Backroads Season Begins….

Abandoned in Muskoka © 2009 Michelle Basic Hendry

On Sunday, I went for a drive. My sinuses were beginning to clear (finally!!) and the day had been beautiful. I figured it was the last time I would be able to see the old Uffington Church standing, so I visited. I ended up with a great deal of insight into how this old building was constructed when the lath and plaster were removed. It is no wonder the building was so soundproof!

The structure was post and beam supporting a frame that was fully planked before it was sided on the outside and plastered on the inside. The space between the walls was nearly 8″ wide! I didn’t feel right taking pictures – it would have been too much like an autopsy for me.

When Jake from the Muskokan was here and we were discussing the painting, we both noted the ‘tea-stained’ colour of the walls in the painting and in photos shot by myself and Bev McMullen last year. When the amber windows were removed from the building, it became clear that the walls were pure white. Amazing!

Small Church in Muskoka © 2009 Michelle Basic Hendry

After leaving Uffington, I decided to go a little further afield and see what else I could find. The derelict house at the top of this post is not a new one to me, but it’s the first time I could see so much of it because there was no overgrowth to cover it! In spite of obviously having been abandoned many years ago, this old place remarkably solid. This particular community is very protective of its buildings and has one of the most adorable little churches I have ever seen. It is so small, it is almost like a doll house. This little church was rallied around and protected by residents and now has summer services. Wonderful!

Small Church in Muskoka (shot through a window) © 2009 Michelle Basic Hendry

This last one was a bit of a mystery to me. It could have been a school, a community hall or any number of things. I am going to have to go and find out….

Building in Muskoka © 2009 Michelle Basic Hendry