One of my favourite blog discoveries of last year was Norm Frampton’s Thursday Door challenge – there is just something so intriguing about a good door, all the mystery and possibilities concealed behind them. Finding suitable subjects to submit for this weekly event has become such a part of my blogging routine that I find I’ve really missed it these last few weeks when lack of time has prevented me from participating. So as the new year is already well underway and I still haven’t had the opportunity to get out and about on a door hunting trip, I thought I’d better begin with an example closer to home, not a door exactly but a typical traditional entrance gateway of the local area.
This “porche”, as it is known in French, was built from local cut limestone back in the early 19th century and is lucky to be still standing. A former owner of the property had the wonderful idea back in the 1960’s of knocking it down so that he could get his combine harvester through it and into the courtyard – hhhmmm. Happily for us, the mayor at the time suggested he might like to think again and the plan was reluctantly abandoned…………
Thanks as always to Norm for hosting this excellent challenge. Please click on the links to view more contributions.
ALL PHOTOS © JANE MORLEY
If you enjoy the photos on my blog please do visit my brand new website http://www.janemorley.photography where you will find many more photos and also http://www.theartcardpress.com for a host of greeting cards and photographic prints and even www.galeriedelamaison.com where you can sneak a peek at our boutique and tearoom!
View from a French Hillside 
Completely lovely! ღ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is wonderful – and thank you for the kind words too. Welcome back 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Norm! Glad to be able to participate again, it’ll give me an excuse to get the camera out and about again! My best – belated – new year wishes to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love ALL the doors– and the ornate, scrolling iron… beautiful– I WISH we had places like this where I live … but I have Disney… does that count??! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
HaHa! I’m sure Disneyland/world must have some splendid doors, all those castles and cottages in the woods?!! 😀
LikeLike
I love those archways.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jean!
LikeLike
I just love your door posts and extras. The photo of the view through the metal, curled gate decor looking onto a blurred background with a turret in the distance is wonderful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Olga, I really appreciate your comments!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully elegant, Jane. Great to see you back.
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Janet! It’s true I’ve missed it! Really need to get out and find some new doors now, good excuse to disappear off with the camera for a morning!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful choice as always, Jane! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks Grace!
LikeLike
Love the detail photo with a tower in the background.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Beautywhizz! That’s a pigeon tower – ‘pigeonnier’- that you see a lot on the old country houses round here, used to be a way of showing off your status and wealth! This one is now an occasional home to a barn owl and a family of kestrels!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like that name pigeonnier!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s my kind of porche! Thank heaven for that 1960s mayor. It doesn’t bear thinking about had the farmer had his way. Happy weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Sarah – glad you like it and yes at least sometimes the village mayor can come in handy! Have a lovely weekend yourself, hope it’s not cold there – it’s suddenly gone all a bit minus here bbbrrrrr!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has been cold but it’s rather mild at the moment, thank heaven.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m wrapped up in woolies and thick socks and heading for the wood burner!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Handsome architecture. It’s good that someone rethought taking it down. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely Judy – France can be a strange place when it comes to protecting their heritage!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What beautiful photos! Love the story. I agree that doors are very symbolic and are often more fun when you don’t know what’s behind them and the possibilities are endless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Phil!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great door in that stone wall. The wall is impresive too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Dan, yes I think you’d be impressed with the workmanship, the wall is part of a very long barn all built from lumps of limestone found in the fields – they certainly knew how to build in those days!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m always amazed by structures like this. They knew what they needed, used what they had and it has lasted forever.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely Dan! I’m sure the same will not be true for most modern building!
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are great Jane, and I too love a good door – you never know what is behind it until you open it. That is the mystery. BTW, just been looking at your website – your photos are superb (as is the site) 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi James, glad you like these and I’m really delighted that you like my website, your comments are much appreciated! Hope you’re having a good start to your year and not too affected by all the terrible weather we keep hearing about? 🙂
LikeLike