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?
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 “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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
restlessjo 
Very enjoyable pictures. As somebody else said, they are bring forth a romantic ambiance, and the black and white only enhances that feeling,
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Thanks for that, Munchow. I had decided to resign from this challenge, as I much prefer natural colour, and think I’ve just about exhausted my possibilities with Durham. In a couple of weeks time the theme will be Abstract, which I like the sound of. I might well be asking you for some tips. 🙂
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You do paint a romantic picture 🙂
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That seems to be the consensus, and I’m happy with that. Thanks for your link. 🙂
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The pictures are so dramatic in black and white, and the bridges are really beautiful!
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It’s a classically English, good-looking city, Meg. You can’t go wrong there with a camera. 🙂 Thank you!
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I was at university at Durham a few years ago. Loved seeing these photographs, thank you for sharing.
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I remember that, James. A few of my readers were and it’s nice to bring back happy memories. (tomorrow’s post will have a shot from the castle tour- you might recognise our guide) 🙂
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These are great photos, Jo. My favourite is Milburngate Bridge 😀
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It’s a great little bridge, that usually has buskers on and is right at the heart of the city, Dianne. 🙂 Many thanks.
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As a ‘Durhamer’, this is my fav so far 🙂
Anna x
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Thanks, Anna. 🙂
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Pretty post! Like the black and white versions! I would do it but I am scared to look that close at the USA bridges they are all failing and lots on the RED LIST 😦 Like I took photos of a beautiful Maine metal bridge and saw rust around the holes where bolts or rivets go in and that means they are loose or on a semi wheel it does 🙂
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Oh dear! Doesn’t sound good, Eunice. 😦
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😦 no so I will let take care of the Bridges 🙂
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Durham, this romantic heart loves these pics!
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Yes, it is a great place for strolling lovers, Laurie. (and me 🙂 ) Thanks!
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Wonderful set of photos! Thanks so much for sharing. 😀
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Happy that you like them, Jackie. It’s really not my medium but the city speaks for itself. 🙂
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I may well have a working visit to Durham next Spring. I was rather dreading the thoughts of it. Until now. Lovely post, enticing pics! Thank you!
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I can think of many worse spots to spend a working break, Hen. As long as the work isn’t too arduous, I think you’ll like it. Many thanks. 🙂
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I love all of your shots and Durham looks like such a quaint place to wander.
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It’s a lovely city, TBM. Not too big. Just right for a wander really. We’re often up there as it’s only 20 mins by car. Specially if it’s too cool for the beach. 🙂
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Lovely shots, Jo 🙂
I spent a weekend in Durham once, a few years ago when my son was checking out the University there. I thought it was a great city. But he chose to go to Leeds instead!
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My son opted for Leeds Uni too and still dithers back and forwards between here and there. He didn’t apply himself enough to have got into Durham and I think it was too close to home for comfort! 🙂
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Oustanding shots as usual Jo and it’s very beautiful there. Sorry that I had to force you to do it in Black and White…hahahaha. Be glad, for now you can do new post where you can feature your lovely coloured photo’s of the bridge. It should be interesting to see it in colour as well too. 😀
Thanks for taking part in the challenge hon. Much appreciated. 😀 *hugs*
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I did think of doing B & W alongside the colour shots, Sonel, but you’re SO strict, I knew that wouldn’t be permitted. 🙂
I think I may now resign from B & W but Abstracts sounds interesting.
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Well, I am glad you did not as I AM strict. Ask my sons. 😉 Whahahahah!
Well hon, now you have the chance to show those beautiful photo’s in colour as well in a new post to us and I hope that you do.
No problem at all as I know you don’t really like B&W photo’s but I thank you for taking part and for all the trouble you went through. Much appreciated for sure. You are such a sweetheart. 😀 *big hugs*
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Durham is such a gorgeous place, isn’t it? Just wandering the riverside is a great pleasure. I haven’t been there for a couple of years, so it is lovely of you to share these photos and your musings.
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Happy to bring back a few memories. Lovely of you to comment. Many thanks. 🙂
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I used to visit Durham regular once, had a friend living there but they have moved back to Basingstoke,, hence not been there for a few years now,, but yes it is lovely area, and your pictures are doing just that. 😉
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Basingstoke? My daughter lived there for a short time. Not high up on my visit list, but wherever family and friends are, that’s the place to be.
Thanks a lot. 🙂
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Have never been to Durham so it was lovely to see these great shots, Loved the “two” bridges, very clever!
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I outsmart myself sometimes, Tanya! 🙂
Did you get somewhere booked in the Algarve yet?
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No luck – either timings or prices didn’t work 😦 But nil desperandum, we may find something last minute and we also may have to pop back to the UK. Big Man wants to go to Portugal so that he can eat Bacalao every day!
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That was a very informative and interesting post about beautiful Durham, Johanna! It looks great in B&W, I especially like your bridges.
Best wishes to you from North Norfolk
Dina
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Many thanks, Dina. It’s a lovely place for strolling if it’s too cold for the beach. 🙂
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A wonderful and romantic gallery of bridges Jo. The shot of Farmwellgate bridge with the boats beneath is outstanding.
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Thanks a lot, Madhu. I just happened to be in Durham last week and couldn’t resist a few more bridge shots. 🙂
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I like these shots Jo, great effort for the challenge. We stopped at Durham for a short time (shopping and a pub lunch) way back in 1999 and I quite like it, would be nice to return.
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It’s just 20 minutes away by car, Sam, so if I don’t fancy the beach it’s a nice alternative. Many thanks. 🙂
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