Ironbridge: a short stroll after a day of heavy showers. This time last year it was under wraps. The wraps are off now – and that red paint really catches the sunshine (when the sun’s not behind the clouds) on this fine spring evening.
Tag: Ironbridge
An hour in Ironbridge
I’m trying out some new kit – an hour in Ironbridge might be worthwhile. Wow – it’s busy! Oops! – after the first few photos, I’ve accidentally set a “creative” effect which has over-cooked the colours. I’ve tried to tone them down a bit, but really they’d benefit from a bit more tinkering. It’s hardly worth the effort – I could take them again (on a quieter day…) if I wanted.
A Tale of Four Bridges
There’s a cold wind, but it should stay dry. Maybe there’s a chance of some sunshine? Not really – certainly none of the deep blue that we had between the morning’s sharp showers. Down in the valley, walking between Ironbridge and the Coalport bridge, it’s sheltered and pleasant enough. To avoid what would have been a very muddy path, we’re crossing the Severn twice more – using the Jackfield memorial footbridge and lastly, the new “Free Bridge” – that’s four metal bridges in a row, all significant in their own way.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=368630&Y=302741&A=Y&Z=120
Benthall and the bridge
It’s back! The bridge (at Ironbridge – yes, that one) has been wrapped up all year. The major refurbishment is almost complete, and apart from one small area just above the water-line, the wraps are off.
I’m taking a round-about route past Benthall Hall, walking down to the bridge from where, if I time it nicely, I’ll be getting a lift back…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366610&Y=302296&A=Y&Z=120
Ten ducks
We’re out to see the ducks again… It’s a walk down to Ironbridge and back, with a break for lunch, and a tour of the ten ducks. They’re a colourful, if temporary, addition to the local scene. There are other things to look at – there’s a Buddha, and there are people doing strange things in the river…
Duck ten
When we visited the Ironbridge ducks a couple of weeks ago, duck no 10 “Lady Victoria” was missing. She had been vandalised (there are no suitable adjectives to describe people who would do such a thing), and was away being repaired. She’s back now!
Out for a duck
Ten ducks, to be precise. These giants are on display around Ironbridge until July, as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Telford, and provide colourful compensation for the current wrapped-up state of the famous bridge. They will also help to raise funds for local good causes. Sadly, we could only snap nine of the them – the tenth is away, undergoing repair after being vandalised (there are some truly sad people around).
The names are those shown on the plinths – I didn’t devise them…
Rain, hail and snowdrops
We needed to call into the shops in Ironbridge – “We could walk down, have lunch and walk back the long way”. We did! It’s not warm, but we soon warm up, and it feels pleasant after last week’s Siberian snowfall. There’s a possibility of showers, apparently, maybe of hail or snow – and yes, there’s hail (which bounces off) and a little rain (which doesn’t). After the rain, the skies clear – to reveal more shower clouds approaching. We’d better not hang around.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=368730&Y=301831&A=Y&Z=120
Up the dale
Saturday 17 Feb: It was cold, but clearly it was sunny too – just a day later, before looking through the photos, I’d remembered the weather being dull. Memory plays tricks! We’re walking in the Ironbridge area, following mostly quiet roads away from the Wharfage, which is always busy. There’s always something to catch the eye in this part of Shropshire.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367260&Y=304311&A=Y&Z=120
Wrapped up
It’s cold this afternoon – I need a leg-stretch, but I’ll need to be well wrapped up. Perhaps the bridge at Ironbridge was cold too – it’s certainly well wrapped. I’m wondering if there might be signs of spring, but other than the bulbs coming up in the garden, the only spring I’ll see today is the ochreous flow by the iron bowl sculptures near the river bank. There’s iron in these hills – which is why the wrapped-up bridge is here…
Project Iron Bridge – English Heritage
geoffspages.blog 