Hammersmith Bridge

I had planned today to execute a little dead-heading. But the England v Inda men’s Cricket World Cup match was broadcast on BBC Sport. So a reprieve was granted.

While listening on my computer, I scanned a batch of photographic prints produced on 18th March 2000. The family gathered at Mortlake for the start of the Head of the River boat race rowed to Putney.

Emily,

Oliver,

and Alice brought their parents along from Croydon.

Louisa came down from Newark,

and offered Sam and the rest of the Wadham eight help and encouragement in launching their boat.

Our vantage point for watching the race was Hammersmith Bridge. The ladies perched above while I photographed the action from the railings below.

First the leaders came into sight;

soon afterwards I looked down on the Wadham eight and their nearest rivals.

In May this year the bridge, opened on 11th June 1887, was closed for refurbishment.

https://youtu.be/zIzeGUARPpo

It was soon closed indefinitely to traffic because of cracks discovered during these investigations.

This evening I dined on another helping of Jackie’s delicious braised beef, mushrooms, and peppers in red wine; creamy mashed potatoes; tender spring greens, and, this time. crunchy carrots. I had been puzzled yesterday because the Culinary Queen had included carrots on her Post It note. Today I found them at the bottom of the pot containing the greens.

62 comments

  1. That reminds me I must scan mine but probably need to sort out those on Dropbox first!

  2. They showed a clip from the cricket game as I watched our baseball game from London. I’m afraid I can’t make heads or tails out of that game and the scoring sure is high! My Red Sox lost again, but I was thrilled to see a packed stadium and all the enthusiasm from the fans!!

  3. Oh Derrick! Those photos of the eight bring back such vivid memories of my time. I’m eighteen and all I can see and hear is the cox sitting in my face and yelling at me and the other seven sitting behind me. Would that we could go back, just once, for at least a season.

  4. Hammersmith Bridge is quite a marvel and beauty. It is heartwarming to learn they have decided to restore and strengthen it, the highly interesting video says it all. And yet, while the beautiful bridge may be restored to its old glory, many footsteps that trod it before will never return to it once more.

  5. A lucky reprieve indeed! – Well played England. šŸ™‚

    Love the look on Alice’s little face – priceless!

    Hammersmith bridge is indeed a work of art from a different era – it’s nice to see that it will be restored, hopefully close to it’s former glory.

    Hope the food holds out! šŸ˜‰

    1. Thanks very much, Bob. There’s no chance of the food not holding out. The news on the bridge is not good. It would cost many millions. Thanks for the compliment to England šŸ™‚

      1. That’s some good news and some not-so-good news then! šŸ˜‰

        You’re welcome, but it might not happen again in this Cup! šŸ™‚

  6. Such beautiful, sweet faces! šŸ™‚
    Time passes too quickly! I’m so glad you captured those smiles when you did! šŸ™‚ They can be enjoyed by many generations of your family! šŸ™‚
    Are ye fairin’ well while Jackie is away?! She left you some delicious foods! šŸ™‚
    HUGS!!! šŸ™‚

  7. Smiley happy faces, make my day, thank you.
    Also, bridges are unendingly interesting to me. It’s great those with the know are on the ball paying attention to those cracks

  8. Hi Derrick – the photos from 200 are great family pics and they all have a color coordination – even the stroller print flannel seems to match – makes it seem like a photo shoot –
    and hope the bridge doesn’t take too long

    1. I knew I should have put a postit note on it!!!! But settled on just telling him and hoping(vainly, it turns out) that he would remember,

      1. I often feel nostalgic for the ‘wireless’ of my childhood. We’ve come a long way but not necessarily in a good way.

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