Hewenden Viaduct

Normal service is resumed today with the return of summer weather a full two months after its premature appearance back in March. It was wonderful to be back in shorts and shirtsleeves again, feeling the warmth of the sun on the skin. I know I had some of that myself only last week but there is something about the sun in England which is special. It felt different today.

I cycled directly into work this morning and then back via a very circuitous route taking in Cullingworth, Oxenhope, Laneshawbridge, Lothersdale, Cononley and Silsden. I wanted to make the very most of a beautiful evening which offered gorgeous light for photography. Tonight's ride was over 40 miles and took me a bit longer than expected because I was back focussed on taking pictures again. I took loads, but the one I'm posting was the very first I took this evening, of Hewenden Viaduct. I've previously blipped this in beautiful morning light here, but the light tonight, shining between the arches, was luminous of another whole order. I'm fascinated by how the light at different times of day makes for a completely different photograph.

A few facts for you. The viaduct comprises 17 arches, each 50 feet in span, and is 376 yards long. At 123 feet high, it was the second tallest in England when built. Opened in 1884, the last traffic to cross the viaduct did so in 1963 following the infamous Beeching cuts. It must have been a quite amazing sight to see a train cross here with a full head of steam. Sobering to think that we used to travel by steam train to go on holiday to Bournemouth from London when I was a boy. Is that really the same lifetime as the one I'm in now?

The long evenings are squeezing the days pretty tight now. Late back. Late dinner. Late blip (turned 11pm) ... and now a late bath! I'm trying to avoid a late night because I feel the need to get more sleep at the moment. Cold and cough better today, but still lingering. Hope you all in the UK saw some good sunshine too today!