As far away from the closeness of the animal kingdom as could be, our voyagers have landed amid the event which wiped out the dinosaurs and reshaped the world forever. This is the Ice Age!
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| Overview of Stop #3: The Ice Age |
Just as the early universe was less barren than history portrays, the Ice Age was a period in which progress was actually made. Much of the wild animals which were flourishing at our last stop may have suffered in the freezing temperatures, but humans have shown their ingenuity to adapt to the changing environment and make the most of the huge volumes of snow.
This is no better demonstrated than at the lake which we saw at our previous stop, except now it is rock solid.
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| Frozen lake |
It could be viewed as a dangerous area which is not suitable for any activities, let alone fun. And yet there are numerous Ice Skating Girls sliding around the frozen surface of the lake, all circling the Snowy Fountain which stands proudly in the centre. And this is the Ice Age so the ice is definitely thick enough to cope with the blades of so many of skates!
In fact, the greatest risk for those skaters is bumping into the Lake Dog. I mentioned at our last stop that the pooch appeared to have been abandoned lakeside, and it appears that he clambered aboard the Time Machine when no-one was looking! Having joined the crew for the journey the Lake Dog has returned to familiar surroundings and is clutching a fish gathered from a hole in the ice.
There are other dogs to be spotted at this location too, with the Dogsled Team in their element.
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| Dogsled Team and Igloo area |
A dogsled is the best way to get around in this difficult climate, as the guy in the Snow Suit is finding out. From a balaclava protecting his face to a thick red snowsuit, he's got all the right gear to stay warm, but the cold is merciless and he is struggling with the falling temperatures.
In contrast the polar bears inhabiting the Igloo are thriving in the tough conditions - there's even some tickling going on! The scarves being worn by two of the bears are purely a fashion statement, and indicate that they are very comfortable with the unforgiving weather. The igloo itself is an impressive structure, especially considering that the polar bears built it with their own fair paws.
But the igloo is not the only notable erection in this scene, and it is the other which the Chemist and Cat are most interested in.
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| Snowy building |
In the north there is a party breaking out, with lots of luminaries congregated on the roof of a snowy building. There's a Frosty Feast to gorge upon, all prepared by the Snowman Chef. And as if that's not enough there's also a Winter Spread in the corner which the Parisian Waitress is overseeing. There's no shortage of choice at this shindig!
And if you're after a warm treat but would rather not be exposed to the elements on the roof, you can bring your hot chocolate and biscuits down to the patio where the Winter Couples are already gathered. I can't promise that it's much warmer down here, but at least the French Lantern lamp posts and fairy lights on the White Christmas Trees will ensure it stays light when it gets dark.
Having mingled with the guests at the rooftop party, the Chemist has returned to the familiarity of the Time Machine with a new recipe.
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| Time Machine including addition of Minestrone Soup |
The Chemist was desperate for something to restore some body heat, and a large bowl of Minestrone Soup will undoubtedly do that. It joins the Biscuits and Gravy, Rocket Fuel Punch and Dinosaur Nuggets on the counters, and leaves the crew with six more counters to occupy.
So there's still much travelling to be done, and I suspect the Cat will be demanding that the next destination is somewhere hot...
The great thing about covering the Ice Age is that it features a lot of décor which wouldn't really apply to any other scenario. So doing something snowy was always appealing as it would be distinctive. And yet when I investigated my existing range of stuff that's winter themed, I was disappointed to find that I probably didn't have enough content to really fill my restaurant.
The Chemist, the Cat and the Time Machine
However over time new concepts developed and I ended up with the snowy building and accompanying patio, which together take up such a large expanse. The success of the bridge I constructed for Valentine's Day has really made me more receptive to the idea of three dimensional structures, and although this one isn't the most intricate effort you'll ever see, it did do exactly the job I intended.
I also budgeted for a couple of box openings, specifically from the Snowman Hat. Given my excellent results last week out of the Dino Crate and Zoo Crate, I was resigned to the prospect of a disappointing outcome this time. And so you can imagine the delight when I got the second prize Igloo at the first attempt!
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| Second prize Igloo from Snowman hat |
It's an excellent 3x3 piece and one which I'll undoubtedly be utilising in future winter themed layouts, so is a good investment. The Snow Suit was my other prize, and although clearly not worthy of the 24 gems parted with is still a decent decoration.
So with mankind having made it through the Ice Age largely unscathed what comes next? I daresay future stops are going to be rich with the advancement of civilisation...
Next: Stop #4 - Ancient Egypt
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