The Frontier

The Toll Booths on the Tamar Road Bridge 

which joins England to Cornwall at Saltash.

Gondolas

These safe working platforms, high up on the suspension cables of the Tamar Road Bridge,  

await the arrival of the maintenance crew for the start of another busy day.

Bridges over placid waters

The Main Line from Cornwall to Plymouth and onto to London,crosses Forder Creek

a couple of miles before crossing the River Tamar into England, over Brunel's iconic 1859 bridge.

One hundred years apart.

Brunel's Royal Albert Railway Bridge across the River Tamar was opened in May 1859.

One hundred and two years later, in 1961, it was joined by the Tamar Road Bridge.

The major refurbishment of the railway bridge is very close to completion 

and a few days ago it was shining beautifully on a brilliant winter day 

as I enjoyed a bracing walk along the pedestrian outrigger walkway on the road bridge..

In the footsteps of Richard Trevithick,

the Cornishman who invented "The Locomotive"

Click here to see The Puffing Devil in action

At noon on Sunday 27th April 2014 this steam-hauled train crossed Brunel's bridge across the Tamar,

steaming out of Cornwall, Trevithick's birthplace, and into Plymouth.

Red sky at night sailor's delight.

Sunset and rainbow over the road and rail bridges across the River Tamar.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel checks the progress .....

.... of the major refurbishment of his famous, 

154 year old bridge across the River Tamar.

From his vantage point on the river bank, in front of the Union Inn, he can see exactly what is going on.

The two year project is getting close to completion.

 It will not be too long before the scaffolding and the army of workmen in their red suits are gone, and the bridge can gleam like new in the sun.

The wind has now been joined by torrential rain.

Whatever happened to the beautiful weather of last weekend.

Conditions on the River Tamar at Saltash Passage, 

where the road and rail bridges link Plymouth to Cornwall, were excellent.

Sunny and warm with a light breeze for easy sailing.

Looking towards Plymouth from Saltash.

All the world's a stage .....

....... but many high bridges are the location for episodes of deeply tragic human despair. 

These flowers are attached to the railing of the pedestrian walkway on the Tamar Road Bridge.