Railings as Nature Intended

Most railings we see today are in urban environments. This picture shows some railings in the wild.

It puts me in mind of Monarch of the Glen, a famous painting by Sir Edwin Landseer.

Portishead

After the bitter railings-related disappointments of the last few weeks, I decided to treat myself to a walk in the country.
I took the bus out to Portishead, a small town situated about ten miles from Bristol on the coast.
The main street is level but behind it there is a steep hill where most of the people seem to live. From the top you get good views of the Bristol Channel and Wales. Halfway across the estuary lies Denny Island (above); a tiny place, but it marks the border between England and Wales.
Denny island. Denny island







Inland from Portishead is the marshy Gordano valley. The M5 runs through it, just after the Avonmouth Bridge heading south. Apart from that, it's a very peaceful place.



The old straight track. This footpath runs under the M5 to come out in Portbury.
The willow is the first to shed its leaves.



Teasels.






This is what people call cracked mud. At least some people do.


I chanced upon some farm buildings.




I couldn't see anybody around. Perhaps they were all hiding and watching me. They do that a lot in the country, I've seen it in films.









Over in the distance, these beasts roamed the earth.














Then to Portbury village - not to be confused with Portbury dock. A different place altogether. Portbury was an important place in Anglo-Saxon times. There aren't any remains from that era, but some buildings seem very old. For example, this priory below.




There is an old earthworks there, but it didn't seem accessible to the public.



And the manhole covers!! They have to be seen to be believed. Such variety!

This isn't all of them. Only highlights.



A Stanton Trojan 75



Anonymous circular covers.







Can't quite see the writing on this one.










I think the one above is made by Dudley of Exeter.




More random covers.






Below: A Stanton and Staveley Chieftain 600. Stanton and Staveley were two ironworks in Derbyshire.


A Stanton (what's happened to Staveley?)
Saracen 600







More random drains for your amusement.









Then there's St. Mary's Church, Portbury. Dating back to the 12th century.
Wikipedia








Finally, here's some lichen growing on the church

Railings - the video

A video of some local railings.

Week 2. Still no luck

I don't mind admitting I'm getting worried. Still no railing sightings. If this keeps up I'll end up looking really stupid.

However, sightings from around the country continue to pour in. A special mention must go to Mr. Howard Dewfeel of Wolverhampton who has recently died after spending a whopping forty-three days with his head stuck in some railings. That's the bad news; the good news is that he was being sponsored and has managed to raise an amazing £123:75p for the charity HeadRail that helps people with their heads stuck in railings.

Railing Awareness Fortnight - Day 2

Well we're already into the second day of Railing Awareness Fortnight (RAF).
How's it going?

I went out this morning determined to look at some railings, but unfortunately I couldn't find any.

I'm not having much luck with finding things lately. At the weekend I tried to go to the Bristol Harbourside Festival but couldn't find that either. Why don't they give out better directions? I'm sure more people would go if they did.