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Bridge over troubled waters

September 5, 2019
Travel
©2019 Bridge on the River Kwai. Photo by Alan Owens
Peering out of the station's waiting room over River Kwai Bridge. Photo by Alan Owens ©2019

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Original Bridge. ©2019 Bridge on the River Kwai. Photo by Alan Owens
Burma Railways Japanese Bridge 277, the so-called "Bridge on the River Kwai", which was built over a stretch of river that was then known as part of the Mae Klong River. This is the original old bridge. Photo by Alan Owens ©2019

Dry splintered wooden flakes crumbling from decades of neglect, being carried away on the hot breeze floating above the river.
Its red rusted penny nails, bowing, bent over, surrendered and beaten into the timbers by British POW's decades ago.
Worn sleepers laid atop tired pillars, holding the memories of the lost is all that remains of the original bridge that now lies dormant.

Long past is the sounds of the big sooty black iron horses billowing smoke and spitting sparks from its firebox.
Its heart, a bright as they charge across the wooden bridge, clickity-clack and steam from its whistle tooting above the River Kwai its echos lost around its snaking riverbanks.

A few years on, with two gauges of rails a new bridge appears.
Spanning fifteen hundred and thirty-five meters, its centred matt black path, and worn shiny diamond-plate, polished from years of people and animals traversing the walkway, lead people across.
The dance to pass someone, stepping over the rail then back again is like a well-choreographed performance.
When you feel the vibration, then hear the thunder of a train coming, you step onto an overhanging river balcony stretched out from the bridge, it's so moving.

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©2019 Bridge on the River Kwai. Photo by Alan Owens
Photo by Alan Owens ©2019
its centred matt black path, and worn shiny diamond-plate
©2019 Bridge on the River Kwai. Photo by Alan Owens
Engine No 21758 from Glasgow's Hyde Park works, sits rusting quietly on one side of the riverbank, its firebox long cooled from its last steam by the Japanese. Photo by Alan Owens ©2019
Long past is the sounds of the big sooty black iron horses billowing smoke and spitting sparks from its firebox.
©2019 Bridge on the River Kwai. Photo by Alan Owens
Photo by Alan Owens ©2019
A few years on, with two gauges of rails a new bridge appears
Motorboats on the River Kwai. Photo by Alan Owens ©2019
Underneath the bridge, motorboats with long shafts and open propellers race past the lingering steel giant, its motor pivoted and steered as a whole, balanced on a single mount.
Alan Owens

Today’s a new day, I open my eyes and think of all the possibilities.  Wales is a beautiful country, green, filled with castles and story’s of King Arthur and the knights of the roundtable.  Roman roads seem to always lead to old churches, friendly people offering hot tea and toast, this is to know Wales... good morning, it’s a new day...

My name is Alan, and I love life, my work and what I have yet to discover.  I like to visit new places, see new things and try new foods. I love photography using IOS devices, web design, analytics and graphic design.

Live your dream, or you'll end up living someone else's...

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