This strange couple are at the start of the East Strand in Portrush - although the name on the lintel of the old cottage implies we're at the end of the beach, not the start.
(I suppose if you started out at the White Rocks about a mile to the West and walked towards Portrush then yes, technically you would be at the end of the beach here but it's an odd way of looking at it if you ask me). Anyway, I'm not quite sure what the planners were thinking here - but that implies that planners actually do think and based on some of their decisions in this part of the world I'm not so sure about that. The contrast of these two buildings could hardly be greater:
 |
| 'Beach End', Portrush 2019. Adox MCC paper |
I like the fact that in 'Beach End' the windows are open and hey - it actually looks like it's being lived in. The reality is that the windows are probably open as the place is damp and musty but let's not let the reality of the situation impinge on the romantic notion that the wee old place is full of character and much, much nicer than the brand new apartments next door, what with their big view-tastic windows and balconies and central heating and all mod cons...
This photo is just about perfect, I'd say. I like the framing and the progression of tones from dark ground to the light grey house to the white apartment and then back to a dark sky.
ReplyDeleteIs space at a premium in East Strand? The apartment was built very close to the house.
Thanks Marcus I appreciate your comment. And of course it was all by design and careful planning ;)
DeleteSpace is increasingly at a premium anywhere with a view of the sea, Marcus. It commands a hefty price premium, too. And these houses are right on the beach front, more or less, so it's a hop, skip and a jump from your bed to the mile or so of sandy beach and views of Dunluce Castle and beyond that you might have seen here a couple of weeks ago. Blimey when I write it like that I'm wondering why the heck I don't live there myself...but in the summer it gets real busy, busier every year so it's nice to retreat to the peace & tranquility of the garden from about now to October. I only live a couple of miles inland so it's about a 5 minute drive to the beach for me. I reserve the beach walks at this time of year for early morning and late evening.
Living in a nice place often brings inconveniences. I once lived in a village of ten houses in the countryside. It was beautiful, but in summer tourists from Seoul used to fly through in their cars, making the roads dangerous for children and dogs. I guess they felt such release from the traffic jams of the big city that they went a bit mad. Sometimes they did stop to take vegetables and fruit from gardens without permission. If it's not in a shop, it must be free, right?
DeleteWhat an absolutely fantastic set of contrasts, Michael :)
ReplyDeleteNot that I think it might be right to put up that new building right there of course, but still it's perfect for the picture at least.
Well... money talks, don't they?! It's the same wherever you go these days it seems. Here in Norway we actually got a "100 meters rule" which means you can't put up a house closer than 100 meters from the sea. Hah...!! They still made the rule in such a way that it's very much possible to get a permission to put up a house or a cottage as close as 1 meter from the sea should you wish so. Still there are other rules coming into play if you do such a thing. The right for all people to walk wherever they like as long as it's in the "beach zone" would be one reason why many people would think twice before putting up a building that close to the sea. It's forbidden by law to restrict peoples right to move around this belt of land, and I really hope it will stay that way forever! Some have tried to put up fences and stuff of course, but had to really dig deep in their pockets to pay the fines a bit later. Good, me thinks! That's the way it should be, actually.
Thank you Roy - appreciate the words.
DeleteI like the sound of Norway - the idea of being able to have unrestricted access to the sea. In Scotland people have the 'right to roam' but not here in Northern Ireland. All sorts of people try to stop the general public having access to places they should have access to. And yes, we too have our fair share of people who choose to put fences up first and worry about the courts later. Some people, eh?!
Mind you, anyone putting up a house close to the sea these days is either very rich, very brave or very stupid - given the dire warnings about rising of sea levels in the not so distant future.