Flood / Westhay

Bridges over Troubled Waters

by Jeff Bevan · Published 7th March 2024 · Updated 5th March 2024

Westhay – Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1020

Joining Westhay with Wedmore is a road called Blakeway. It cuts across the flat ground of the Somerset Levels. Apart from a couple of sharp bends near Sweets Tea Rooms this is a very straight road. In fact it is one of the best roads in the area which encourages some fast driving (often too fast).

On these few miles of roads are several bridges, but two stand out – Blakeway Bridge and Westhay Bridge.

Blakeway Bridge

At the Wedmore end of the road the Blakeway Bridge creates a squeeze point which can be a bit scary if drivers coming the other way don’t slow down. In truth it is not much of bridge and few would notice it except for its slight bump and narrow lines.

The Blakeway – Aller Moor, Somerseet Levels, UK. ID MG_5359

Today, either side of this bridge is a vast inland sea. In more normal times this is route of the North Drain lined with fields either side.

Aller Moor and North Drain – Nr Wedmore, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_8834

Early Morning

That is enough of sunny blue pictures. My new plan was to stand on the bridge and photograph the sunrise. So with the essential high visibility kit I ventured out in the early morning to set up my tripod on Blakeway Bridge.

Blakeway Bridge Sunrise – Nr Wedmore, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0830

The sky was interesting but it was not really working so I packed up and rushed down the Blakeway to Westhay Bridge. Normally I would say stick with your original plan, but sometimes you just get the feeling it will be better somewhere else.

Westhay Bridge

Over at Westhay Bridge the sky seemed to offer more potential for rich colours.

Westhay Bridge Sunrise – Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0964

It was not long before the sun appeared.

A sunrise is Nature telling you that it’s time to cherish another day – Urbn Madl Ui

Westhay Bridge Sunrise – Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0997

While standing on Westhay Bridge another photographer pulled over and started to chat. I really enjoy a chat while out taking pictures, but it seems I should have been here last Tuesday. There is always one that gets away. Actually, we all miss many a great landscape moment – you cannot be everywhere everyday. You plan the day before and hope. That morning I had to travel to my day job so I was on the road heading south to near the Dorset border.

Back to today, and the camera took the morning colours and transformed them into the golden light of morning. The light may not have been as good as last Tuesday, and not as gold as it looks in the picture, but it was still stunning, and well worth getting out of bed for.