PEAR TREE LOG

pear tree log: I started this blog to keep my younger son, Jonny, in touch with life in Lincolnshire, while he spent a year working in China. That year turned into five! Now he is home and training to become a physics teacher. This is simply a patchwork quilt of some of the things I enjoy - life in rural Lincolnshire, our animals, friends, architecture, books, the gardens, and things of passing interest.



Friday 20 April 2012

Friday Fences

I am delighted to be joining in with Friday Fences
many thanks to Meggie on the Prairie for introducing me to it.


I often walk past these metal railings, I have always liked the juxtaposition of the metal, old wood, tiles and greenery.
Today I obtained permission to photograph the rails from inside the paddock.

I particularly like the patina on these old metal railings.    They have seen some life but they are sturdy and strong.    Our little village has an elderly resident blacksmith and I like to think that the railings were made by him, or one of his ancestors.





I love the textures, the wear, the rust and the tiles of this little barn which butts up to the railings...





and I like the way nature is doing her best to subsume the metal.
My antics with the camera on this wet and soggy day were overseen by dear old Arnold.  
Part of the function of this fence is to keep him safe from the lane.
Long may it do so.

The old brown horse has a shaggy coat,
But once he was young and trim,
And he used to trot through the woods and lanes
With a woman who was fond of him.

Excerpt from a poem by W F Holmes

36 comments:

  1. I like those railing because they have nice, sensibly rounded tops - can't stand the ones with pointy spikes, just asking for trouble!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Owl, They are horse-friendly for a friendly old horse. Pointy spikes are scary spikes and I daren't let my imagination run away with me on that one.

      Delete
  2. What a thought provoking idea this post is. I will take more notice now of old railings as there is beauty in everything...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Green Dragonette, I may be a little biased because I am so fond of Arnold, but I think they have a kind of beauty. I even like the rusty corrugated iron on the old barn!

      Delete
  3. beautiful shots. i really love the roof of the barn. (:

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Beth, Thank you! I love those tiles too - especially with all the wear and the moss.

      Delete
  4. oh i love all the colors and textures in these images...and of course, the horse!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Tanya, I am so pleased you like them. Arnold is a wonderful old horse, I visit him often.

      Delete
  5. Those are great railings. And I agree with the things you described. Wonderful post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Amy, I was a little nervous about posting them - but I'm so relieved that people seem to like them too. It is a lovely place.

      Delete
  6. Great post! Love the shed. And the metal posts being invaded by nature. And always love a horse photo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi alwaysbackroads, There was a lot on offer in that tiny space - lots of shapes and textures. I'm so pleased you enjoyed seeing Arnold.

      Delete
  7. Outstanding post, Elaine....I can imagine myself walking past the old metal railings, as you often do on your walks. What beautiful words from W F Holmes....so perfect a tribute to Arnold.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Meggie, Phew! I had three different fences to choose from but in the end that one, plus Arnold just felt right. I pass those railings every time I walk to the fishpond, visit Arnold, go to into the village, etc. I shall think of you next time I pass them.

      Delete
  8. You have a great eye for photography--it must run in the family.
    I agree with Owl that the rounded top on the iron fence is much more friendly than the spiked kind. I wonder if that design is unique to your area because I've never seen it anywhere else. Maybe your blacksmith's ancestors had a hand in it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ms Sparrow, I shall take note as I go through the village next time - and if the blacksmith is at work I may even call in and ask him whether he knows anything about the railings and their design. I am really pleased that you liked the photographs - Owl is a hard act to follow!

      Delete
  9. I think the weather added to the beaty of the shots.
    Jane x
    PS Now I know why you like my fences!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jane, It is a good job you couldn't see the surface water which I had to squelch through to reach the railings. Even Toby refused to follow me in the end as he was practically up to his 'ankles' in mud! The things this blogging has led me to do!

      Delete
  10. Calling by as another Friday Fences participant, interesting compositions. I just knew you were blogging from the UK when I saw the fences, we used to have some just like that. I also have a daughter living in HK at present!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi LindLouMac, It is such a small world and I love the way that blogging can connect us all in such interesting ways. I look forward to calling by your blog shortly, it is fascinating to see the fences on offer.

      Delete
  11. That fence is really nice. Have a good weekend.

    Hugs
    Elna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Elna, Thank you. I hope you have a lovely weekend too!

      Delete
  12. Great shots..all so rustic n charming. Welcome to FF...hope to see you back next week! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jan n Jer, Thank you very much! It was great fun. I am constantly scouring the countryside for likely-looking fences now!

      Delete
  13. Hi Elaine, me again I am so glad you decided to follow me as I am following you back and looking forward to getting to know you virtually. I will add you to my blog roll for blogs around the world on my Italy blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi LindyLouMac, Thank you so much. I shall enjoy doing some back-reading on your blog.

      Delete
  14. I adore fences of any kind especially old ones. I'm actually shopping around right now trying to decide what kind of fence and arbor to get to replace my old one. Loved your pictures and would love to be part of ff....thanks so much Elaine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Linda, I hope you join in, it is such a great idea and the fences which I have been viewing on other blogs have been really impressive. I am constantly looking out for interesting fences now. Looking forward to seeing your fence and arbour.

      Delete
  15. Those old iron fences just last forever - thank goodness!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kathy, That particular fence has got plenty of life left in it yet - probably a lot longer than the barn!

      Delete
  16. Really great photos. Love the textures! What a neat place!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Marie, I am so pleased you like it. If only I had remembered to take my macro lens!

      Delete
  17. wonderful series of shots
    the beauty of nature and iron fences :)

    I love all your animals on the sidebar
    what a wonderful family of furry sweeties

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Dianne, Thank you so much. Both cats love trotting up the road to that barn - they often come home with a trophy or two! My boy, Toby, always comes with me for a 'chat' with Arnold, my neighbour's horse.

      Delete
  18. Lovely photos!! And everything is so green, ahhhh!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Knatolee, We have had so much rain in the last couple of week that everything is growing like crazy. It all looks very beautiful, if a little wild!

    ReplyDelete

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.