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Saturday, November 15, 2008

PhotoHunt: Ruin(ed)


This week's theme is ruin(ed). I thought I'd give you an example of both. The first image shows the ruin of a building known as the Old Salt House. It's located at Port Eynon, on the Gower Peninsula, near Swansea, in Wales. Local legend insists that the Old Salt House was a local smuggler's stronghold, but a number of historians insist that's just a legend. It seems the true story of the Old Salt House's origins are a little more mundane. Since the days of Elizabeth I, the now ruined building was used for the production of salt, which was extracted from sea water.


From the ruins of an old building in decline, we turn to the skyline of Swansea Bay, ruined for many thanks to a new construction. See this ugly thing? I took this shot about a year ago, when this hideous thing was about ten metres high, and only a fraction of its eventual width. It looks fairly innocent here, albeit ugly.


See the yellow-clad portion? That's now over 300 ft. high. It has lower sections either side of it, which are at least seven to eight stories high, and now far more extensive than they appear in this image. It has ruined what was once an unbroken view of Swansea Bay for hundreds, if not thousands, of people. I hate it. It's a vile, hideous scar on the landscape. It has also ruined enjoyment of their homes for many people. It has been built so close to their homes, that they could literally reach out of their windows and touch it. Their once light and airy seaside homes are now dark and miserable.

Oh well, that's it for this week. Have a lovely weekend, and don't let anyone or anything ruin it for you!
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8 comments:

Anonymous said...

That looks familiar, I thought... and then there is the real ruination. It really is disgusting.

Gemma Wiseman said...

That last building is an absolute eyesore! I totally agree with your comments!

But there is something quite fascinating about the first image!

Anonymous said...

I have the same story of a building blocking the view of a very beautiful mountain in a particular province in my country. I like your term, a scar on the landscape.

RJ Flamingo said...

Great post. We have the same problem here - developers blocking out the sun with their hideous sky-scraping monstrosities. What a shame! Love the photo of the salt house.

I love the texture of "ruined." Stop by if you can:

http://flamingofotos.blogspot.com

Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

Interesting post...thanks!

Rebecca Mecomber said...

The first building isn't too bad, but UGH the second one! They should take that down.

I did Photo Hunt today, too. I hope you get a chance to visit and leave your link!
http://newyorktraveler.net/photo-hunters-ruined/

Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

I agree that building is a beast of a building. the council shouldn't be allowed to wreck the landscape like that.

Dragonstar said...

Excellent post. That new building is a disgrace - can't imagine why it was permitted. Of course, if you or I wanted to build there, it would never have been allowed!

 
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