Last Legs

On their Last Legs

 By Alistair Child

We use this term a lot and like many terms little is thought about what it means or how it fits into a situation. We use it anyway because it seems to fit.

This is a story in pictures rather than words. It’s a story I will add to as I find subjects and take more photos to share with you. You can perhaps make your own stories as you look at the images. See the Last Legs Photo Gallery.

For me I find it sad that these places and things were once loved by someone and now on their last legs go on their way to rack and to ruin.

If I was able and had the room I know I would become something of a horder. My dad had a little of this trait in him and would pick up some piece of seemingly junk and say “I’ll use that some time”, and he always would, often surprising everyone what he eventually used this thing for.

 
I guess some of this rubbed off on me, for when I look at these old things and places, all I see is treasure. See my article on, One mans rubbish.

Another strong feeling I get is of the lives of the people who created these dwellings, many of which were born, lived, and died in them.

Many of the houses would have been built at a time when being born happened at home and in the bedroom, and not down the road at the local maternity hospital.

These people had their hopes, aspirations, laughter, life and death.

Hard to imagine now, all silent but for the many birds now making good use of these structures, broken windows torn curtains and grass to the window ledges. The rotting foundations causing the buildings to sag and roll like a slow ocean swell frozen in time.

 
Sheds and out buildings were a place of work, industry and storage. Often the remnants of this industry remains behind, still lying where it was placed by the hand of it’s user,  a work in progress perhaps.

 
These images have been taken in and around Southland and Otago, and may bring memories and recognition for some people and for others just an interesting photo.

 
Either way, enjoy and look out for more picks as I place them in this site.