At last the weather broke and we had a few beautiful sunny days, something I thought didn’t exist any more! So to make the most of it me and mother went for a wee outing around the Peninsular at North Queensferry. Stopping for lunch at the lovely Loch Leven Larder on the way, where the threat of the fake cows reared its ugly head again! But we managed to escape unscathed, very happy that dream didn’t come true!
Anyway we follwed the walk under the bridges and out by the motorway, under the bridges again and around to quiet bays, although it’s the wrong river as far as I’m concerned, I must admit it was really quite lovely, especially with the sun beaming down. Following the cycle path we went passed various old jetties and random iron crane like things dating back to an industrial age and the war. Keeping to the side of the river we travelled through a rather post apocalyptic and deserted looking quarry out to where the lesser spotted swimming Fifer (person from Fife) could be spotted along side the nature reserve. Then the bridges came back into sight and it was under the rail one, through the town, under the bridge again and back to the starting point. Fell in love with my wide lens again as it made taking the iconic bridge shots easy as could fit both into the shot without needing to photo stitch. Of course in a few years it will all be different as the road bridge is slowly but surely falling down, something about air in the cable housing letting the cables rust and hence its struggling to hold its own weight. Before long there will be a 3rd Forth bridge but of course the 2nd one won’t be there any more so not sure if the new will will be the 2nd or 3rd Forth bridge then! Ok confused myself now!
-Forth Bridges and old Jetty-
But the Forth bridges are not the only iconic bridges I’ve been to recently. The following day the sun was still shining so I took the camera with me on my trip to Dundee. On the right river and although not as famous, is another great railway bridge. Unfortunately this bridge, well its’ predecessor, is most famous for falling down! Its a pleasant walk up from the railway station along the riverside to the bridge, though surprisingly longer to walk until you can see the full bridge curving the other way. On the way you pass various signs telling you of Dundees history and just before the bridge, inscribed into the walkway is the famous McGonagall poem about the railway bridge The railway bridge of the silvery Tay (“Beautiful railway bridge of the silvery Tay, with your numerous arches and pillars in such grand array”). Although globally famous the poem itself is really pretty bad, the rythmn a bit dubious and really doesn’t scan well. He really was not the best thing to come out of Dundee. Anyway I read along it and wondered if there had been an emperor of Brazil that stopped to look at it on the way to Inverness. But the bridge herself is lovely in her own way and was a enginerring feat of her time, being the longest bridge span when she was built, both 1st and 2nd times. After shooting the bridge and watching the seals bask on the sandbanks it was back into town to do a bit of shopping and have lunch at the new McManus Gallery and muesum. All in all a lovely day.
“The greatest wonder of the Day,
And a great beautification to the river Tay,
Most Beautiful to be seen,
Near by Dundee and the Magdalen Green” - McGonagall
Had nothing else to do with my evening so agreed to go on a night shoot with the guys though I would spend the whole time being insulted! But at least I didn’t leave my camera bag under the bridge!!!!!! On similar settings as Ian and just guessing the shutter speed, sorry going by feeling, and using the wide lens I got some lovely calm shots. The trains helped light up the rail bridge, which was finally free of scaffolding as it now has the new super douper paint on it which does not need redone constantly. Pity they haven’t lit it up like all the other main landmarks. But was a good shoot even with the insults!
