Friday, August 05, 2011

Picture Post 1022 : Fit For Purpose


There are fairly strict rules here in the UK over advertising next to public highways. Permanent structures need to be approved, probably licensed, undoubtedly taxed, and possibly hosed down regularly with disinfectant. For years, farmers have got around such regulations by parking an old item of mobile farming machinery in field next to roads. From such agricultural wrecks are hung banners advertising this, that, and often the other. I have no idea what was hanging from this rusted old machine at the end of our road : I must pass it dozens of times a week and never notice. But I do notice the machine : the unadulterated functionality of it. Even with age, even with rust, even with decrepitude; it is still fit for purpose. Just a little like me, I hope.

13 comments:

  1. I so dislike seeing gorgeous fields littered with clapped out machinery and even old buses.

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  2. Alan, you are indubitably fit for purpose.

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  3. "Just a little like me, I hope." with or without that attractive green foliage, Alan?

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  4. [RE:Averts & Old Machines........]
    I didnt have my camera with me but............I was in Morrisons in Todmorden last night & ,parked-up, was a battered hatchback with hand written lettering (in bright red!)"Man & Chain Saw For Hire".......A sign Of The Times! Some Days, Todmorden seems like the perfect setting for a Stephen King novel!

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  5. ps in the car's window!

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  6. I love old machinery, even parked in green fields. I like what they represent and I think they are outstanding photo opps, every detail is worth a picture. This one I like, very much. The stories old equipment and vehicles could tell....

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  7. Great photo. And would dot my property with every piece of hansome and not so hansome farm equip. I could get if I could.
    Metal, going back to the earth, like wood has wonderful colors.

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  8. I also like all the old stuff in fields, and you see a lot of it around here. Old dilapidated houses with roofs caved in and overgrown with grass, and of course broken down tractors and trailers. They make me wonder who once lived there or who lives there now to have all this junk in their yard.

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  9. Yes! Synchronicity again. This would fit in very nicely with my Abandoned America series, only the fact that it's not American...hehe. Wonderful rusty patina.

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  10. Rust is always a great photographic subject. Great shot!

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  11. We are quite sure you are not going rusty, but maybe there is a satisfying patina somewhere waiting to show itself. This is a most satisfying photo! Thanks for sharing!

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  12. and what was the purpose of that machinery?
    :)~
    HUGZ

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  13. It is a neat piece of machinery. I can't figure it out but it looks great. Businesses over here find an extra business vehicle with it's sign on it's side and just drive it out in the field a park it for a week or two.

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