Time and tide…

It’s one of those sights that has always gladdened my heart, since I first started coming to the Algarve- the pontoon bridge at Barril that links Tavira Island to the mainland.  With the tide low, the gangplank descended steeply, but by the time you had walked to the beach, loitered a while, and walked back again, the current would be sweeping in, and have raised the bridge to level.  It never ceased to amaze me.

Every visit to Tavira has always resulted in at least one crossing, there and back, and I suppose I had started to notice the signs of wear and tear.

But no more than one notices the wrinkles on an old friend.  I have lingered by that bridge to watch the sun glinting off the water, and set, in a glory of colour, at the end of many a day.

I suppose change is inevitable.  I don’t always accept it with a good grace.  In July this year I arrived at the bridge and gazed in admiration, tinged with horror.  My bridge had gone, to be replaced by a shiny new model, with no ups and downs, or rusty bits.

More practical?  Certainly!  Still beautiful?  I think so.  But oh, how I shall miss my old friend. Past meets Present, Becky.  What do you think?

I’m going to chance my arm, and say that my bridge was Unusual too, though maybe not in the class of this week’s challenge from Draco .

105 comments

  1. I guess that’s progress. Replacing a quaint movingpontoon bridge with a standard pedestrian bridge. Beautiful enough, but it does pale in charm. Glad to have you join in when you weren’t sure if you would or not, Jo.

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  2. Oh Jo, I know exactly how you feel. In 2011 a huge flash flood raced through parts of our town and one of the victims was a lovely old red Japanese style bridge at the lake. It was eventually replaced by a modern metal version. It’s not nearly as characterful. Lovely blue skies in your photos.

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  4. Like you I don’t always appreciate change…I often think the old one…or the old way was better. The new bridge does look nice and most importantly it looks “safe”. Enjoy many future crossings Jo 😄

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    1. Yes, I’m sure safety is a priority, Gilda. It’s used by families of all ages and there’s a steam train to carry you across to the beach if you’re not fit enough to walk it. (or like my husband, just like trains 🙂 )

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  5. At least the new one still has some character – it could be worse! I know what you mean though, in Stockholm they are currently replacing this bonkers old lock in the middle of the city (it features in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo movies) with a spanking lovely simple bridge and it is kind of heartbreaking.

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  6. beautiful memories of old Jo. the new one may not hold the same character as the old one but it looks as charming and very promising. thanks for sharing as always and my best to you! 🙂

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  7. Gorgeous place! Changes are inevitable, usually they are not for the best! Life is a road with many holes…

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      1. You and me both…..I had to be rescued by a nice young man in London on Tuesday because my right leg gave up on me! He managed to plonk me into a chair at Pret, went back on his way to meet a friend and I recovered over a nice salad on the house…. The kindness of strangers, I tell you! That was 2 kindnesses in quick succession!

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      3. Well, my physics think it was the heat and humidity, either that or I’m going further downhill….time will tell

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  12. I know exactly how you feel Jo – where I used to live we had a footbridge that crossed the river, an old wooden thing with rusting supports. They replaced it with a wizzy, shiny, glass and steel structure a few years back. It still shocks me to see it but it is beautiful too. Lucky we have photos to hold the memories. Hope you’re well Jo.

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    1. Yes, the memories will stick around, Suze. Hard to believe I’ve only been back from the Algarve for a week today, but these rainy grey skies are pure England. But it’s not all about the weather… fortunately. 🙂 🙂

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  14. That first bridge was certainly unusual. I’ve not heard of or seen a bridge that goes up and down like that. I know how you feel. I’ve had things I love replaced by newer and probably better things, but I miss that old ones, too.

    janet

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  15. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Unusual | Jinan Daily Photo: The Sequel

  16. Ah, your old bridge had such character and wonky charm and the idea of it moving up and down with the tide appeals to me. Let’s hope this new one survives the tidal challenges as well. A bridge I would dearly love to walk over right now! Off to the hospital again in a minute but I will email you this evening. Race day today and rain – what an abysmal combination!

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    1. Extremely damp here too but we seemed to escape the thunderstorms. Spent the afternoon in an Italian with a friend, so I’m extremely ‘relaxed’ now, but I was awake at 5.15 ‘worrying’. It’ll all come right in the end. One can only hope 🙂 🙂 You’d love the walk out to Barril, Jude. One day… 🙂

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      1. No thunderstorms here either although it rained heavily through the night (I also keep waking up through the night and then the brain starts churning), light rain this morning but glorious this afternoon and quite warm too. I shall take you up on that walk…

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  17. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Unusual | Ruined for Life: Phoenix Edition

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