Looking back to a time when it wasn't raining....sigh!.... this is Barden Bridge - across the River Wharfe up in the Yorkshire Dales. It's my entry for the Sunday Bridges theme hosted by Louis La Vache. It amazes me just how many variations there are on the simple idea of a bridge. After all, they all have the one purpose: to get from one side of an obstacle to another - and yet the ways mankind has dreamed up to do that are myriad. This is a good solid stone bridge, but it has a narrow roadway - designed I think for the days before cars were common. It has little niches for pedestrians to step out of the way of vehicles.
Barden Bridge is on the Bolton Abbey Estate, adjacent to the ruin of the sixteenth century hunting lodge known as Barden Tower.
It is a lovely bridge and seems built to last.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful stone bridge. Very sturdy :)
ReplyDeleteI prefer to think of those as niches for photographers...
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to understand the importance of this bridge, when you see the effort that went into its construction.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your note about bridges and the variety that there are. This really is one of my favorite memes, even though there aren't a lot of players, over the months it's just amazing how many designs and styles of bridges there are. I trust this note finds you well, jennyfreckles. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, forgot to tell you I like your stone bridge! It's too late for me already... pillow time...
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice, scenic bridge. It looks like it would provide a good healthy walk around that area.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful bridge! Please send the rain to us. We need it! I'll send the sun to you. Should be a fair swap, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteSigh, I'd love to see the English countryside.
ReplyDeleteThat certainly looks like a bridge that's built to last!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bridge. Beautiful photo. Jim
ReplyDeleteI can easily imagine Jane Austen strolling there..
ReplyDeleteI find bridges with more than one arch interesting to view. In my mind I can see Knights of old riding across the bridge with armor and banners flying. Maybe I have seen too many Hollywood movies. Thanks for the great photo.
ReplyDeleteOne of the relatively few decisions made when they established the Single European Currency was the decision to feature on the reverse of each banknote the drawing of a bridge - a bridge being the symbol of unity and friendship.
ReplyDeleteI love the beautiful bridges of Yorkshire!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful English scene! Nice.
ReplyDeleteThese lovely old bridges look like they have grown from the earth. I have been browsing through your blog, trying to catch up after 5 weeks away. I like the new look and Saturday Story was fun. Your photos just get better and better.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty!
ReplyDeleteFrom E. Jervoice's The Ancient bridges of the North of England
ReplyDelete"Close to Barden tower the Wharfe is crossed by a stone bridge with three segmental arches having a total span of 55 yards. The width between the parapets is slightly less than 10 feet, but the recesses over the massive cut-waters provide refuges for foot-passengers. Part of this bridge was build before the middle of the seventeenth century as the Session Records for the year 1659 ordered the 'greate summe of £300' to be spent on the bridge as it was 'not knowne who ought to repaire itt.' In September 1673, according to the parish registers of Otley, the bridge was 'overturned by a wonderful inundation of waters in the northern parts' and its repairs 'at the charge of the whole West Riding 1676' are recorded on a stone in the parapet of the bridge."
This bridge, and this area was on one of my cycling routes from Skipton, when I grew up there in the 1950's and 60's
Keith - that's really interesting, thank you. It's wonderfully old then - and yet doesn't necessarily look it, does it?
ReplyDeleteThat is one gorgeous bridge! ~Lili
ReplyDelete