A TALE OF THREE BRIDGES (28/10/10)

We are back in Stockton on Tees if you would like to see a map click HERE. The site is jam packed full so we can only stay a couple of nights…….every cloud has a silver lining. I will return when the children are back at school. Portrack nature reserve is next door. There did not seem to be much about this morning but we will have another look when it's quieter.

I went out as it was getting light to shoot traffic trails of the vehicles crossing the river Tees on the A19 bridge. Not a great success as the bridge is a bit too far away. Still I’ll share what I got.

  Portrack Marsh in the foreground the A19 road bridge and somewhere on the horizon the most distinctive hill for miles. It also has a grand name Roseberry Topping………sounds  like a brand of instant blancmange.

  Middlesbrough by night. There is beauty everywhere. There is also plenty of frost

    The structure breaking the horizon is Middlesbrough Newport Bridge built in 1911 and it used to carry the railway I believe…maybe it still does, it’s a lifting bridge and it is down every time I see it.

We came back in only slightly delayed by the dogs creeping off rabbiting whilst I was concentrating on focus and exposure. Little devils, took me twenty minutes to locate them. Amazing how quiet they can be when it suits. What’s more they failed in their quest so I had to feed them when we got back……….more expense!

I think I may have a serious illness, known only to half the population………..Man Flu, well I have a headache and with a little effort managed a couple of sneezes and I’m sure with a bit more concentration I could rustle up a runny nose. I’m being brave. We set out on an exploratory stroll to the Infinity Bridge, just above the Tees Barrage. It’s a nightmare at the moment as they are rebuilding the slalom canoe course. Why? For the 2012 Olympics…….thought they were in London? Oh well! I am sure it will be nice when finished.

   Some bridge, at night it is illuminated and casts a reflection in the river. it looks like a lemniscate or infinity sign or a figure of 8 flipped ninety degrees. This was not commissioned to commemorate anything but purely to stop folk getting their feet wet crossing the river. I like that.

    I also like the bridge, it’s a bit of whimsy, it supposedly connects a Durham university campus with a technology park. They have not got round to the technology park bit. Not to worry it saves wear and tear on the bridge and one day they will.

I was going out again this evening to shoot it in all it’s glory but it is blowing half a gale and rain is forecast so it will have to await another day.

No idea where we will be tomorrow. You, like I will have to see.