Welcome to my blog, where I take pleasure in words and pictures, be they my own or those of others. I'm a creative individual, and the crafty side I explore on my 'other blog', Picking Up The Threads, which I hope you'll visit too. I'm sure you understand that I have sole copyright of my original work and any of my contributions, so please ask if you want to use them. A polite request is rarely refused. So, as they used to say on the BBC's 'Listen With Mother' radio programme, many years ago: "Are you sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin."

Tuesday 9 August 2011

Rough and Tumble

Carmi’s challenge this week over at Written.Inc Thematic Photographic is the theme of ‘Rough’ - literally and figuratively. My two shots are of abandoned and tumbledown buildings, fallen into disrepair. The first is a decidedly rough archway, formed when the rest of the farmhouse crumbled away. Here in Lanzarote this is what happens to old abandoned buildings, as they decay over time. There is some ancient law that says it is not allowed to knock them down. This means that the landscape is dotted with half-ruins which form their own beautiful shapes and landmarks and are enhanced by nature, as lichen covers the surfaces and the winds wear away at the stone walls.

Tinasoria, Lanzarote

The second, is an abandoned spa at Kalithea on the island of Rhodes, which we visited a few years ago. It had been built in the 1930s by affluent Italians in an idyllic spot, but had been left to fall into a ruin. Reading it up on the web it appears it has now been restored and is a popular venue for island weddings! It is difficult to find much about the history but if you click here you will see some old sepia photographs which give some hint of the grandeur that was Kalithea.

Kalithea, Rhodes

12 comments:

  1. I love that first shot! It is a definite rough architecture... The passageway is framed well... As far as your comment, I agree w/you! they look like they are saying 'oh'...

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  2. The mixture of small stones in the walls of the building emphasise the roughness of the wall. When it was covered in plaster it would be smooth - now it's smooth in a different way.

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  3. You have picked two wonderful rough ideas. That would have been a tough one to figure out at first but you ideas are good.

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  4. It'll take more than a bit of plaster, filler and paint to get these buildings back to their former glory. Who'd want to ruin them anyway, though?

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  5. I love that first shot, the way it captures the detail of the wall and then leads you through it into the landscape beyond. 8-)

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  6. your rough brings real beauty to my eyes! I really enjoy views through openings like in your first photo...stunning!

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  7. I visited Lanzarote for the first time four or five years ago and I was captivated by the place. Your first photograph transported me back there immediately. Not been to Rhodes yet, but I will add it to my list.

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  8. Despite it's rough exterior, you captured the spa's grandeur quite well.

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  9. Love your photograph - excellent!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  10. I love the old stones - but what patience and time it must have taken to build those houses in the first place!

    And the Spa at Kalitha has its own charm. Lovely photos!

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  11. A Solid Beauty in Man-Made turning back to Nature.

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