I was really desperate for a walk this morning, I felt so lazy guilty about lolling about all day. We decided to go & have a quick walk for an hour then call in for a coffee afterward.
I left it to Harry where we went & he drove straight to Daisy Clough & we ate a whole Sunday lunch! No walking involved!!
I got him to drop me in the village on the way home so at least I did redeem myself a bit. Harry went back to watch the rugby.
This is a very interesting house I walked past. An elderly couple live in this house & it’s quite rundown but just look at all the bricked up windows.
In 1696 a window tax was imposed on the number of windows you had. To avoid paying the tax some owners bricked their windows up. You were allowed a certain number of windows for a certain amount of money. The tax was repealed in 1851 after campaigners argued it was a tax on light & air.
You can read more details if you google it.
Strange to think that this house never reinstated their windows after all the years.
Three good things:
1. Harry is horse & dog minding while our neighbour is in hospital. So far both behaving well although the dog sulked a bit at the start as usual....he has to go out & buy it ham as a bribe!
2. Boiled eggs for tea later with hot buttered toast.
3. Lots of birthdays this month so I have got myself organised!
That seems crazy .. hope they don't bring that back again .. some of the silly ideas that the 'Powers that be' come up with I would not put past them ... George is just asking if 'Pole' tax was the same thing or something different .. Would be a lovely house in it's time .. with all the windows glassed..
A beautiful and substantial house in its time - So Harry is carrying out his good neighbour deeds ! Your neighbour must appreciate his kindness very much , and the dog will come to rely and love the hand that feeds him !! Guess what I had for my tea ! -- yep ! boiled eggs !
I have heard of this window tax! It must be so dark in there! I guess they can't afford to replace the windows! They would have their lights .on all the time! I just love boiled eggs- so many different ways to get them just the way you want.
Sounds like a good day.
The window tax was in place in Scotland too - I remember my Mum /Dad explaining it to me.
I don't think I would have coped very well with windows used in this way.
Well strangely I do suppose the ‘poll tax’ as it was called could be on the same lines as it penalises you on the way your house is perceived to have good things. The Council Tax as it’s called now in all but name pretty much. The neighbour up the road said she had seen our estate agents looking around a few weeks ago but not up fir sale yet.
The elderly couple who live there are in bad health so it’s only a matter of time. @julzmaioro
@ellida Indeed that is true...I don’t think they can be bothered but fancy living with these windows blocked up from 1851 & no one has bothered to change them.
@beryl great minds Beryl! Neighbour has had big op to remove some part of her brain that causes seizures so will be out of action for a bit. Her sister arrives from the USA tomorrow to help look after her.
Sorry meant to comment to each if you but run out of steam!
Thank you for lovely comments. I loved telling you about this house, it always fascinates me when I walk past it. It is gather neglected as you can see but it will be so interesting to see it rise in all its glory when eventually they move.
Very interesting information to go with that great photo. The government can think of taxing almost anything ... any way to get an extra dollar from the citizen!
@onewing It won’t be long I think Babs....the owners are getting near to having to be cared for now....they have lived there so long it will be a very sad & emotional day I’m sure.
The Netherlands had the same tax one time, the crazy thing is that some of the large houses on the Delft canals had 20 or more panes installed in their Windows, just to show off their wealth 😉
Great atmospheric shot Pat 😊
The window tax was in place in Scotland too - I remember my Mum /Dad explaining it to me.
I don't think I would have coped very well with windows used in this way.
The elderly couple who live there are in bad health so it’s only a matter of time.
@julzmaioro
Sorry meant to comment to each if you but run out of steam!
Thank you for lovely comments. I loved telling you about this house, it always fascinates me when I walk past it. It is gather neglected as you can see but it will be so interesting to see it rise in all its glory when eventually they move.
Another interesting fact I never knew! (Scotland and France.)
Oh my goodness - and I can hardly believe how many of the windows in this apparently large house are blocked up.
This house would look a lot more attractive if the windows were replaced...