Wigan Album

Ozy: I've been having a look at quite a few of the canal's bridges, on Images, and have also noticed that several of those bridges each have dark coloured uncomplimentary stones on a small section of their respective parapet. Despite their rough hewn appearance, their frequency suggests that they could have been part of the original fabric, while the white-washed walls shown here could suggest otherwise - cars for heaven's sake? Just curious ... Hey, that's May blossom in the background! Thanks.

Smoke from the 'dark satanic mills' then Philip? I love the first sight of May blossom and the smell. Wouldn't it have been a bonus if the photograph had been in colour? Ethel's crowning glory with the sunlight showing all the natural glints untouched by 'Clairol' in her hair!

From memory Philip, there aren't a vast amount of bridges that cross the Bridgewater canal between Preston Brook and Stockton Heath, so this one shouldn't be too difficult to identify. I'll give it a go as soon as I get the opportunity. It would be interesting to take a comparison photograph, as it can't have altered that much surely?, apart from the hawthorn possibly.

'Venus at Her Toilette"..... ,Rubens??

Veronica: I agree with you, the sight and smell of newly sprung May blossom is a joy - it also encourages the viewer to stop and stare for a while. I suppose a coloured version of this photo would go some way in identifying local colour i.e., uniform and natural glints, but let's retain the original; it, too, has pulling-power. You might also like to watch tomorrow's Britain's Lost Masterpieces - you wont be disappointed!
Ozy: So it's the Preston Brook-Stockton Heath stretch of the canal; I'd been looking at similar stone bridges that span 'various' stretches - I enjoyed the ride though, and discovered that hawthorn still flourishes on its banks.

It just occurred to me that I haven't seen may blossom in about 50, or so, years. I don't know if it is native here in Ontario,(must check with Mr.Google!)I can't really say I missed it until now, but I find myself nostalgic for it now!
I was never back in England at that time of year, unfortunately.

Ellen,while May blossom is very nice to look at the scent is beautiful.In my opinion the nicest tree in England.

Not much to me is yonder lane
Where I go everyday,
But when theres been a shower of rain
And hedge birds whistle gay
I know my lad that's out in France
With fearsome things to see,
Would give his eyes for just one glance
At our white hawthorn tree.

Sassoon.

Mary Ethel the cyclist is combing her hair
She sees in her mirror a vision so fair
With shoes all shiny and socks to her knee
She's as pretty a picture as ever could be

Ellen I am forever pulling roots up of the Hawthorn Tree - there is one growing behind my back garden fence -it's higher than the house! When we have a 'hot' day it provides shelter and the perfume lasts weeks it's glorious when in blossom! Surely some relative or other could send you a root!

Veronica, that would be a possibility, but the import of live material might be fraught with a great deal of legality/illegality problems! I remember a friend telling me of "smuggling" a plant back from the U.S. in her car.She was successful, but said that the anxiety she suffered during the border crossing cost her "several years growth"(her words!)

Ellen Toronto Islands have the Hawthorne growing there. It blossoms in mid June. There's your excuse to go for a holiday and buy a plant. They even grow Magnolia!

Veronica, I lived in Scarborough,a part of Toronto, for 20 years and visited the Islands many times; it was a favorite place of my Mother's when she visited me!...and yet,I never saw hawthorn there..perhaps because I never looked! I left Toronto 30 years ago, and never went back,except for necessary visits of my husband, for hospital appointments and once to visit an old friend in hospital. My city journeys now I prefer to make to London, a much more pleasant city. So, unless I can persuade someone else to bring me a plant, I will have to do without!