This is the Balcombe viaduct which was built in 1839 and still has 110 trains cross it a day. It's a feat of confident Victorian engineering where they built things to last in the absolute certainty that the Empire would continue forever.
I couldn't help but remark to Mr GBT that this determination and rather arrogant approach put me in mind of the Romans who seemed to hold similar views. They too built with determination and longevity in mind. Years ago I saw a Roman aqueduct in Israel. It might have been 2000 years old , but it was still in pristine condition and looked like it could have been put up the day before. They had a not dissimilar attitude to matters of Empire I seem to recall and we know what happened in the end don't we! The Balcombe viaduct is now Grade II listed.
Arilx
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When I was small I used to go most weekends to my Aunt and Uncles caravan along with my Nana, some days we would drive to the coast, unpack sandwiches and a flask of tea and sit and have a picnic in the car. As a child I expected this to be followed by a walk or a run on the beach or through fields ... it was always quite confusing to then pack everything away and head home to the caravan.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit as a grown up I can now see the sense of this sometimes with our British weather, but two small dogs mean I always have to venture out of the car at least for a few minutes.
Magnificent viaduct!