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@ Molten Universe
BUDDHA begins his experience of Earth and Fire!
Molten Universe
Fire and water and earth combine, is this world emerging to join the universe, or is its time over, descending into oblivion.

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@ Plasma Phenomenon

Navy Flower Power Egg
The first painted eggs came from Mesopotamia, and because eggs were forbidden food during Lent, people painted eggs while Lent was being observed—after Lent, they would eat the eggs on Easter Day.

Beautifully decorated eggs “pysanka” are associated with Ukraine, and the oldest painted egg that was unearthed in northern Ukraine is dated to the end of the 17th century.

Plasma Phenomenon
A beautiful purply-green plasma phenomenon. You can almost feel the energy fizzing from it!

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@ Earth Tones
The idea that four elements – earth, water, air, and fire – made up all matter was the cornerstone of philosophy, science and medicine for two thousand years.
Earth Tones
Don't you just love these rust-like, earthy, orange tones? They provide a brilliant way to embrace the calming properties of nature in your home and are very "in" at the moment!

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@ Nature in Neon
The ancient Greeks believed that there were four elements that everything was made up of: earth, water, air and fire. This theory was suggested around 450 BCE, and it was later supported and added to by Aristotle. Aristotle also suggested that there was a fifth element, aether, because it seemed strange that the stars would be made out of earthly elements. He would be surprised to learn that they are in fact made up of many elements found on earth, and are so hot they could be said to be on fire all the time!
Nature in Neon
This map of the continents has a stark black background that emphasises the colourful neon creatures in an eye-catching way.

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@ Firework Trails
"Art galleries can be hard on the paws, can't they, Squirrel?" remarked BUDDHA.
"Just think of the café and gift shop at the end, BUDDHA! That keeps me going!"
Firework Trails
Sparks shoot out and leave trails of light, only for a moment, like the memories of all the fireworks gone before.

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@ Spark Of Celebration
BUDDHA and Queenie had shaken paws and took some time to enjoy the exhibits in a companionable silence!
Spark Of Celebration
Celebrations bring people together to share their customs. Lights and fire have always been part of celebrations. The fizz and crackle of a sparkler held in hand bring delight, casting its tiny glow on happy faces.

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@ Celebrate With Candles
"Zoey, I've got something called "sepia effect" on my camera. I've got a feeling it’s faulty, though. It just makes everything go all brown!”
"Oh, BUDDHA, that's what it's supposed to do! See that exhibit over there?"
Celebrate With Candles
Ever since candles were invented by the Romans in 500 BC, candles have been a part of celebrations and life in general. A candle is a light to banish the darkness, placed in a window as a beacon for a weary traveller. Candles have been used to tell the passing of time, to warm a room, and as a symbol of hope. That tiny flame means so much to so many people.

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@ Campfire At Night
"Today's trivia question, Artie!" announced BUDDHA. "When were the first ever windmills built?"
"Oh, goodness! I've no idea, BUDDHA, but I imagine they're pretty old!" responded Artie.
BUDDHA grinned. "Windmills have been in use since 200 BCE. They were first developed in Persia and China."
Campfire At Night
The earthy, musky scent, the crackle, and pop as gas is released from the wood, the warmth and soft light emitted by the dancing flames, this is a campfire, a welcoming place to relax and tell stories when the adventures of the day spent outdoors are done.

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@ Remains Of The Light
"It says here that 'fire' is from the Old English fȳr, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch vuur and German Feuer," remarked BUDDHA.
"That's interesting!" responded Misha.
Remains Of The Light
Wispy trails are all that remain when the candle is extinguished. The smoke swirls and curls and heads ever upward on currents of air until even the smoke has vanished.

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@ Flamboyant Phoenix
"At the time of the Great Fire of London in 1666 there was no fire brigade such as we have today. Men from the Navy used gunpowder to blow up houses in the path of the fire to halt its spread!"
"Goodness me, Moonabelle! Drastic, or what? Did it work?" queried BUDDHA.
"It sort of worked—eventually! But it took some days, during which time a large part of London had been destroyed."
Flamboyant Phoenix
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a phoenix of colourful smoke effects!

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@ Abstract of Smoke
"The Great Fire of London in 1666 gave rise to many changes, you know, BUDDHA," remarked Angus McGregor. "Many streets were widened across London. New building regulations meant that instead of wood, brick had to be used for all houses."
Abstract of Smoke
How can such prettily coloured smoke in shades of pink, grey and parchment, be so free-flowing and yet have the appearance of being almost textured in its twists and turns?

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@ Tender Life
"It says here that 'fire' is from the Old English fȳr, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch vuur and German Feuer," remarked BUDDHA.
"That's interesting!" responded tigg.
Tender Life
Starting from seed and some moisture, warmth, and the ability to find water even though tiny cracks in concrete, the little plant struggles upward and continues to grow.

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@ A Little Fern Seeks The Sun
“I could stay here in front of this image forever, BUDDHA,” said Jack. “This is an amazing place!”
“Well, you never know what lies ahead, Jack. I wouldn't be surprised if the next exhibit is even better!” said BUDDHA.
A Little Fern Seeks The Sun
Tiny stem, delicate fronds, a new fern has struggled and pushed its way from beneath the soil to seek the sun as it continues to grow.

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@ Leave A Light On
Ray Bradbury wrote a book called The Fireman, but the editors found the name boring. They called a local fire station to ask at what temperature book paper would burn at. The firemen put Bradbury on hold, burnt a book, and reported that the temperature it burnt at was 451° Fahrenheit. The rest, as they say, is history.
Leave A Light On
Light chases away the darkness and reveals what our imagination would make into horror as nothing more than a jacket over a chair. Light reveals dangers, so don't wander into that room without light, or you may encounter the legendary lego trap and your feet will forever feel betrayed.

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@ Firework Compilation
Oh look ... you won a pet!
Firework Compilation
A selection of fireworks—looking like a new form of firefly—caught the moment they burst into colour and light.

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@ Tillers of the Earth
"It's turned a bit hot, BUDDHA. They must have put the heating on! I'm going to take my scarf off," said pinky pie.
"Good scheme! I'll do the same," said BUDDHA.
Tillers of the Earth
Whether it is on a small-scale domestic allotment or larger scale smallholding or farm, an annual task is to turn over the soil ready for crop-planting, to produce that satisfying harvest later in the year!

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@ River Thames From the Air
"Art galleries can be hard on the paws, can't they, Hyacinthie?" remarked BUDDHA.
"Just think of the café and gift shop at the end, BUDDHA! That keeps me going!"
River Thames From the Air
Starting as a small trickle in the Cotswolds, the River Thames travels over 210 miles (338km) through the heart of some of England’s most picturesque towns, right into the centre of London and eventually, out into the North Sea. Here we see it snaking its way through central London.

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@ Determination Of Life
"When was silver identified as an element?"
"Eek—no idea, Chewbie!"
"Don't worry, BUDDHA! It was as far back as 4000 BCE!"
Determination Of Life
Fragile green life fights against all odds to burst forth into the air. The determination of living things to grow and thrive is magical, inspiring, and perfectly natural.

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@ Aerial View, France
"After the Great Fire of London in 1666, businessmen started house insurance companies. They had to be careful because if another fire started they could lose a lot of money. To get around this, they ended up hiring their own fire brigade just in case a fire did start! This is when the first brigade started."
"It sounds a bit hit-and-miss, BUDDHA!" remarked Toby.
"It was, yes. Any of the insurance companies' fire brigades weren't allowed to put out a fire of a house which was insured with a different company!"
"They'd just watch it burn, then, BUDDHA?"
"Well—I guess that was how it went, Toby, yes!"
Aerial View, France
This panoramic aerial view of a patchwork of agricultural fields in rural France is an amazing image.

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@ Celebration Sparkler
"What unit of measure is used for wind speed, BUDDHA?" asked Brown Bobby.
"Um—I don't know—miles per hour?" hazarded BUDDHA.
"No. The knot."
"Oh, Brown Bobby, I thought that was to do with sailing?"
Brown Bobby consulted the tour guide. " 'A knot is a unit of speed equivalent to one nautical mile per hour, used especially of ships, aircraft, or winds.' There you go."
Celebration Sparkler
This is an ideal accompaniment to celebratory dark winter events, a hand-held firework emitting and fizzing with cheerful sparks! Try writing your name with one!

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@ Festive Candle
“Ooh, it's just starting to get a bit cold, BUDDHA!” said Suzie. “Can you hold my map while I dig out my jumper?"
BUDDHA good-naturedly took charge of Suzie's possessions while she emptied her rucksack of a pack of sandwiches, a Thermos flask, a pair of galoshes, a bag of toffees, a paperback novel, a bottle of mineral water, an address book, some postage stamps, an assortment of different coloured biros, a bottle opener, a couple of old train tickets, a handful of golden and silver moles, a door key, some shopping receipts, a screwdriver, a bottle of multivitamins, a lottery ticket and a selection of rather battered sachets of salt, sugar and tomato ketchup before locating the jumper right at the bottom. This she donned and then BUDDHA helped her put everything back in her rucksack.
Festive Candle
Find the matches, turn down the lights, light the candle and enjoy.

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@ Meditation In Pink
"There's a fun project in our brochure on how to make a weather vane from an ice cream container lid, scissors, a marker pen, a skewer, a straw and a pin," remarked BUDDHA.
"Cool!" responded fresh. "We could make a start when we get back to our hotel tonight."
Meditation In Pink
Celebrations are made of this, looking back while anticipating what is to come. The soft glow of a lit candle catches the eye, draws you in, and erases the now—for a moment.

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@ Welcoming Warmth
The fastest gust of wind ever recorded on Earth was 253 miles per hour.
Welcoming Warmth
Where is the cat that should be basking on the warmed tiles, stretching in sublime relaxation? Where is the cat that should be sleeping, curled up in this welcoming warmth?

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@ USA at Night
"I think there'll be quite a few tired paws, wings and flippers when we get back to the tour bus," said Artie, after he and BUDDHA had spent some time exploring another wing of the art gallery to its end.
"Is there a gift shop after this?" enquired BUDDHA. "The thought of that generally keeps me going!"
USA at Night
Using satellite imagery, this aerial view of the United States of America lit up at night presents a striking image.

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@ Magic Of A Candle
As BUDDHA's experience of "Earth and Fire" comes to an end, he receives a wonderful gift!
Double Blooms Flower, Violet
Looking like a watercolour that Monet would be proud of, this delicate violet flower duo will add a touch of softness and romance to your art.

Magic Of A Candle
Candles are magical, they bring smiles when the room is darkened and the birthday cake is brought in with all the candles alight. Candles bring a feeling of coziness and romance when placed on a dining table and the lights are turned down low. Candles light the footpath, can warm a room, and light a darkened corner.
BUDDHA has completed his exploration of "Earth and Fire"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also explore the Elements!