March the 4th: Old Elvet Bridge, and reflections
Old Elvet Bridge leads onto Durham peninsula from the East, as does Kingsgate Bridge, which I have posted about previously and on which I was standing when I took this photograph. (Elvet is a name which appears often in Durham, and the name, I believe, derives from "Swan Island" in some language or another.)
Old Elvet Bridge is, as the name suggests, old - I thought it was Durham's oldest extant Wear crossing, although I haven't found a citation for that on the internet this evening - and is considerably prettier than Kingsgate Bridge. It is lethal in ice, being cobbled and sloped.
Ah! Wikipedia thinks it's called Elvet Bridge, whihc may strictly be accurate but leads to possible confusion with the modern road bridge right next to it which is commonly called New Elvet Bridge. I think! Wikipedia dates it to 1160, and thinks Framwellgate Bridge (I think I've already posted a picture of that ... but doubtless there will be more) is a little older.
In this image it is rather irritatingly dominated by the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, that big red thing with the mad green tower, which is, I think, nearly ten years old. And although I've stopped wincing every time I see the green I haven't learnt to love it, as I hoped when it was first built I might do. Having said which I certainly appreciate having a BHS in Durham, so perhaps I shouldn't complain so much!
Old Elvet Bridge is, as the name suggests, old - I thought it was Durham's oldest extant Wear crossing, although I haven't found a citation for that on the internet this evening - and is considerably prettier than Kingsgate Bridge. It is lethal in ice, being cobbled and sloped.
Ah! Wikipedia thinks it's called Elvet Bridge, whihc may strictly be accurate but leads to possible confusion with the modern road bridge right next to it which is commonly called New Elvet Bridge. I think! Wikipedia dates it to 1160, and thinks Framwellgate Bridge (I think I've already posted a picture of that ... but doubtless there will be more) is a little older.
In this image it is rather irritatingly dominated by the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, that big red thing with the mad green tower, which is, I think, nearly ten years old. And although I've stopped wincing every time I see the green I haven't learnt to love it, as I hoped when it was first built I might do. Having said which I certainly appreciate having a BHS in Durham, so perhaps I shouldn't complain so much!