The house built of ballast (One Street)

I walked about half a mile this morning. It was a beautiful sunny day with lots of signs of Spring around the village. So good to be out and walking, albeit slowly.

This is Mrs N of Humshaugh House. It's an 18th Century house built on the site of a previous farmhouse. The small bricks used in its construction are interesting. At the time, coal was being exported from the north-east coast to the Low Countries. The ships returned with ballast of bricks in their holds. The bricks were tipped on the coast as rubbish but then used for house building. This house is the westernmost recorded one to use the bricks, which were transported by horse and cart. Beyond here, the distance made it uneconomic to use the bricks.

The house was gutted by fire years ago so has a modern interior. The bricks appear to have withstood the heat well.

Mrs N was gardening as I walked past and kindly agreed to have her photo taken.

I've been very good today. I even rested and read the Observer!