On the way back up from our Oswestry trip we stopped at Kendal in Cumbria, which lies in the valley of the River Kent.

This rather nice bridge straddles the river towards the town’s southern end:-

Close by and just up from the river is Kendal Parish Church, Church of the Holy Trinity:-

This angled vie wshows the building off to good effect:-

Front view with clock tower:-

There is a lovely bridge over the river Avon at Evesham, called the Workman Bridge after the mayor under whose auspices it was built.

Workman Bridge from banks of River Avon:-

Roadway, Workman Bridge, looking towards Evesham centre. Belltower of Evesham Abbey to left:-

Weir Seen from Workman Bridge:-

I meant to put this photo of a war dead dedication in St Lawrence’s Church, Evesham, in my previous post. 2nd Lt Ernest Geoffrey Crisp, 15th Battalion Warwickshire Regiment, killed in action in France 16/12/1915, aged 24:-

I realised that we would be very near Ironbridge on our trip across England after the game at Oswestry and so couldn’t miss visiting the site of the first iconic construction of the Industrial Revolution.

The eponymous bridge is a beautiful shape. Imagine our disappointment when we found it swathed in plastic. It was undergoing repairs/refurbishment.

So, I have walked over the iron bridge – pedestrian traffic was allowed – but have not actually seen it.

We’ll just need to go back another time.

Still, it wasn’t a completely wasted stop; there was an extensively stocked second-hand bookshop in the village itself near to the bridge and a pleasing War Memorial.

Wolrd War 2 Dedication. “The Church clock was illuminated as a memorial to the followimg men of Ironbridge who lost their lives during the 1939-1945 war”:-

From south. Great War Names:-

From North. Great War dedication. “In grateful and undying memory of the valiant men of Ironbridge who laid down their lives in the Great War 1914 – 1919. We thank God upon every remembrance of you.”

Queensferry Crossing, Forth Road Bridge and Forth Bridge:-

Panorama from Rosyth:-

From east:-

North span:-

Middle and south spans:-

From below; taken from deck of SS Black Watch:-

North Span from east. (Part of Forth Road Bridge and of Queensferry Crossing to left):-

From River Forth. Part of Forth Bridge to left:-

Forth Road Bridge from below:_

Forth Road Bridge with Forth Bridge behind.

North spans:-

South spans. Bow of SS Black Watch in shot:-

We happened to be going under the new Forth Road Bridge on our way to Norway the day they opened it to foot passengers (for the one and the only time.) Our eldest son and his intended entered the draw and won tickets for that. I don’t think they’re in these photos. (Forth Road Bridge in background in first one.)

Before we set sail, HMS Prince of Wales, the second new Royal Navy aircraft carrier, could be seen from the dock at Rosyth:-

Queensferry Crossing from the River Forth:-

From below:-

Bridge Support from the river:-

East side, from the river, looking south:-

East side, from the river, looking north, Forth Road Bridge to right:-

I liked this frieze above the windows of Rochdale Museum:-

Also these stained glass windows which seem to be on someone’s extension:-

Across the road from the Museum was a green park-like area with this iron pedestrian bridge:-

Nearby was this statue of John Bright:-

This spire-y thing is by the side of the road. I’ve no idea what it’s for:-

The town centre has this statue of sheep (rams):-

And spot the dedication on the bridge (which I ought to have placed in yesterday’s post):-

Until recently the River Roch through Rochdale town centre had been covered over for decades – almost a century. It’s been opened up now and the river looks well. A town always seems better for a river running through it.

Bridge in Rochdale town centre, Art Deco former Regal Cinema, now The Regal Moon, in background:-

Bridge in Rochdale town centre from opposite side, Town Hall in background:-

Rochdale Town Hall and Square:-

One side of Rochdale Town Square (to the right in previous picture):-

Rochdale’s most famous daughter is perhaps, Gracie Fields. There is a statue of her, complete with old style microphone, in the town square:-

Different angle. Town Hall in background:-

The Rochdale trams are colourful; well, bright:-