October Break Special Blog - Eden Project
| Published: 20th November 2007 17:36 |
With summers weather being what can only be described as pretty disappointing, damp and downright depressing it got close to October half term and we thought we needed a break!
As we had enjoyed our summer break in Devon so much and, bearing in mind we still have to watch that Carbon Footprint, we decided on a return visit to Woolacombe - to try and do the things we just didn't get chance to do when last there.
One of these was a visit to the "Eden Project".
We have seen the pictures on the TV, in the papers and on the internet and it was one of those places you just have to visit at some time in your life if travelling to the South West.
Although we were in North Devon - Eden is still some way to go!
With a little focus and my Carbon Friendly hat on, and also armed with my Train Family Discount Ticket I had planned driving into Barnstable and getting the train down to St Austell but as all good intentions that idea fell away as the Station was closed as maintenance work was taking place.
So, up early'ish on a sunny Tuesday morning, route map in hand and off we went.
I decided to take a relatively "scenic" route via Bideford and Launceston, but again road closures and detours prevailed...
Why anything is never easy for us I'll never know!
As we travelled down listening to the local radio stations there was some quite pertinent news on the area and indeed Eden.
Plymouth making the news on being one on the greenest cities in the UK, and Eden being on the shortlist to receive a 50 million pound lottery grant.
Two hours later, we eventually arrived and were happy to still have the sunshine with us for once. Eden is signposted well and when you arrive parking was easy and well organised, with a free shuttle bus to take you down to the main area.
On arriving at the entrance, itself an impressive building of wood and steel - This can be sometimes be busy early on and, although very well staffed, would suggest pre-booking on their website to circumnavigate any delays.
We stopped at the information desk... just for a quick chat about Eden and to get an idea of where best to visit first, where to eat, etc. It's all in the guide / visitor handout book but asking cost nothing and you generally get an honest overview and feedback on the things to see and do. The person we spoke to was very warm, welcoming and had a good sense of humour.
Once you get through the arrivals area you exit into the Project, the view is breathtaking, the scale, the landscape and the architecture of the Domes.
Photo call for Carol and the boys - but always difficult to capture that wow factor on a picture.
We made our way down into the old quarry passing sculptures and gardens laiden with vegetables, fruits and late autumn flowers, and were drawn to these fantastic looking Bio-Domes - known as Biomes!
These are interconnected by another large building that hosted the food court a fleeting glimpse at first as we entered the the Humid Tropics Biome.
This has been created and is in the World's largest conservatory (240m long, 55m high and 110m wide). The Biome houses over 2000 species of carefully selected tropical plants... as you walk in ... the heat and humidity just hits you... coats off time!
Almost impossible to take any snaps as the lens just keep steaming up, also a problem if you are wearing glasses!
You travel from country to country and are in awe of some of the plants and trees that nature has created... Truly a spectacle!
Everything is done so well as regards providing information, not just signs but also some interactive facilities to educate us on not just the trees and plants but also on the way of life of the surrounding people and the usages - which the boys and ourselves found very educational and thought provoking.
Rather than go straight to Warm Temperate Biome, we had an appointment with a bit of fun! As Eden had an Ice Skating rink in place... I think perhaps I have ice skated once - Carol and the boys never! This was great fun though, Carol and Alex having the agility of the new born Bambi! Gripping the side with that look of nervousness! And Jacob! Surprising us all by just getting on the ice and going!! (Must have that skill from his Dad methinks!)
This can be a very tiring experience for the new beginner it seems!
Once over, Dinner called! Back to the Biome food court, we plumed for Italian! The boys always enjoy pizza and I and Carol are partial to the pasta.
The food was all good, hot, and all prepared fresh on-site using locally sourced ingredients and not too expensive. Then Ice Cream for afters ... mmm, mmmmm!
After the Italian it was off to the Med... well actually the Warm Temperate Biome, which housed again a fantastic selection of nature's wonders from the world's hot, drier climates!
Again, you walk through this stopping to read about the plants etc, in fact we found one circuit was never enough and returned later to both domes for another lap! Something I would recommend to all, as you just are so amazed the 1st time around!
Time was spent around the vast gardens on show via a few more modern sculptures...
as we made our way to "The Core! Another fantastic building.
"The Core is built to entice the scientist, the artist, the child and the individual in each of us, and to make education a matter of intrigue instead of the chore so many of us see it as". The children enjoyed this, interactive sculptures, educational themes that make us question how we live and even the sustainability.
Also the next stage is outlined "The Edge" an underground based project hoped to be funded by the Lottery Grant earlier mentioned.
The core is also home of the "The Seed" a massive granite egg shaped sculpture set is its own gallery where you can walk around, touch and even view from above.
And a nice touch to get back up the hill to the exit and the Bus Shuttle was to take the "Land Train" - a bio-fuel powered tractor unit!
A day thoroughly enjoyed by all and I'm sure we will return again to witness further development and to catch some of the things that we missed on this our very first visit to Eden.
As at present, if you do go again and purchase online, donate your tax to Gift Aid.
You get to go as many times as you like over the next 12 months!!
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