to check. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm the only one who likes the flags! ;)

There are also a lot more areas added to the grounds since. Even though it was much less extensive 21 years ago we still didn't manage to get around all the garden terraces as there was so much to see. Our first walk around was in the Humid Tropical Biome. 

This hottest dome is very hot indeed. There are taps at frequent intervals to replenish the water lost through perspiring - which can be quite extensive - and there is an emergency hut for those who are overcome by the heat and taken ill. My other sister and her partner visited another time and he had to use the hut because of breathing problems due to the heat. If anyone plans to visit it's best to read all the literature first to see what you'll need to take with you, etc.

Huge Papyrus plants can be seen in the photo above. Usually to be seen gracefully edging the River Nile in Egypt, they look fantastic against the patterns of the geodome in the background.

 

An example of Indigenous artwork from Australia, below.

And the various usages of bamboo cane.

There was quite a steep path up through the dome, which also zapped the energy, but the view was incredible.

 

Then into the Warm Temperate Biome, which wasn't so overpowering, although still fairly hot.

Pigs and offspring made from driftwood rooting around a garden. Below is another garden setting either from the California or Mediterranean area.

Wonderfully quirky figures representing Greek Mythology. 

The landscaping was full of Mediterranean plants, including olive trees and lavender.

Outside was a much cooler antidote to the biomes, even though it was a warm summer's day. We sat awhile with a cooling drink before setting out on a walk through the grounds. The Bee, below.

 

Hop bines can be seen below. An essential ingredient of beer. Mmm...beer!;)

 

And a fabulously mysterious sillouette further up the hillside.

For more information about the Eden Project there's a really good article on Wikipedia that covers all aspects of construction, contents, renewable energy and sustainable technology, new additions as well as future projects. Very well worth a read. Link here. :)

And finally the last photo I took was of this living sculpture covered in moss and grass titled 'Eve' against a background of crops in field portions.

I expect anyone who's visited in recent years can see quite a difference to how it was when we went and I'd be very interested to read any comments. :)

I wrote recently that there were many more articles to come but, having checked it out, I actually only have a handful of the former website ones to rewrite. These are the hard ones though, so I'm dragging my feet a bit. There are only a few new ones to do too, which means the end is in sight, but I should be able to pad them out with more of the other topics, such as Useful Books, etc. 

On a happier note, I've changed a few things health management wise and am actually beginning to feel a lot better...more energy, motivation, and even walking a bit better too. It's a start anyway and maybe I can visit some more places again. We can but hope, lol.

Cheers 'til next time. :)

Pump Farm, Whitford, Devon

 

Pump Farm comprises a farmhouse called Pump House - which is a Grade II Listed Devon Longhouse - along with various farm buildings, and has belonged to the same family for 400 years.  

I didn't realise that the farm belonged to Pump House on my first visit in September 2007. I was walking along the road when I glimpsed a tractor through the chink of another building. I took a photo and decided to investigate further.

Thinking this was a derelict site I took more photos from the road further on until bumping into the owner and after a chat he very kindly invited me to take more photos around the farm itself. He also told me that the farm is usually available to let by other farmers, although at that time it had been left empty for a while.

I love the rusty corrugated iron barn with the walkway, looking all bright in the Autumn sunshine. A wooden barn seen below.

 

I don't have any information about the barns as such. It looks like this one was for livestock, such as cattle. It was a great place for taking photos, especially the shadows from the slats in the front wall. I wish I'd have taken more of those!

 

I took another photo of the corrugated barns with the walkway as I could see the left barn better from here.

On the opposite side to the wooden barn is another corrugated iron and stone rubble building...

...where I took a photo through the space between the wonky doors.

A further visit gave me the opportunity to look at some of the parts that I'd previously missed. It was the same time I took photos of the nearby WW2 pillboxes, just after the floods in Feb 2010, and the weather was quite different, making everything look darker.

I don't have a decent photo of Pump House itself as the one I took came out very dark because of the weather, the deep brown thatching and wisteria branches all across the front. It's also difficult to get the whole of the front in one photo, due to its length and position on the crossroad corner...even with a wide angle lens and standing in the middle of the road. However, the corner can be seen above where it adjoins the next building.

Built circa 16th century this farm building is also a Grade II Listed Building along with Pump House. The pump, dated 1834, was originally used to supply the village water and still remains on the front wall. As well as being the family dwelling, Pump House is also run as a Bed & Breakfast during the summer holiday season.

A stone rubble wall with corrugated iron roof, there is also weatherboarding on the end gable to the listed farm building. There may have been a winch at one time for the boarded up window space to move fodder or grains to and from the top floor. There is also an entrance for carts the other side.

More buildings after that can be seen below... 

...which happens to be this side of the corrugated iron buildings with walkway inbetween. I took another two photos of the other side, below.

Followed by two more photos of the small corrugated and stone building with the wonky doors.

And there we go! Another of the ones I wanted to revisit and take more photos of. I really enjoyed working with what I have though, and hopefully will be able to travel again at some time. Meanwhile, there are still plenty of articles to write. The one I had planned to finish is another rural one but as I tend to mix things up for interest I might choose something else. At this point I don't know, lol.

Cheers. :)