Visit Siani's Other Blogs

Visit Gower Strange Days

Saturday, February 02, 2008

PhotoHunt: Narrow



OMG!I almost forgot about this week's . I've been busy working on a new website, so everything else has fallen by the wayside this week. I've still not been able to get out and about to take some new photographs. However, I already have some that will do nicely for this week's theme, which is Narrow. Apologies to anyone who may have seen these pics when I first posted them last summer.

I decided to take the famous Heart of Wales train from my local station here in Swansea, all the way to its ultimate destination, Shrewsbury. This town lies over the border in England, in the county of Shropshire, and its fairly near the UK's second largest city, Birmingham. Shrewsbury is a lovely old town, and the River Severn curves around it in such away, its almost an island. But what I liked most about Shrewsbury, were the narrow medieval lanes, known as shuts. Quite often, walking along one of the shuts will lead you to some interesting and unexpected sights.



This particular shut is called Grope Lane. There are several interesting local theories about how Grope Lane got its name, during medieval times. Some people believe it was a haunt of medieval prostitutes - and that Grope Lane got its name for obvious reasons! Others say the name Grope Lane came about as a result of how medieval revellers would find their ways home after a night of carousing in the many local taverns. There were no street lights in medieval times, and the narrow lane was so dark at night, people would literally have to grope their way along it, especially after too much mead (an ancient type of fortified wine made from honey) or beer. No-one really knows whether any of the theories of how Grope Lane got its name are true.




After climbing up the steep, narrow Grope Lane, I came across another narrow little lane, known as Fish Street. No fish in sight, just a pub and a church.




A few minutes later, I came across a narrow flight of steps, known as Bear Steps.



I think the steps are also very old, and lead to another collection of narrow streets.

Oh well, those are my narrow pics. Have a lovely, warm and safe weekend!

25 comments:

Pretty Life Online said...

fantastic shots! great catch for the theme... hope you'll visit mine too...

Anonymous said...

Couldn't do better than this - Narrow's the word.
A.

jams o donnell said...

Nice shots Siani. There used to be a similarly named lane in London too (with the addition of a word which is better not repeated!)

Happy weekend

Leslie: said...

I love these photos. I don't think I've been to Shewsbury but you're the second person I've met from Swansea. Do you know Liz at http://liz-and-harvey.blogspot.com/
I visit her daily and enjoy her stories about her new puppy George.

Anonymous said...

A beautiful visit in narrow medieval streets! I would like to walk too! I like the atmosphere of the place!

Dragonstar said...

Lovely shots! Those with people in prove how narrow the shut is. Bear Steps look ancient too - just look at the worn dent in the stone treads!

Eve said...

WOW! That is narrow. I'm pretty sure we don't have anything similar here in the wide open spaces of the Western USA. My first thought on Grope Lane was that it was a convenient spot for a bit of slap and tickle. However, I think hanging onto the walls and groping one's way home in the dark is probably more accurate. Maybe not ....

Here's my narrow.

Liz Hinds said...

Those are lovely narrow old streets with a fascinating story behind the name.

jmb said...

These are wonderful shots of what looks like a great place to visit Siani, even if it is in England!

Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend.

ellen b. said...

I love these narrow lanes in Britain. We went down similar ones in York. Great narrow shots!!

Carver said...

Those are fabulous shots for the narrow theme. Very appealing to me. When I was 16 (34 years ago), I spent the summer in England. We lived in Caterbury but after my father finished his studies we traveled for about 3 weeks. One of the places we visited was Shrewsbury. Your post took me back to pleasant memories. I love the narrow lanes and medieval feel. I hope you have a great weekend.

Natalie said...

I like your photos! :) And your sh*t post after it made me laugh. I don't think you sh*t on mine before, but that's funny!

My narrow picture is up too! :)

poor man's nicole richie said...

pretty narrow road there and very long huh?
nice take on the theme.


Morning Sniffles

**"Liza"** said...

Love your collection of photos here..looks like you live in a very nice place here..love this kind of building..Wish Dallas is more like this..;) perfect entry for this week theme..Great choice..;)

Andree said...

You wrote such a beautiful post. I love it! I like the drunken revelry story best! One of the best features of a town such as this is that cars can't pollute and ruin the area (or the resident's lives!).

Napaboaniya.Elaine Ling said...

Pretty narrow lane, may I say it looks pretty well maintained despite it's actually a 'Red Light' district..heehee...

Anonymous said...

Lovely narrow streets, i wouldn't mind walking on these narrow streets.

Have a great weekend, Siani :)

My PH entries:
TeacherJulie

HomeschoolingBlog

Gattina said...

I love these old narrow streets and am happy to see that you also have it in Wales ! I have friends in Wales and going there to visit them is on my travel list ! The houses look like houses in Germany with this wood. Very nice pictures !!

Anonymous said...

Hello there!Congratulations on that page rank thing.

Great take on the narrow shots!
Thanks for the visits!

Anonymous said...

Hi!Even if the roads are narrow- still clean.

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

Wonderful collection of narrow photos! Thanks for sharing some history as well!

poefusion said...

Siani, your photos are great. I love how that one picture opens up to that church. It's beautiful. Those stairs look pretty old too. How old is the town of Shrewsbury? I've enjoyed my visit today. Thanks for sharing. Happy Photo Hunting~

Anonymous said...

Great photos of narrow. The place is lovely. Have a blessed week ahead.

Liz said...

Great photos of narrow! Happy hunting.

shiera said...

even if those are narrow, they're still lovely!
I'd definitely would want to visit Swansea! ^-^

 
ss_blog_claim=80361ebb90d0aa68f7212d099b7ed341