Black and White weekly photo challenge : Bridges

A romantic view of Durham

A romantic view of Durham

Durham is a city of many bridges.  The River Wear threads its way backwards and forwards between the historic houses, and it’s quite hard NOT to take a photo of a bridge or two.

Here we have two bridges for the price of one. Agree?

Here we have two bridges for the price of one. Agree?

County Durham is known as the Land of the Prince Bishops and gets a small mention in the Wikipedia link.  The “Prince Bishop” river cruiser has been tootling up and down a short stretch of this river for as long as I can remember.

Under the road bridge, looking back at the Cathedral.

Under the road bridge, looking back at “Prince Bishop” and the Cathedral.

I rarely visit Durham without strolling along the riverside path.  The bustle of the Market Square and always busy Cathedral seem a world away.

This is the classic view, seen on numerous postcards.

This is the classic view, seen on numerous postcards.

The river has paths on both banks for some of its passage through the city, so you can meander like the river, and choose which bridge you want to cross.

Milburngate Bridge with castle and cathedral above.

Milburngate Bridge with castle and cathedral above.

Some years the weir is filled to the brim.  Sadly, this year, erosion has affected the riverbanks in a few places.  Part of our constant battle with nature.

There are always rowing boats tethered by Framwellgate Bridge.

There are always rowing boats tethered by Framwellgate Bridge.

Durham has a famous university, and for much of the year students can be seen sculling rapidly along the water’s surface.  In June the regatta gives them the chance to show off their skills, and it’s a fun day out.

I’m normally very much a Summer person, but there is one event that takes place in Durham every second November that I hate to miss.  During “Lumiere” many of the bridges are spectacularly lit.  You can see this in full colour in my recent post Water under the bridge, but for this challenge I have to stick with black and white.

Trying to find the best vantage point to take the shot.

Trying to find the best vantage point to take the shot.

How about this one?

How about this one?

So that’s my take on Sonel’s Black and White photo challenge this week.  I hope you enjoyed wandering the riverbanks of Durham with me.  Let’s do it in colour another time, shall we?

I’m off to check out the other entries to the challenge.  Sonel has given us quite a wide brief.  The main stipulation is that we work with black and white only- no shades, which means my sepia friend is not allowed.  The button below will take you to the home page of the challenge.

bwphotochallenge-logo-sn

73 comments

  2. Great images, Jo, and very nostalgic for me….going back a few years, 1979 to be precise. I was at the School of Pharmacy in Sunderland, and used to take trips to Durham (an altogether prettier place!! I’ll have the Wearsiders after me now!)

    Like

    Reply

  3. These are fantastic, Jo. I especially love the “romantic view of Durham” one & the “Milburngate Bridge with castle and cathedral” one. Lovely!

    Like

    Reply

  4. con te continuo il viaggio dell’alba attraversando luoghi prima sconosciuti, ora bellissimi alla scoperta dei miei occhi
    ‘tutti scatti straordinari, mi hanno colpita di più quelli dell’acqua sopra al ponte
    ora mi vado a vedere il blog che hai segnalato mia principessa delle foto

    continuing the journey with you dawn crossing places before strangers, now beautiful to my eyes
    ‘ all extraordinary shots I have hit more than the water over the bridge
    now I’m going to see the blogs you’ve signaled my Princess photos

    Like

    Reply

    1. Too early in the day for cake 🙂 (What! I can hear some people cry- never too early for cake!) I’m still at the coffee stage.
      But I WILL stop by and accept it for later. Thank you kindly for thinking of me. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  9. This river and bridge setting really lends itself to black and white. Very nice. Would love to see the students in their boats sculling, something I don’t get to see. So now I have just given you an assignment. 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. They zip past so quickly, Lynne! By the time I’ve pointed and clicked they’re a blur. Must try harder. 🙂
      Congrats to Ron, being FP by the way. So well deserved!

      Like

      Reply

      2. I just realised this morning, when I linked from my windows post to “Discovering Durham” that there are some ‘scullers’ on there, Lynne! Not my photo though, so it doesn’t really count. I’ll keep trying. 🙂

        Like

    1. Thank you, fair lady. (dips curtsey) 🙂
      I’m quitting while I’m ahead! Actually I’ll be in the Algarve again from Monday so will miss a couple. You know how low tech I am, and I’m quite happy to leave blogging alone while I’m away. Hope to have a go at Abstract because that sounds interesting.

      Like

      Reply

      1. But, Sonel’s challenge with her notifications of the themes weeks ahead gives you no excuse :P. I already have my toys ready, family and abstract :D. I will be on holiday from 15 to 26 of July (Vicenza, Como, Lugano, Verona)…

        Like

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.