I live in one county, work in another. My drive is about 40 minutes in good weather and just over 50km. Some people find it surprising that I drive that far each day, and thankfully I don’t mind the drive at all. I pop on a podcast and cruise home.
I usually travel ‘the back way’, which means nothing to some, but over Nuttby Mountain, through Earltown. Part of the reason why I don’t hate my drive is because the roads I travel are very scenic. I thought I might share some of the views that catch my eye. And I thought I might start with some of the old, derelict buildings that sit, lonely and for the most part – unloved on the side of the road. Most people don’t even see them, but I love them.
You may have seen my post over on Instagram of this beauty the other day. A lot of people have photographed this house. In fact, during the warmer months, it isn’t uncommon to see people pulled off the road, snapping pictures of it. And the best was when someone taped a red paper heart to the front of it. It made me smile every time I saw that fading heart, to know someone else loved this place, too, enough to stop and leave their mark in a subtle but meaningful way. Eventually time and weather removed that heart, but I know it was there, like a gentle kiss.
I’ve shared this house quite a few times over the years on Instagram. It begs to be photographed and shared. So that we don’t forget. At some point, people lived their lives here, did their day-to-day routines within these now weathered walls. I’d love the hear the stories they could tell. But bit by bit, those walls are coming apart.
I have no idea what this little round building is. But I so enjoy it. The laid-over tin roof, the weathered shingles….sitting alone.
Technically, this isn’t abandoned. I know the owners so I could ask a few questions, but I don’t. I drove past this place everyday on the bus route as a kid. I don’t remember it. The trees grew up around it. But recently, the trees were cleared away and the building shored up. So someone still cares!
That’s it for the abandoned buildings that I’m going to share. I have a few other ideas about my drive to share so another day when I leave home a couple minutes early, I’ll snap some of the homes I love and community spaces that are along the drive, and maybe some pretty rivers, too!
Colourfully yours,
Lori
PS I took these pictures yesterday – today’s commute was slow and slippery!
