I have been saving this photo for a very long time. I took it in Devon one April quite a long time ago. The bridge is over the river Lyn, a beautiful Exmoor torrent of icy water that rushes through a steep rocky valley to the sea at Lynmouth.
As the river races through the valley there is always a very gentle mist of spray, but it is not always visible. In this photo the bridge almost disappears into the mist, and I remember when the photo was developed thinking that the scene hadn’t looked so magical through the lens.
Cameras often capture mystical creatures, faeries, tiny rainbows. I have always loved the mystical quality of this photo…. Maybe the river ‘remembers’ a time when there were no bridges?
Looking at this tranquil place, it is hard to imagine the devastation this river caused in 1952.
The small coastal town of Lynmouth became known throughout the world for the disaster that struck in August 1952. On the night of the 15th, after continuous rain throughout the day, the East and West Lyn Rivers rose suddenly and filled with the waters from their Exmoor catchment. Large boulders and rocks were carried in the flow towards the village, destroying houses, roads and bridges. Many lost their lives during that dark and terrifying night. The whole of Exmoor was affected and considerable damage was caused on the Barle, Exe, Heddon and Bray but the worst effects were at Lynmouth
To find out more about this weeks Travel Theme, hop over to ‘Where’s My Backpack?‘
This week’s Travel Theme is Mystical
Day One 
That is gorgeous, Barbara — it almost doesn’t look real, like it’s been Photoshopped! But I know how beautiful the Devon countryside is so I know it’s legit! 🙂
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Thanks, I have been keeping it forever…. Glad to have found a place to share it!
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Really Beautiful!
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Mystical and magic!
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It’s been sitting in my computer for years with the name ‘Magical Bridge’ Glad to be able to share it 🙂
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It is really lovely. The greeny blue tones are gorgeous.
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I can look at this picture for hours, it was my screensaver for ages 🙂
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The photo looks like a scene from a movie; the bridge, the white caps of the flowing steam … lovely.
Blessings ~ Maxi
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A lot of North Devon looks like this, it is really beautiful, but sometimes it is difficult to capture it in a photograph! This time it worked 🙂
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I am in awe of this picture. So many times nature pictures, though beautiful when looking through the lens, are disappointing when displayed. It has something to do with “can’t see the forest for trees” type thing. Kind of a “you had to be there” effect.
Not this one. You nailed it. The water draws the viewer immediately to the bridge which is the keystone of the photo (literally and figuratively). The fact that it is ever so slightly off center adds to its appeal. Some other reasons: Instead of a slowly narrowing stream you have a abnormally wide water scene in the forefront while it narrows dramatically toward the background. The dark shadows and breaking light on the left contrasts perfectly with the brightness and “plainness” of the right and beckon the viewer to want take that path into that enchanted scene. The fact that there are few leaves gives the scene texture and depth, especially that one hanging down from the top. Excellent framing.
If you have this in digital form (as you must, since you posted it) please send it on. I will use it as my desktop background (seriously). I’ve already tried using “snip-it” but I can’t get good quality. My email is herrwictor@gmail.com.
I was going to read several more posts, but this one tired me out!
P. S. And if I happen to enter it into competition somewhere and win, be assured you will receive the customary 15% of the prize money as originator.
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Lol, will send you the photo straight away 🙂 I don’t think the original is good quality though since it was probably scanned in from a print. Our local Aldi is selling a negative scanner for £30 and I am seriously tempted as I might be able to access some photos that were lost in the mists of time, (or my ex husbands garage)
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