From Hope Mill bridge over the River Frome

I was a few minutes early when picking up Woodpeckers from her Friday afternoon job, so I pulled in to the edge of the single track road leading to the Hope Mill industrial estate. The track which crosses this bridge over the River Frome probably dates from when the Mill was still functioning. It doesn't exist at all now.

I walked the few yards back to the bridge, having so enjoyed being seated beside the same fast flowing river yesterday, about two miles downstream on the edge of Stroud. Here the river was more placid, particularly on the upstream side of the old brick-built arched bridge. On the downstream side the flow was greater where the water was forced through the narrows formed by the two arches. The land beyond was also less open, forming this delightful overhanging shelter above the water tumbling over the stoney bottom.

I looked straight down into the water and saw several brown trout treading water, if that is the right description, in the middle of the deeper water where the river ran faster. I love the reflections of light in weak shafts, and the sense of the river running quietly away into the distance. It was very peaceful.