timber-framed – TRAVEL WORDS

Time x Square

Time for another square month hosted by the lovely Becky. The photos don’t necessarily have to be of a timepiece, but are open to interpretation to reflect time in some way, or sayings such as ‘the passing of time’, ‘a stitch in time’, or time running away from you.

Day 14 and time for some more history from Ludlow.

This is a timber-framed house hidden behind a more modern facade.

To join in with the Squares challenge please visit Becky for instructions. Remember the only proper rule is that the photo must be SQUARE.

December Squares | Day Fourteen

Time x Square

Day Four and time for some history. Many of you know that I lived in lovely historical Ludlow (Shropshire) for five years before moving to Cornwall. Ludlow is a famous medieval town with many listed buildings as well as holding an excellent market several times a week.

This exquisite timber-framed house is from the 17th century.

To join in with the Squares challenge please visit Becky for instructions. Remember the only proper rule is that the photo must be SQUARE.

December Squares | Day Four

Scrobbesbyrig/Shrewsbury: Town Trail Part 2

Leave Bear Steps on Fish Street (1) via Grope Lane to exit onto the High Street. On the corner is the former Cross Keys Inn. (44)

(The medieval folk were quite apt to call ‘a spade a spade’, or in this instance, the heart of the red-light district was called Grope Lane (ahem… shortened from something even more unacceptable). These areas were often found in the centre of market towns, such as Shrewsbury, to please the visiting market tradesmen who came to the town and whose stalls were close by, as well as the locals. St Alkmund’s Place was used for the market until the thirteenth century. Most towns have renamed their streets to something more genteel, such as Grove or Grape or Grave – you get the picture. Shrewsbury has retained its name, but then with names like Mardol and Dogpole you can sort of see why!)

Opposite is the Square. From here you can see several important buildings: Owen’s Mansion (41), the former Plough Inn (40), Wolley’s House (39), the Old Market Hall (38), the former Music Hall (37), and the very interesting Alliance Assurance Company with its Flemish styled ornate building of pink banded brick and grey stone. Look at the top of this building and you will see the loggerheads (leopards or lions) the Salop coat of arms. Continue reading Scrobbesbyrig/Shrewsbury: Town Trail Part 2

A lingering look at Shropshire

Paula’s black and white Sunday this week is all about Rural Living.

I was going to post a view from my new house, but then I thought it would be nice to show off a bit more of the beautiful Shropshire landscape which has kept me company during the past four and a half years. Just a couple of miles walk from the town you find yourself with views like these. I have to say I will miss them. The Ent-like trees, the dead straight hedgerows, the sheep in the fields, the tracks of tractors, the black and white timber-framed houses and the hills. Shropshire is a beautiful rural county and I think this image captures its beauty.

Please visit Paula to see other blogger’s thoughts about rural living.

Scrobbesbyrig/Shrewsbury: Town Trail Part 1

Today we are going to follow the blue path around town, starting from the Bear Steps (1) heading to the railway station. (The churches, station and library appear in ‘Looking at stone buildings‘)

The Bear Steps (1) is in the centre of town and named after a pub that was opposite the steps.

This place has a family connection as the OH’s eldest uncle was born in one of the small cottages back in 1913. The Bear Steps hall is one of only a few remaining medieval stone and timber-framed halls that dominated the town’s architecture. It now houses the offices of the Shrewsbury Civic Society (who produce a Shrewsbury Town Trail booklet and from which much of this information has been gathered) an Art Gallery and Coffee Shop. Continue reading Scrobbesbyrig/Shrewsbury: Town Trail Part 1