Tuesday 24 April 2012

ABC Wednesday and O is for Opportunity

ABC Wednesday and O is for Opportunity - Photo Opportunity! - yes it is that time again the monthly photo shoot at the local camera club - subject -industrial architecture - a bit of a tricky one - two pics required one for OH and one for self - a bit of healthy competition here -leading to a bit of cloak and dagger action - not by me of course!! Difficult subject - off we went to Ironbridge - surely something to be found there - being the heart of the Industrial Revolution and all that - the weather was a bit inclement - so brollies were the order of the day and at the ready - not ideal - but there were shots just begging to be taken- here are a few of mine.
Ironbridge is so picturesque - the River Severn moves slowly through today - but can be a raging torrent here leading to severe flooding
The bridge was the first of its kind fabricated from cast ironand was the symbol of the dawn of the industrial age
Construction began in 1779 and the bridge opened on New Years Day 1781 - It was built by Abraham Darby - the grandson of the first Abraham Darby -( I think I have got my facts right - I have checked it out in my History of Shropshire book)
Just could not resist this last shot of the river
Moving down to the lower part of the town - the cooling towers from the Power Station dwarf the tiny houses of Ironbridge - OH remembers (before "Elf and Safety Rules were so strict ) being winched up on an open lift to the dizzy heights to do work on the structure!)- this is his shot today of memories and times gone by !!
One final dash out on the night before - to Chirk Aquaduct and Viaduct - and more shots gained - beautiful countryside - this construction and mammoth task was completed in 1806 by Thomas Telford
Colourful canal boats cross the Aquaduct and move on gracefully down the Llangollen Canal So off home to encourage a reluctant printer to produce outstanding prints for the next night!! Did we win? Ah well no but (Dah Dah ) I had third - see my pic in my header - why not pop over to ABC Wednesday and see what others have posted - I am also linking to Our World Tuesday - Thankyou for visiting

35 comments:

  1. Very nice shots....
    The bridge is a magnificent building,
    architecture past years ....
    Greetings Karin.

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    1. Yes Karin - he truly left a legacy - thanks for visiting my blog - Jane

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  2. The bridge is a handsome structure. And I love how it arches over the river.

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    1. Yes - there is so much to see in the Ironbridge area EG - great for taking pics !- Jane

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  3. It's strange really, but I have never actually seen that bridge. I have been 'through' Shropshire many, many times, (even 'round the Wrekin'), but I've never found time to stop anywhere. :(
    I've been invited to an Organ 'do' at a place called 'Bliss Hill Victorian Town' I think it is near Telford? A bit too far (a round trip) for me these days. Getting old :(
    When I was a lad I don't remember a town called Telford. We used to cycle out from Bournville to Shifnal and Wellington and then on to Shrewsbury.
    I expect it is all different now?
    Lovely photographs Jane,
    Cheers......Bernard.

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    1. You should come over our neck of the woods. You could stay in a little B&B overnight :-)

      Those little towns/villages you mention merged to become Telford New Town...

      If you look closely some of them still retain their own character.

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    2. Yes Bernard you should pay a visit and relive old times - do they hold that organ event every year - Blists Hill Victorian Town is a one off - mind you I have never been to the Black Country Museum and I believe that is just as interesting -take care - love to Wesley - Jane

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  4. Congratulations on your win. Lovely photos of a very picturesque place.
    That is a great bridge to photograph.

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    1. Thankyou - it is only a very small camera club - approx 20-25 members but it is fun!

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  5. Two cooling towers were demolished on Sunday - at a local ICI plant - Wilton. They have been part of the landscape for many years - certainly as far back as I can remember. It was strange on Monday without them, yet I am sure when they were built there was objections. Funny how things change - industry must maintain its place don't you think?

    Thanks so much
    Denise ABC Team

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    1. Yes but we have to think of the environment and the blot on the landscape so to speak - we have a wind turbine issue round here at the moment which is causing a lot of friction

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  6. Ah fond fond memories, we used to drive through Ironbridge on the way to my Gran's. Lovely photos Jane.

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    1. It is an interesting area Posie and good for photos - where did your gran live -

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  7. Well done! I love the cooling tower pic and the barge picture....I have a thing about barges!!
    Jane x

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    1. Yes I like barges but I have never been on the canals - perhaps something to try out one of these days

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  8. Love the photo of Ironbridge and the reflection in the water. You've been busy bees xx

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    1. Yes Molly - of course all at the last minute as usual!!

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  9. I have been meaning to get around to taking photos of the Ironbridge and the cooling towers for my Architecture theme.

    I love the reflections you have captured in the severn :-)

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    1. It is a good area - but you need a good day - it was a bit showery and overcast when we went - so a lot of shots turned out rubbish

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  10. Abraham Darby, - my favourite rose. So pleased to read the history and see the photographs of the Ironbridge. Lovely - as is the Rose.

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  11. I esp liked the bridge closeup!
    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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    1. Thanks Roger - the metal work is superb and makes for a good shot

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  12. That's a narrow canal. Are there places where boats can pass if they are heading in opposite directions? - Margy

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    1. Yes it is one way traffic across the aquaduct

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  13. Oh that bridge in your header is out of this world. I don't think I've ever seen this before. Great O for photo opportunity!!!
    Ann

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    1. Yes Ann - it is quite breathtaking to stand under and of course you can walk across it - the other week I believe there was Morris dancing on the bridge

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  14. Love the captures of the bridge.

    O is for....
    Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

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  15. awesome pics... and structure of course ^.^

    dropping for ABC Wednesday

    http://dickvincedorry.blogspot.com/2012/04/o-is-for-officemates.html

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    1. When you are up close to the bridge you realise how fantastic it is - so well worth a visit

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  16. Wow, that first bridge does not look that old ata all! I love iron anyway! Great capture:)

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    1. I love metalwork - my OH is into that sort of thing so I suppose it has brushed off onto me - so to speak!!

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  17. Loved these photos, especially the photo at top, as well as the close-up of the bridge—it has an "O" on it!

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  18. Hello Arthur - I was lucky that day to get anything half decent - the weather was not good and towards the end of the day we were drenched

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