After we, my sis and I, had been walking on the rail trail one day, my GKB took us for a drive around the countryside. The area we were in is known as the Strath Taieri. Quite barren, as you can see.
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| One Tree Hill Not the official 'hill', that is in Auckland, but at least this hill had a tree on it. Someone cut down the one on One Tree Hill in Auckland, in protest at something or other. |
As we were driving back to the camping ground we saw this little cottage way out in the middle of nowhere. Imagine being a settler lady coming to live in this barren landscape. I don't think I would have liked it. Not my cup of tea at all.
This is the same little house, zoomed. You can see the roof is missing and a tree is growing in the living area, it rather took
my eye. Further back down the road was this house,
this one was occupied. They are built from local stone.
Above is the view from the road and below is one of the back of the house taken from the roadside as well. Can you see the sky dish? It rather spoils the effect of the old house , but I suppose even in a house of this age you want the mod cons. And look at those stock pens - this looks like a holding area for stock going to the works. (abattoir).
Across the road was this more modern cottage,
it looked loved with a nice tidy front yard and fresh paint.
I think these must be farm cottages, but I am guessing.
This little stone house was near the road and quite derelict as well. Not much of it left at all. I do wonder when these old stone cottages were deserted, and why? It seems a shame.
And that is it from me for the moment. Next week Sis and I are walking again, weather permitting. We'll be fine as long as
the wind drops and it doesn't snow. If it does I certainly
won't be walking anywhere.
joining Amy at:
Diana
Nice and interesting place to walk. I am trying to walk around our block once a day, my doctor says it's good for me but with knee and leg problems it isn't fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely thing to do with your sister, thank you for taking us with you, have a wonderful week end x
ReplyDeleteYou certainly took us on a very interesting stroll, I too wonder about the old stone buildings and why they are derelict. Such a shame, they look as if they were once very beautiful homes.
ReplyDeleteWhen I see houses like those, it sets my mind to wandering as well Diana. What were their lives like? Where did they work? And where would they get supplies? Things the pioneers never took for granted as they were responsible for making do or doing without. That is a principle that is veyr lacking in our day and time.
ReplyDeleteGreat adventures! It does seem sad to see houses that once were homes deserted. I agree, I don't think I'd want to live out in such a barren place either. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteLovely post; really sets the imagination going!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to have the company of your sister on these walks. It's interesting to see the terrain and the lived-in farmstead where you walked this time. The derelict buildings capture the imagination. You must have had to be a certain type of tough character to live out there. Your second photo looks like a painting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! It's nice to have someone to walk with. The buildings look like they have such character.
ReplyDeletePity you can't roll back time to see the houses come to life again.:-)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a nice and interesting place to walk. It does look quite barren and beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteInteresting grounds near you. The tree on the hill, unique. thanks for sharing your walk.
ReplyDeleteYour top photos reveal the wide open and perhaps desolate nature of the landscape. Those single trees really stand out! I'd love to know the stories behind the deserted homes.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos.
ReplyDeleteThe lovely stone house with the sky dish that didn't bother me as much as the leftover dirt (?) and rusty stuff just dumped by the back door.
cheers, parsnip and thehamish
So like our American plains...hard living and such difficulties for those who came to the land originally. Their little houses stand as a testament to nature winning. But I was happy to see others firmly planted there in their homes, in this more modern, somewhat easier time. Nice post!
ReplyDeleteYou must have had some wonderful talks on your walks, with so much time together and many great sights to see! Thank you for taking us along virtually! Thank you for joining Five On Friday, I hope you are having a good weekend. Sorry to be late visiting, I have been otherwise occupied as I said in my post. xx
ReplyDeleteWouldn't you love to know the history of these homes? It would be so interesting to know who lived there and know about their everyday lives. Thank you for sharing this interesting post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for showing us a part of the world I have never seen before.
ReplyDeleteYou have my imagination in overdrive wondering about those homes. Thanks for sharing a bit of your day with us!
ReplyDeleteOne tree hill indeed. Thanks so much for dropping by my creative writing blog!
ReplyDelete