The Eden Project
Wednesday was earmarked for a trip to the Eden Project - amazing to see the changes since last here. I believe there were just the two main Biomes.
People were pouring in when we arrived on a beautiful sunny day. We wandered around many of the educational areas which kept Izobelle (and the rest of us) thoroughly amused. It really is well laid out and caters for all ages with its displays. Took a few images of the area to try and convey the size of the place.
History:
The clay pit in which the project is sited was in use for over 160 years. In 1981, the pit was used by the BBC as the planet surface of Magrathea in the 1981 TV series of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. By the mid-1990s the pit was all but exhausted.
The initial idea for the project dates back to 1996, with construction beginning in 1998. The work was hampered by torrential rain in the first few months of the project, and parts of the pit flooded as it sits 15 m (49 ft) below the water table.
The first part of the Eden Project, the visitor centre, opened to the public in May 2000. The first plants began arriving in September of that year, and the full site opened on 17 March 2001.
As you can see there are more than 2 Biome now!
Air - a part of the Invisible Worlds Exhibition
In the ceiling of one of the exhibits - not sure which one!
Air - birds flying
Part of the Invisible Worlds Exhibition - Infinity Blue
"Our huge ceramic ‘breathing’ sculpture pays homage to one of the world’s smallest but most important organisms: the cyanobacteria. Artist duo Studio Swine wanted to build a monument to these vital but invisible unsung heroes, in the same way as notable people are commemorated with statues.
Three billion years ago the cyanobacteria started to produce oxygen – which changed the face of the Earth forever. Today they, and their distant descendants found in plants and phytoplankton, provide the oxygen in every breath we take. Without them we would not be here.
At over eight metres tall, Infinity Blue is one of the world’s largest ceramic sculptures. Come and see if you can catch one of its vapour rings!"
At least I captured an image of one!
The Humid Tropics Biome at Eden is the largest conservatory in the world and allows the tropical rainforest trees it contains to reach their full potential. It has been described by the team at Eden as 'a steamy supermarket'.
It contains carefully selected tropical plants from botanical gardens and nurseries all over the world. The air is kept between 18C and 35C. This provides a range of environments that suit the tropical plants. The automatic misters and stunning waterfall keep the air moist.
It contains the crops and lush rainforest sights of the tropical world, from the Oceanic Island to Malaysia. The biome offers a taste of life of a place far away.
Had a coffee and the visited the Tropical Biosphere - right to the very hot tropical top! Saw many strange but interesting plants and crossed the wobbly bridge, much to Izobells delight.
An huge array of plant life and flowers. A walk of the swing bridge and a view of the waterfall. Izobelle loved it, but like the rest of us, was glad to descend to cooler levels at the end.
We spent time watching the waterfall in the tropical Biome. This waterfall cuts a path down from the very top of the rainforest Biome. The waterfall is fed by rain water that falls on the Biomes. And so to lunch. We had a very Mediterranean Platter and thoroughly enjoyed it.
.... as did the little fellow clearing up the scraps on the next table.
Another rather large bird passes by while we were eating.
Another wander around part of the outside while the family took to the Ice Rink.
The large Bee ...
.... and a giant man pulling a rope - statues in the gardens.
The dome housing the stage where music acts and others can perform.
Story time - told in the peaceful surroundings of the Citrus Grove inside the Mediterranean Biome. What a great idea
One has to finish off the day with a facepaint! I was excused thankfully.
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