Friday, 1 April 2016

To map, or not to map...


Sunset from Castlette DeVice's doorstep.
Nothing to do with this post - I just like the
colours and needed a header image.
 I've realised lately that this blog is leaning towards becoming some sort of walkies blog, much like the dear departed Spike's: This Isn't Sydney (he's definitely departed from blogging, and the consensus is that he's departed this mortal realm as well). This isn't intentional, it's just easier to slap up some photos than actually sit down and write something of substance!
 However, I'm not going to let the walking take over. Besides, it'll be getting warm soon, then I certainly won't be intentionally walking anywhere and getting hot and bothered as a result. But before the walking bits dry up (until Autumn/Winter, I expect), I'm toying with the idea of constructing some sort of map to show where I've been (as inspired by Spike's various maps, and Hound's recent psychogeographical map). I've had a couple of goes at it so far, but don't really know where I'm going with them as I'm not quite sure what I want them to show.
 Anyway, here they are (and I'll warn you now: the first one is absolutely enormous, so you might have to open it in a new window or something so you can magnify it):

If you clicked it: See! I told you it was big!
 This colossal map is based on the basic Ordnance Survey map. I was going for different coloured dots to show the different walks I've undertaken. As it's a work in progress, I haven't added any colour scale/chart/key yet. However, the more dots I added, the more out-of-hand it seemed to get, and then I wondered just what the Hells I wanted it to show. It's so big to ensure that all the place names show up (especially for Hound so he can see that I didn't pluck them from Cold Comfort Farm, and that they really exist).


No, I didn't fly Broom high enough to take this photo - I'm not bloody stupid!

 This one is much more managable. It's based on Googlemaps' satellite view hence all the lovely green. However, because of that, I couldn't decide what colour/s to mark out my walks, so I just went for plain old white.

 I quite like having a map to show where I've been, but as I mentioned before, I'm not exactly sure what I want them to show. I've toyed with the idea of adding some sort of marker everytime I've taken a photo so you can see where it was taken, but that seems like a logistical nightmare now. I've also thought about having an individual map for each walk (in which I can show where photos were taken), which might be easier? As I can't really decide, I'm going to turn it over to you.

 What would you like to see? What would make it easier for you to work out what's what, and which way I went? More importantly, do you even care? 

 Answers, suggestions, derision, and complete tangents in the comments, please!
  

19 comments:

  1. Ah ha, now that is a classic psychogeography map. Sometimes where you haven't walked is as interesting as where you have, don't you think? And im

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  2. Whoops. I'm sure from a witchy point of view there is a reason for why you find yourself going certain ways and not others.
    Of course not everyone will get it, I mean my own trip to have a chat with a dead prostitute last night was hampered by a live one who seemed to think I was looking for It.
    Although why is it virtually every place name up your end (as we Brummies say) can be interpreted as a camp double entendre?

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    1. Ah. There you are!

      I did start to think about where I'm not walking. For obvious reasons, going North is out of the question, but I don't quite know why I haven't ventured West? I shall give it some more thought. Although, possibly because the place names West are not open to such interpretation!

      Did the live prostitute know the dead one, or is the dead one long dead? And did you reach the dead one in the end?

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    2. Oh the dead one was strangled at least a century ago and still has loads of anger.
      I did get an urge to take the live one for a nosh up at the chippie: she can't be that successful if she thinks she has anything I'm interested in!

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    3. What is this 'going North' of which you speak?
      Sx

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    4. Hound: I'm not surprised about the dead one's anger issues. As for the live one, that's a lovely thought, but you just know you'd be put off your chips by her performance with a battered sausage.

      Ms Scarlet: I nearly wrote "'oop North", but I didn't want to offend your delicate sensibilities...

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  3. I personally enjoy the Walkies posts very much. The photos and accompanying commentary give a nice sense of the lovely place in which you live.

    Map or No Map as you wish.

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    1. I think, in the end, this is going to boil down to whether or not I can bother! I'm glad you enjoy the walks, LẌ.

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  4. Ditto what LX said. The pics are awesome portrayals of the fantastic character & culture of the region. All three map options sound good. Go with your instinct & do what's most enjoyable. Or you don't have to do one at all. But I did get a kick out of finding Frogshall & Shrieking Pits in the first map.

    The pics & posts make for wonderful online travel brochures on the points of interest & fascinating finds of the region. The sights & wildlife & nature & architecture shots are awesome. Seeing all those cows, sheep, & deer make me quite impressed that there're so many beautiful (& delicious) animals (meat!) thriving & wandering about. It must be quite an amazing sight to see those animals out & about, like being at a zoo or nature preserve (or the meat section at the supermarket). I can only imagine (& salivate) at the thought of all the delectable dishes the region makes out of all those lively, lovely (yummy) animals. And how wonderful it must be to enjoy such tasty dishes while gazing at that stunning, splendid sunset.

    Keep up the Walkies posts. It's like we're getting to go on a travel adventure online, & you're our tour guide!

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    1. Thanks, Eros! I'm happy your perusal of the maps was successful. As for the wildlife/sustenance, have you not had breakfast yet?! Here, this might help.

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  5. I'm only here for the Aidan Turner.
    Sx

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  6. This is a huge fib of course!!! Charmaine made me write the previous comment... she promised to scrub my grouting if I did.
    I apologise.
    Sx

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    1. I don't blame you for it. I'd say all sorts if someone promised to scrub my grouting!

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  7. If only Aidan would see to my grouting, after all he is dressed for the occasion.
    Sx

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    1. Wouldn't that be something - A barely-clad Aidan filling up your gaps!

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  8. That's a lot of walking my friend, and doesn't one usually have to do more then click it to get it big?

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    1. Usually, yes, but I'm just so excited about all these contours and rights-of-way and strips!

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Tickle my fancy, why don't you?