What to do in the Pouring Rain!
The morning dawned with pouring rain and dark gray skies. I was debating just having a day at the B&B to rest and relax rather than attempting to visit St. Ives in the rain, but then, one of the couples staying there invited me to join them for the day at The Eden Project. It was so nice not to have to drive (and to have a chance to ask all those questions about driving in the UK that had accumulated!). The Eden Project is built on the site of a defunct clay mine. In the past 10 - 15 years or so, they've transformed it into a unique setting with a focus on educating people about ecological sustainability and preserving the environment. There are two enormous BioSphere units on the property, one with a RainForest environment and the other with a Mediterranean environment. In addition, there are learning centers, many gardens, a stage, many sculptures and restaurants.
Near the entrance was this exquisite horse made of driftwood ~ it was just elegantly done! I'm all bundled up in sweaters and jackets here as it was quite chilly ~ until we entered the Rainforest BioSphere!
The biospheres were enormous! Big enough for a large waterfall, tumbling creeks and ponds as well as numerous areas in which to exhibit different habitats from all over the world.
We had a lovely lunch at one of the restaurants in the Biosphere area. It was quite a production! Fun to watch them making the dishes from the walkway overhead!
Some of the tropical flowers were so bright and unusual!
The mediterranean ones were nearly all familiar, but no less beautiful!
I hadn't seen this variety of sage before ~ it was really lovely and something I'll search for to put in my own garden someday!
The rain let up for a bit in the afternoon, so we wandered the gardens for a while. Loved the roses on the arbors in the outdoor gardens!
At the end of the day, we had dinner at The Golden Guinea Restaurant in Looe.
It still has some of the old Bullion Glass in the window panes. What amazed me most was learning that the building dated back to 1632!
There was a fun sign on the wall about how The Golden Guinea got it's name!
But the most enjoyable part of the day was making delightful new friends! Alan and Jenny were terrific and so kind to take a lone American traveller under their wings for the day!
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Xxoo Susan