PhotoHunt: Narrow

OMG!I almost forgot about this week's PhotoHunt. 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!