Driving the back lanes..
I’ve been out a couple of times recently, just driving around the back lanes, seeing what I can find. I came across this cottage whilst driving across Tregoss Moor. A real fixer upper. I was attracted by juxtaposition of the old cottage, the sign directing animals and horse-drawn vehicles to use the gate to avoid the cattle grid and then that awful electricity pylon, a ubiquitous symbol of the modern world and our reliance on all things electric now…
29mm f/22 1/100 sec. ISO-100
The front door to the cottage was so tiny, only about 5ft in height if that. It must have been a very small person who lived here. Either that or someone who was permanently banging their head…
24mm f/22 1/4 sec. ISO-100
Cornwall Photographic 
Great photo’s
February 6, 2014 at 8:14 pm
Thank you very much Lou! :-)
February 6, 2014 at 8:40 pm
Wow! It really needs a lot of TLC, doesn’t it? I’m sure people must have been much shorter in the ‘olden days’, because most old cottages that I’ve been in, have very low ceilings and doorways. Of course, this doesn’t apply to the wealthy, who had huge homes with high ceilings and vast doorways. I guess they had more food to make them grow taller, and wider. :) Fabulous B&w images, Adrian.
February 6, 2014 at 8:23 pm
Thank you Sylvia. I know to my own, frequent, cost about the low ceilings in old cottages. The large entrances and high ceilings are certainly a feature of the homes of wealthier people of the time. I’ve no doubt there’ll be another property on this site at some point. I think the existing cottage is too far gone. The chimney stack seemed quite sturdy. Perhaps whoever develops it will make use of some the existing features. I hope so. :-)
February 6, 2014 at 8:44 pm
Small openings are easy to defend, and have the added benefit of discouraging visitors.
February 6, 2014 at 8:24 pm
I like your thinking Emilio! :-)
February 6, 2014 at 8:44 pm
An interesting cottage for sure.Make you wonder about the history of it and any previous occupants.
February 6, 2014 at 8:37 pm
Thanks for your comment Nathan. It would be interesting to find out the history of the cottage. I would imagine it would have been a farm workers cottage. There were others close by of similar size that have been renovated.
February 6, 2014 at 8:46 pm
Beautiful photo!
February 6, 2014 at 8:50 pm
Thank you! :-)
February 6, 2014 at 8:58 pm
A beauty Adrian
February 6, 2014 at 9:00 pm
Thank you Chris!
February 6, 2014 at 9:18 pm
Great photos of what is normally not seen, Great job
February 6, 2014 at 9:03 pm
Thank you very much indeed!
February 6, 2014 at 9:18 pm
Nice Urban photos
February 6, 2014 at 9:20 pm
Thank you!
February 6, 2014 at 9:25 pm
I agree, it’s a profound juxtaposition which not only speaks of the disparity in age but also aesthetic. I’m tempted to say, too bad they couldn’t remove those power lines…but then we likely wouldn’t be viewing this photo.:-)
February 6, 2014 at 9:23 pm
I would have to agree with you on the power lines Vivian but when I look at them, I have to shrug and accept I use electricity. It’s just a shame the cables aren’t buried in the ground rather than carried overhead but of course, it costs a bit more to do it that way so power companies don’t unless forced to which they have been in some parts of the country.
Unfortunately Cornwall doesn’t have a terribly loud voice when it comes to preserving its environment. It all comes down to economics and the relative poverty of the area. Not enough wealthy folks with sharp elbows and friends in high places to declare “not in my back yard” and have their voice heard. :-(
February 6, 2014 at 9:34 pm
We have the same issues here in the U.S. So many times I’ve gone to frame a shot and been unable to eliminate power lines, from any angle! It is so disappointing that the power companies aren’t willing to invest in burying the lines. They define and far too often dominate our landscapes.
February 6, 2014 at 10:26 pm
Les deux photos son tres belle!
Bonne soirée.
February 6, 2014 at 10:53 pm
Merci beaucoup Isabel! Bonne Soirée. :-)
February 7, 2014 at 5:31 pm
That doorway image is priceless!
February 6, 2014 at 11:22 pm
Thank you Phil. Much appreciated!
February 7, 2014 at 5:32 pm
Wonderful photos!
February 7, 2014 at 7:29 am
Thank you very much Cornelia! :-)
February 7, 2014 at 5:32 pm
Reblogged this on HOW Photography and commented:
Very nice. This sets your mind at ease….
February 7, 2014 at 8:20 am
Thank you very much!
February 7, 2014 at 5:33 pm
What a fabulous find and nice to see it in mono :)
Pylons are a pain aren’t they? …. I’m sure when they’re installed that quite some time is taken to find the worst possible position from a photographic point of view!
February 7, 2014 at 10:31 am
Thank you Noeline. It certainly seems that way. You can see a nice shot only what would be a beautiful view is obscured by the pylons and there is no way to get around them. In the national parks, the lines are buried but not here unfortunately.
February 7, 2014 at 5:36 pm
Very nice images! Looks like it was a beautiful drive!
February 7, 2014 at 3:45 pm
Thank you Robyn! Yes it was, a beautiful drive.
February 7, 2014 at 5:37 pm
Such interesting pics. So sad the little cottage is derelict. Guess it has stories to tell. Mum x
Sent from my iPad
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February 7, 2014 at 5:22 pm
Thanks Mum. :-) x
February 7, 2014 at 5:38 pm
That’s a very nice find and looks good in black and white. I’ve seen similar buildings in my time in Germany…they add such a richness to the local environment, even if it’s somewhat marred by those pylons….
February 9, 2014 at 2:05 pm
Thanks Scott. Yes the pylons are a pain but then again, this one does highlight the juxtaposition of old and new.. :-)
February 9, 2014 at 2:13 pm
You’re welcome…and yes, that juxtaposition is strikingly clear. ;)
February 9, 2014 at 2:15 pm
Love the 2nd shot…get out into the less traveled areas is great, and you do a great job capturing the mood (the B&W is great).
February 9, 2014 at 8:14 pm
Thanks Randall. I try and get round the back lanes when I can. The lanes do have a tendency to get very steep and very narrow in places where there is often no turning back. All part of the fun although perhaps pointing towards a cliff edge at a 45° angle praying the brakes won’t give out perhaps not so. ;-)I don’t use black and white so much but for this shot, it definitely seemed to suit.
February 9, 2014 at 9:15 pm
Look like places I would like to explore. Nicely captured and edited :)
February 13, 2014 at 5:32 pm
Thank you Paula! :-)
February 13, 2014 at 10:05 pm
Absolutely beautiful. We have those kind of cottages here in Sweden as well, but not many left. I think the small entrance is typical. People in those days were not as tall as we are, and to stay warm they usually had small windows and tiny doors too. No big openings to wind and cold. A very long time ago I guess one of the reasons could be defence as well.
February 20, 2014 at 6:33 pm
I suspect this one will not last much longer. The other cottages around, of similar age and dilapidation, are being gutted and rebuilt. I’m sure this one will follow. At least I have a photographic record. :-)
February 20, 2014 at 7:18 pm
Yes, it’s a pity we will never get the story behind it.
February 20, 2014 at 7:21 pm