The bridge over the Usk

This is the old bridge crossing the river Usk goingfrom Abergavenny to Llanfoist, I don't know when it dates back to, but it was painted by JMW Turner back around 1799 (which you can see here).

The bridge is only just wide enough for one lane of traffic in each direction plus a narrow footpath one side, and at rush hours is quite a bottleneck.

Just behind it used to run a railway bridge, about half as high again, which took the line from Abergavenny to Merthyr Tydfil, closed in the 60s. The piers at either end still stand, but I don't think you can see them through the trees in this blip.

This side of bridge, the water is deep, and I believe folk used to swim there, sometimes diving off the bridge, particularly when drunk - a dangerous pastime! Swimming is now forbidden, and I must admit I've never seen anyone. Fishermen, yes, because salmon come up the river to spawn, and there are other fish as well.