Corrugated-iron toadstools? Thanks?

Question

Hi, I am from Taiwan and I am reading Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden. I don't quite understand a sentence. Would you native speakers please help?

[They sped along Logan Road with the windows down and Lesley singing along to the radio-the new ABBA song that was always on Countdown. After crossing the Brisbane river they bypassed the center of town and drove through Paddington with its corrugated-iron toadstools cut into the hills. Off Latrobe Terrace, down a steep slope and midway along a narrow street was Nell's place.]

The novel is set in Cornwall, UK. I don't know what do corrugated-iron toadstools mean here? Please explain. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

"Corrugated-iron" means "rusted", which is what happens when iron is exposed to water for a long time; it turns red and brittle (basically "rust").

"Toadstools" are "mushrooms".

I think it means that there are rust-colored (flat) mushrooms growing on the side of the hills. Other than that, I don't think it has any other meaning.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

The Paddington countryside is reflective of the heavy industry in the area.  If you look at the attached picture you will understand the analogy...

http://daviding.com/blog/wp-content/uplo...