Advent windows #2

Saltaire's Advent Windows #2

Tonight's window depicts a very familiar scene from our village itself: the famous cobbled street known as Albert Terrace (after Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort), one of the oldest areas of the village, completed in 1854. It runs along the northern boundary of the residential area, parallel to the railway line. At the far end you can see the tall chimney of Salts Mill's boilerhouse. It looks like it might be snowing... lots of people long for a white Christmas (not me!) The couple look well wrapped up against the winter chill. And it wouldn't be Saltaire without a cat, would it? 

These days it also wouldn't be Saltaire without a car (or fifty!). The lone red car in the picture would, in real life, be joined by many more. Given how narrow our streets are, the parked cars do make it quite difficult sometimes to get a good photo of each illuminated window. I've have, however, learned that sometimes incorporating the cars into my photos makes for an interesting effect, as they reflect the lights for added value.

I always think it's particularly generous of the folks who live in the smaller terraced houses to host an Advent Window. It usually means their sitting room window is blocked and has no view of the outside world for much of the month. Given that they usually only have one window at the front and back downstairs, it must feel a bit claustrophobic.