River Wye from Wilton Bridge

Last week, as we walked along the River Wye with two of our young grandchildren, we climbed up on to the medieval bridge at Wilton. As we gazed downstream we all started counting and came up with the total of thirteen canoes. What we didn't spot was the two paddle boarders. What we didn't count was the Canada Geese and from the photograph I make it to be ninety three. Then there were four people enjoying the sand and shingle at the river's edge and two mute swans standing in the shallows. These two were soon joind by a third that flew from behind us, climbed to go over the bridge and narrowly missed me and my grandson. We both ducked as we felt the wind from its wings, and wondered why it didn't just fly through one of the bridge arches.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Wilton Bridge, Ross on Wye

Wilton Bridge is one of the three Grade 1 Listed structures that cross the River Wye. It was begun in 1597, completed in 1600, strengthened in 1914, widened on the north side in 1939 and restored in 1993. It comprises six rounded arches each with three flat ribs below, made of sandstone. There are cutwaters on the north (upstream side) and on the south (downstream side, seen above), the latter being splayed at the top to form angular pedestrian refuges. The central refuge features a tall sundial of 1718 with a gnomon on each face and an eroded inscription. My photograph was taken after the recent floodwaters had subsided and the only remaining evidence is the silt colouring of the bridge supports and the bankside grass and leaves.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100