Moored up in Bath we decided not to NB to Bristol harbour so we caught the train and about 18 minutes later we were at Temple Meads station. A saving on travelling time of approx., 9hrs. each way..
Our main objective was a look at and walk over the Clifton Suspension bridge.
Opened in 1860, to walk over it then try to imagine how they maneuvered such heavy materials across the gap 245feet above the gorge, it's a credit to the engineering and construction skills...
The bridge span...
702 feet across...
The support towers.....
86 feet above the deck... There is a Toll charge for vehicles...
The so called Chains that suspend the deck...
Are made of flat steel shaped and joined with bolts like chain links...They pass over roller mounted saddles on top of the towers so they can move as weight goes across the bridge deck...
The chains were originally...
On the Hungerford suspension bridge across the Thames.... That was demolished to make way for the Charing Cross rail bridge In 1860 and the chain lengths transported for use here...
Looking from the bridge...
Toward Bristol harbour and Entrance lock....
And the other way toward...
Avonmouth and the Bristol Channel...
The bridge became a infamous suicide destination so now there are netting type barriers to stop that.
There are also signs as you start the walk over the bridge that say " If you need help PH, Good Samaritans"... an 0845... No...
Well that's bloody great isn't it.. A Pay Phone number... if the charges are 1 pound a minute and you've only got 95 pence credit isn't that going to add to your desperation.....
Walked backed to the station via the harbour.. We weren't that impressed really with what was available for NB moorings...
Still I suppose if one has taken a NB to Liverpool harbour.....
There were a few old ships of various types...
Quite a nice old sailing vessel...
3 masts to carry plenty of sail...
Spent 3 nights in Bath then headed back toward London...
Crossed over the....
Dundas Aqueduct... 1804.. Legendary as it crosses both the river Avon and a railway at the same time....
Developed a lot of leaks so had to be lined with polythene and concrete to repair the trough....
Did you see the historic SS Great Britain in Bristol? Well worth a tour through this ship.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing we did during our Bristol visit was a Guide Friday type tourist bus tour - took us right up to the top of the city where there is a plateau full of posh houses.
The Clifton Suspension bridge is certainly amazing, the main reason we wanted to go to this city.