A former china clay pit than had been in operation since the early 1800's by 1995 it was nearing the end of its working life. Tim Smit, he who restored the Lost Gardens of Heligan had a vision to create this amazing place. It happened.
A cold crisp January day and a visit to the Eden project in Cornwall. "You better enjoy it" said my friends "the tickets cost £42 each".
The Domes, biospheres which we shall eventually visit
Firstly we had a look inside the educational "core" building, which at the moment was celebrating bacteria.
A tribute to Cyanobacteria, a "good bacteria"
I love bacteria they sustain life, homo sapiens believes themselves to be the supreme beings. These little guys have been here longer than us, can survive without us. We cannot survive without them.
I never use soap to wash my hands and never ever consider using anti-bac gel. Why would I want to destroy or damage my bodies defence mechanism?
Do not get me started on "the germ theory"!
In the depths of winter the outdoor botanical gardens were bereft of colour, but the Cardoon, or artichoke thistle even in death looked fantastic a strong architectural plant if ever there was
Foraging for food, the gorgeous Robin red breast, usually so timid, voted Britains favourite bird in 2006 and again in 2015, so much myth and legend surround this beauty.
The robin is known as, 'brou-rhuddyn' in Welsh, I shall translate, 'scorched breast' the legend being the robin scorched its breast in the fires of hell delivering water for the souls of the dead to drink.
Under the Dome
Not the superb read-worthy(one of his best) novel by Stephen King, but a wander through the Biospheres
The Mediterranean Biome
The Biome covers 1.6 acres and is 115 ft high, 213 ft wide, and 443 ft in length. It houses warm temperate and arid plants, with an all year round temperature between 48-77°F, perfect when it is nearly freezing outdoors.
The hexagonal shape of the biome’s cells were designed to capture maximum strength using minimum materials.
Each cell is made of three layers of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE)which apparently is similar to clingfilm, it is lighter than glass but strong enough to support the weight of a car.
If and when the panels need cleaning then this is undertaken by abseilers who scale the structure.
It is completely self-supporting, with no internal supports. The panels vary in size up to 29.5 ft in width, the largest at the top of the structure.
Druid legend says that the song of the blackbird will put those that hear it into a sleep, a trance which allows him or her to travel to the otherworld. Blackbirds were also associated with the Welsh goddess Rhiannon, she ruled over dreams and the night.
The biosphere had strategically placed LED's amongst the plants causing unnatural colours and effects
The sculptures by an artist called Tim Shaw depict Dionysus, a Greek god (He was later known as Bacchus by the Romans) of wine, vegetation, pleasure, festivity, madness and wild frenzy.
Now that is the sort of guy I could hang out with and we could become BFF
During the orgiastic rites of Dionysus his female devotees, the Maenads, would dance and writhe through the vines beating drums and sounding trumpets.
Yup deffo BFF material.
The two biosphere complexes are separated by a link, where for above average prices and below average portions you can stuff yourself silly with mass produced food. No ta, a bag of fish and chips from a chippy is preferable.
The Rainforest biosphere
The Rainforest Biome, covers 3.9 acres is 180 ft high, 328 ft wide, and 656 ft long.
Tubular steel nuts and bolts and sheets of plastic, with a temperature of 64–95°F the blurb recommended wearing clothing suitable for hot weather, but I thought I would look rather foolish strutting around in speedos and flip flops, so I declined that advice. Dionysus I have failed you.
With over 1,000 varieties of plants and trees native to the tropical islands of the Caribbean, countries of SE Asia, West Africa and South America. The biosphere is the largest indoor rainforest in the world.
Above the canopy is "The lookout", suspended from the frame by steel wire rope it is some 100ft off the ground
It aways when you walk on it, open mesh treads, certainly not for any one with jelly legs.
But for those with a sterner disposition there are some great views as you are now above the rain forest canopy
We shall return when the moon rises and darkness abounds, when the wolves hunt and the witches brew their potions. Or maybe when I have had a pot od tea in the overpriced cafe.
Thanks for visiting my page, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. this is Stephen aka, @grindle, happily retired, travelling the world snapping away. My weapon of choice is currently a Nikon Z6(2). Unless stated all images are shot by me (©@grindle) all text is mine, based on various info sources. NOT AI generated. If you like my blog, it would be very much appreciated if you upvote and follow me. Also please feel free to drop a comment.
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