Shadow on the turning tide

The waters slow and drift in lazy patterns, as the salt water of the Bristol Channel ceases its push into the fresh River Severn, at the peak of the tide. The Sun shines down, casting a long curling image of the old Severn Bridge onto the brown waters.

No easy clear water down there; she's a brown muddy girl. Tonnes upon tonnes of welsh soil washes down the Severn, and the second highest tidal rise and fall in the world churns it into a soup you feel you could almost walk on.

This graceful bridge opened in 1966, and a toll was charged to pay for her build and her upkeep. The toll continues, ever higher now, although the idea was that the tolls would cease once the costs were recouped. There's a Second Severn Crossing too, with the same tolls. Costly business, driving into Wales.

Happily, motorcycles are free to cross.