Portal past its prime

[ucci]

Was mooching around a small country town, Kyneton, the other day, let loose with my camera to fill in time, whilst Wife and Daughter took their credit cards for a vigorous work out in the local shops. Mrs Ucci explained beforehand that the reason I was not included in their credit card blitzkrieg was that I am supposed to avoid all stressful situations; and she was only looking after my best interests in sending me off to wander around aimlessly, just me and my camera, whilst they would be off busily doing their best to rejuvenate the failing local business economy.
So, in my wanders, I passed this old blue stone Church, circa mid 1800's. And on one corner of the quite large open block on which it stood was this old gateway, standing totally in isolation. The fence through which it gave access was long gone, as was the path over which it stood guard. I saw it as a kindred spirit, both of us rather sad and lonely, a pathetic pair if you really want to know, whilst the fastest and the second fastest cards in town were off doing their thing to save the town from any impending bankruptcy. The vigour with which they pursued this campaign to stamp out the threat of insolvency in Kyneton will be well documented in our next Bank statement, I fear.
I am all for women having the vote, having equal opportunity and not being held back by the so called glass ceiling in business. Where I draw the line is that under no circumstances should they be placed unsupervised and let loose with a credit card.

Thanks for viewing and any comments you may care to post. Sorry for the longwinded yarn. Hope it was not too boring.

[Donald]

The fence through which it gave access was long gone, as was the path over which it stood guard. I saw it as a kindred spirit, both of us rather sad and lonely, a pathetic pair if you really want to know,

But still standing resolutely in the face all that life could throw at it. All around it that once was part of it - gone. But it still retains its pride and invites the world to come and admire it.

[Stagecoach]

Good story and good shot of that gate to nowhere Ken.

Interesting that someone has gone to the trouble recently of replacing the lower part of the left post but retained the top part to save some work

[dje]

You old scrooge ucci, fancy begrudging the ladies some of life's simple pleasures ! I reckon you should send them down to Melbourne for a weekend with cards in hand.

I like the gate shot, simple but interesting.

Dave

[marlunn]

Ken I like the gate a lot, well seen and captured, would be intersting to know the history of it as - noted it has been maintained, mind you may be by the local Wedding photographer makes a great point for a wedding shot ?

Great commentary as well - reminds me of a story a while a go where a man admited that his wifes credit card had been stolen 6 month before - but he did not report it as they were spending less on it that she did

[John 2]

Well seen and a nice shot Ken. Makes you wonder what it was like in its prime. A reminder of days gone by when things like that were created and valued.

[Shadowman]

Nice capture on both, next time see if you can get the family to go shopping a little later in the day so you can capture these under different lighting conditions.

[Barbara Ponder]

Ken I like both photos and I always enjoy your yarns The second photo in the perspective you chose gave me the feeling as if a child had been running through the hedges and came upon this massive and impressive structure. The awe that it imparts from behind just an ordinary bush........

[Dave Humphries]

That style of church wouldn't look out of place round here Ken, odd to think we can find things on the opposite side of the world so similar - but then there was probably a reason for that

I was, as usual, entertained by your musings.

[IzzieK]

I always enjoy your stories with your shots, Ken...Indeed! Glenise and your daughter must have had a very good day without you...and just to remind you, there are more places like Kyneton that need an economy boost. Pity you did not bring them to Melbourne for the Moomba Festival. They would have spent more money from the credit cards you had provided...I left Melbourne just in time before the festival so my credit card still stand as from before I left Missouri...

I like the church, Ken...very imposing image as Barbara said, to a child...wonder if it has the mandatory cemetery somewhere around there???

[Geoff F]

Your focus and exposure have worked well enough, Ken, but I'm not convinced by the composition.

For me, the gate in #1 is a bit too 'close'. I'm thinking that I would maybe like to see just a fraction more from the sides to put the scene into better context. But possibly there is something there which I wouldn't like so closer is better!

I do like the carpentry repair where a new foundation has been created for the old post.

The second scene would have worked if that foliage on the left had been in brighter light. But I feel it is too 'heavy' now, in shadow. Would a crop from the top and possibly one/both sides lighten the load a bit?

[ucci]

Thank you all for your great feedback.
And for 'Banana Bender' Dave and Izzie. Being an old pair of Bushies, and though it is only 96 cliks down the freeway, Mrs Ucci and I prefer to pretend that Melbourne doesn't exist and we refuse to acknowledge its presence, let alone actually visit it! We are ever hopeful it will up stakes and move, holus bolus, down to Tasmania. Mind you, we really have nothing against the apple eaters to maybe wish this upon them, even if they are still happily stuck in the 1950's era. They do it with such charm and panache they have to be admired.
And Barbara, re the Church shot, as to my intent, you got it in one!
And Dave, we hope the dreadful storms predicted for Brizzie just don't arrive, and that they pass FNQ by, leaving you all safe, sound and dry.

[dje]

And Dave, we hope the dreadful storms predicted for Brizzie just don't arrive, and that they pass FNQ by, leaving you all safe, sound and dry.

Thanks Ken, we did have a couple of good ones over the weekend but thankfully no damage around our way.

Dave

[IzzieK]

Thanks Ken, we did have a couple of good ones over the weekend but thankfully no damage around our way.

Dave

Good....!! I saw some short clips on the news last night when we went to bed and hope you folks out there are OK...now that you had replied here, I am sure you are...safe that is...

[dje]

Good....!! I saw some short clips on the news last night when we went to bed and hope you folks out there are OK...now that you had replied here, I am sure you are...safe that is...

Thank you for your kind words Izzie.

Dave