Old Bridge Is Calling

joanstewart(74)

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#wednesdaywalk

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Walking and Thunking

Walking takes place on weekends in groups of three or four for safety reasons, always enjoy this walk from the parking lot via the beach to the bridge most probably about a 5 km round trip .

Vervet monkey sitting on the roof looking impressive in the early morning sun, barking orders to the troop coming through from his vantage point, cheeky guy doing what he does best keeping his family in check.

Still straddling the roof while we pack into the car, lock up house check windows are closed, you definitely don't need unwanted visitors while you are out, including these monkeys.

Over the dunes to the river where the dogs enjoy playing, here is a peek down to the sea, winter is a great time to get to the beach with cooler weather, at 09h00 it will be approximately 20 deg C, tide is out, giving the exceptionally flat water flowing.

Locomotive on the bridge taking supplies further down the line to factories along the south coast, this stretch of railway lines in one of the prettiest to travel along with the line hugging the shoreline for many miles.

Not as safe, the view has not changed, ongoing floods are taking their toll with the line being periodically closed, passengers on passenger trains now travel at their own peril. If our tourism department had more insight into this beautiful ride it should be safe for tourists to enjoy.

During the 1980's (approximately 100 years after this railway line was constructed) we took our children on the Sunday steam train run normally for a picnic lunch on the beach at Kelso station, to return early afternoon, what joy this brought to all in the community. Sadly the steam train no longer runs, they were being looked after by private people who just loved steam and a bygone era.

Illovo river rail bridge is an iconic sight, vital for the movement of goods, most the original bridges built in the late 1800's, not sure when these bridges were rebuilt. Interesting extract:

George Russell goes on to record the reaction of a group of Zulus in translated form: “Wow! But it is a strange beast. Its belly is full of fire and vapour; they feed it with water and wood logs. It is like a Rhinoceros, but it blows smoke and sparks through its horn... (Source)[http://www.transnetfreightrail-tfr.net/Heritage/150years/150YearsRail.pdf]

For those who love history here is a well documented site on birth of Natal Governments railway lines. Durban's Railway Stations

Nuts and Bolts Welded Bridge:

Looking up through the concrete and steel, originally laid with wooden sleepers replaced with concrete during the 2000. Trains run very high on my nostalgia list, the old iron maidens chugging up hill sounding out "Die pad is lank, die tyd is kort" (The road is long, the time is short), to think how much higher our demands have become with delivery times, now mostly run in trucks.

Perhaps it is the walk, opening the mind to fond memories, perhaps the fresh air and age reminders of how much has changed, for good or bad we move on, keep walking.

In parting a lonely footprint to remind us that is all we must leave in nature. If we the people don't curb our wants and needs, demanding much from nature only this type of footprint will remain, humans create their own disaster.

Photography all my own on a Canon PowerShot SX730 HS

Thought for Today: " It is better to build bridges than walls. ~ Swahili proverb

@joanstewart

Don't forget to join #wednesdaywalk with @tatoodjay

Try and get out once a week for a short walk, can be from your office, home or anywhere really and walk for a few blocks or a few minutes looking for things to get shots of.