5 mile bridge

Another walk with the dog, this time over the road to the riverside, where it seemed a little damp to say the least. Last weeks snow and a good downpour have certainly thawed things out and topped the witham up, almost to breaking point !! This shot taken as far as we could go due to the other side being 2-3 ft under water !! West facing shot pointing towards lincoln and the cathedral just barely visible in the shot, looks a bit gloomy in the distance ??

Five Mile Bridge is a famous local landmark, named because it is 5 miles East of Lincoln. It is the only place where the River Witham can be crossed between Lincoln and Bardney, a distance of 10 miles, and even then it can only be crossed on foot or bike. It was recently upgraded with cycle ramps to make it easier for cyclists on National Cycle Route One, part of the rapidly expanding National Cycle Network. It is a beautiful quiet spot, frequented by fishermen, cyclists and the odd walker/runner. The land is very flat and low lying here, with Lincoln Cathedral visible on the hill to the West. The low rolling chalk hills of the Lincolnshire Wolds can be seen to the East.

Fiskerton Fen is a further 2 miles East of the bridge, and is a new Nature Reserve created by the extraction of clay to repair the river embankments. There is a viewing hide built in the style of a Mesolithic hut, similar to those inhabited in this area 10,000 years ago. It makes a nice change from the usual basic hides that are glorified wooden sheds. There is also access to the river bank here, where there is room to moor several boats.