Late afternoon at the Monnow Bridge

The fortified gatehouse on the medieval bridge over the River Monnow at Monmouth is a subject I look at each time we visit the Welsh town. However, on a recent afternoon the details of the tower and archways were subdued as we walked towards the brightness of the descending sun. And, as is often the way in winter, the silhouette, shadows and the attendant colours, people and birds became key subjects in the photograph. 

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Old concrete bridge and house, Axmouth

The nondescript bridge that spans the River Axe before it enters the sea at Axmouth in Devon is the earliest bridge made of mass concrete ("Historically, in Britain, mass concrete (is) designated early concrete with no reinforcement cast in situ using shuttering. It was used mainly between 1850 and 1900 on a variety of buildings, mainly as a walling material"- Wikipedia). The bridge was designed by Philip Brannon and built in 1877. It continues in use by pedestrians today but no longer carries motor vehicles. 

 Nearby is a small, rendered, single storey former toll house, also built by Brannon in mass concrete in 1877. It has an unusual tarred, arched roof and bracketed canopy. It is the oldest surviving concrete house in Britain and appears to be still inhabited today.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Monnow Bridge gatehouse, Monmouth

Over the years I've taken several photographs of the Monnow bridge gatehouse in Monmouth. It is one of ony two remaining medieval fortified bridges in Britain and has been the subject of artists down the centuries. On a recent visit, as we passed over the bridge, I took this quick snap, prompted by the cloud of feral pigeons swirling around the roof of the gatehouse. There are usually pigeons to be seen on the building and I'm sure many use it as a nest site. They contributed something vital and transient to this view of the bridge and prompted me to ignore the view I usually choose (see here and here).

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Underneath the M50

The M50 is a short, two-lane (in each direction) motorway that stretches from its junction with the M5 to its junction with the A40 trunk road near Ross on Wye. Recently we had a short walk to look at a pair of former gravel pits, now a nature reserve, next to the River Severn where it passes under the M50. The road goes over the river on a steel bridge that is reached on each side by a viaduct on concrete supports.

Photographically speaking this man-made structure was considerably more interesting than the man-made reserve and so I took a few photographs of it. The out-of-camera shots looked as though they would convert well to black and white and I think they have.

 

This exercise made me realise that I didn't do many black and whites in 2021 so I've made a mental note to do so this year.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Usk Bridge, Abergavenny

The seven-arched bridge over the River Usk at Abergavenny is of medieval origin and has the the benefit of protection afforded by Listed status. The downstream arches and piers featured in the photograph date from the 1400s. On the upstream side a tramroad bridge of 1811 and further roadway and parapets of c.1868 were amalgamated with the old structure to make a bigger bridge.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100

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

Old Wye Bridge, Chepstow

The River Wye, at 134 miles, is Britain's fifth longest river. Between its source on Plynlimon in mid-Wales, to its confluence with the River Severn near Chepstow, it is bridged at 55 points. Three of these bridges are Grade 1 Listed, including the Old Wye Bridge near Chepstow Castle. This elegant work in cast iron on stone piers dates from 1814-16 and is the work of John Rastrick of Bridgnorth who modified original designs by John Rennie. It forms one of the road links between England and Wales bridging the Wye where the tidal range is one of the highest in the world.


photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Bigsweir bridge

The bridge over the River Wye forms the connection at that point between England and Wales. It was built in 1826-9 to a design by Charles Hollis of London and constructed of cast iron and sandstone, the casting having been done at Merthyr Tydfil. The main span is 55 yards (50m). For today's traffic it is a single track bridge, the crossings being controlled by lights. It was originally a toll bridge and the toll house can just be seen on the Welsh side (left in the photograph).

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

River Wye near Bigsweir Bridge

One of the photographic pleasures of the cooler seasons is fog and mist, phenomena that can transform views adding a chill note of mystery to otherwise pleasant prospects. The photograph above was taken from Bigsweir Bridge on the River Wye during a journey to Chepstow. The forecasters would have described the morning as "improving". However, for this photographer I'd have liked the mist to linger longer.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Potential not realised

Sometimes you can see a photograph but the circumstances of that instant prevent you from realising the potential of the shot. This view of the River Wye, the medieval bridge and Hereford Cathedral, is one that I have attempted to capture before. But on that occasion, as was the case when I took this shot, all the stars were not aligned. To properly succeed this photograph requires the sun to be in a different position so that the bridge and the cathedral are better modelled by shadows. One day I'll be in the city when that is the case. However, the sky, the water and the trees were working hard for me so I'm not completely dissatisfied by the shot.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX10

Monnow Bridge, Monmouth

I posted a photograph of this fortified bridge in May, and on a recent shopping expedition to Monmouth I took another shot in the colder, harder light of November. The gathering of gulls, swans and ducks also added something to the shot. However, in my mind, as far as birds go, this image is a missed opportunity because, seconds after I pressed the shutter, a pair of kingfishers, iridescent blue and jewel-like in the low sun flashed from right to left and disappeared under the nearest arch, heading upstream!

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100

Medieval fortified bridge, Monmouth

The medieval bridge over the River Monnow in Monmouth, Wales, is one of only two remaining examples in Britain that is fortified (the other is at Warkworth, Northumberland). It links parts of the town at a point about 500 metres above the Monnow's confluence with the River Wye. Building began in 1272 to replace a timber bridge. It remains in use today as a pedestrian bridge and in the intervening years it has been used as a toll gate, gaol, munitions store, lodge and support for advertising hoardings! It was a subject much loved by seventeenth and eighteenth century artists and notable works depicting it were produced by Turner and Cotman.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100

The River Hull

The city of Kingston upon Hull (usually abbreviated to Hull) grew up on the banks of the River Hull at the point where it flows into the River Humber. The River Hull is tidal and, flowing through the city, it is bridged at many points. Most of the bridges can be raised or swung to allow the passage of ships, as is the case with the one in the photograph with its control tower. The river's long commercial use has resulted in many structures built along its banks, some of which, though mundane, can provide useful foreground interest.The large structure spanning the river is a tidal barrier with its gate in the raised position.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10