Friday 23 May 2008

Chim-Chimney


All these chimney pots sit on the roofs of the old back-to-back houses that are on one side of the Portland Street car park. The large car park used to have these sort of houses all over it but they were all demolished in the late 60's. One house escaped the compulsory purchase order (giving the right to developers to buy land, and whatever is on it, and then being able to knock it down) and stood alone in the vast sea of tarmac, until it was eventually demolished in 1980. A public toilet now stands on the site of the former number 14.
I don't imagine that many of the houses with these chimneys have open fires now-a-days, but in the past the smoke must have been billowing. Was that the start of global warming? Its all Mary Poppins' fault!

15 comments:

Tanya Breese said...

That blasted Mary Poppins,lol...interesting photo. I've never seen chimneys like that before!

FĂ©nix - Bostonscapes said...

They are lovely. You'll find those cute little chimneys all over Boston as well. Most of the people I know do use their fireplaces, so I'm assuming that many of the chimneys here remain in working order (ours are, but we have gas fireplaces).

Knoxville Girl said...

I like the patchwork of red brick - makes the photo really interesting. We have eminent domain in the US - basically the government (city, state, or federal) can force you to sell your property to them at what they think is fair market value if they feel they need the property for "civic improvement." Which could mean selling to a developer. I'm glad you still have some chimneys left in your town.

Louis la Vache said...

Great shot! It reminds "Louis" of the toits de Paris!

monkey girl said...

That brings back such great memories of watching Mary Poppins over and over. I just loved her.

Stevenson Q said...

great photo!

Gosh Marley, I sooooooooooo feel bad. I really sorry. I really am about the american Idol thing. I'm really soory. Ok, that's a lesson for me now. Thanks so much and I'm really sorry!

your friend,
steven

• Eliane • said...

Lol!! Before I even clicked I had your title in mind. Love that picture. And now, I have that song in my mind for the rest of the evening. Thanks! ;)

Anonymous said...

It looks like Coronation Street!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Coronation Street was my first thought too. I can here the music now. W have open fires here, not many but a few. You can still by coal at the garage. it's another world here.

Petrea Burchard said...

It's a beautiful shot. I love the colors. I'm curious: where were you when you took it? You seem to be at roof level, you devil.

Chuck Pefley said...

I see Mary and Burt are nowhere to be found there amongst the brickwork :)

Bergson said...

Beautiful roof with excelent red color

brian stout said...

Beautiful shot!! It really reminds me of mary poppins too!!

Anonymous said...

cooool!! :D

Neva said...

It does remind you of the Mary Poppins scene doesn't it? nice shot!

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