Sunday Bridges - Under the Bridge

The late after noon sun capturing a canal boat passing under the bridge.

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Sunday Bridges - The Original London Bridge

The London Bridge before the fire was wooden with lots of shops and houses on it. A retired policeman spent years building this replica. Truly a labour of love.
You'll be wanting to know where to find wont you?
Inside the church of St Magnus the Martyr at London Bridge. It will move at some point to London Museum. If you go and see it make sure that you look carefully at all the people on the bridge, for amongst the people of the period you will see a 20th century policeman.
None other than the creator of this superb work.

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Sunday Bridges - Stroll across Sothwark

Currently receiving a new coat of paint. Southwark Bridge is next up river from London Bridge (rail).

Best news today - My suitcase has finally turned up. Lost by the airlines on 23 December! I do hope the man I chatted to at the airport has found his. His went astray on 18 December.

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Sunday Bridges - Observing from Camden

Standing taking in the view from the bridge in Camden that crosses the canal.

Taking in the view, a cigarette and a cup of coffee. All will be denied to future generations.

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Sunday Bridges - Crisp Morning

A chilly morning crossing London Bridge

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Sunday Bridges - Ancient Rites

An ancient right dating back to the middle ages allowing the freemen of London city to drive sheep over London Bridge free of charge was exercised by the Lime Street Ward Club in aid of the Red Cross on Saturday. All freemen were invited to the special event where this special breed of sheep "stufftus onwheelera lifesizium" crossed the bridge finishing with a race at twightlight. In addition to the fastest sheep awards were also given to best of breed and the highly coveted black sheep award.

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Sunday Bridges - Lines

Stripes, lines and shadows.

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Sunday Bridges - A tropical garden

London has so many wonderful treasures tucked away and not widely known. Yesterday I discovered this fabulous tropical garden, with more then 2,000 species of plants, exotic fish, turtles and birds right in the middle of the city.
Where? The Barbican.
The Barbican is the largest performing arts centre in Europe, slap bang in the middle of an estate. Music, theatre, art galleries, movie theatres, restaurants and this conservatory.
Also home to the London symphony orchestra and the BBC symphony orchestra.

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Sunday Bridges - Fabric

I'm back under bridges again. Walking under the railway bridge leading to the clothing market near Portobello Rd.

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Sunday Bridges - Beneath Waterloo

A view this time from under a bridge. I think the giant coloured barcode has just appeared. Certainly I have only just noticed it.

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Sunday Bridges - Birds Eye View of Westminster

A view of Westminster Bridge from Hungerford Bridge.

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Sunday Bridges - Dove on the Canal

Detail on the York Way bridge over Regents Canal.

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Sunday Bridges - Blackfriars Rail

Part of the original Blackfriars rail bridge that opened in 1864. The structure became too weak to support modern trains so another bridge was built alongside.

This is undergoing major works for the new Thames link due to open next year.

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Sunday Bridges - Southwark Bridge

Southwark Bridge has the longest iron span ever made 240 ft (73 mtrs).

Also gets a mention in a couple of Charles Dickens books, Little Dorrit and Our Mutual Friend.

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Sunday Bridges - Holborn Viaduct

Opened in 1869, the Holborn Viaduct enabled access between Holborn and the City of London across the Fleet Valley avoiding the steep hills.
Now crossing a major road (the A40) it is in fact a subterranean river. The Fleet was a major river in Roman times. In Anglo-Saxon times the wells along its banks were reputed to have healing qualities.
However as London grew it became more of an open sewer until eventually covered over.
There are still one or two spots where the river can be heard flowing beneath the streets. There is some talk of opening short sections of it for ornamental purposes.

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Sunday Bridges - 3 for 1

You get not one but three bridges this week. In the foreground you can see the work taking place at Black Friars, scheduled for completion late 2011. Looking up the Thames you can see Waterloo Bridge (the ugly one) the the Jubilee pedestrian bridge (the pretty one).

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Sunday Bridges - Albert's R & R

Albert on holiday? Well sort of. The Albert Bridge built in the 1850's, a hybrid of a cable stayed and suspension, the bridge is closed for 18 months for a bit of a make over.
A grade II-listed (that means it's a bit important) it is in need of structural work to meet the demands of modern traffic. Even back in its original days it wasn't really strong enough for heavy traffic.
One of only two road bridges over the Thames that has never been replaced.

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Sunday Bridges - Stroll over Westminster

Westminster Bridge, the oldest in London, with its Gothic arches was opened in 1862. At the time it was badly needed to help relieve the badly congested routes of the Strand and Oxford Streets from London Bridge.

The green paint work of the bridge is the same colour as the leather seats in the house of commons.

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Sunday Bridges - Wibbly Wobbly

A view from beneath the millennium bridge. Looking at it from this angle reminds me of how it twisted in the Harry Potter movie.

The pedestrian bridge crossing the Thames between the Tate Modern and St Paul's was built for the millennium but closed almost immediately for modifications to its unstable movement. It was quickly nicknamed the wibbly wobbly bridge which has stuck and continues to be refereed to by locals.

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