Bridge 1
Like many of these old rail bridges,on the top is not the best place to be,to see their true fineness,so we climbed down the bank to get a better look.The bridge spans a fast moving stream that is used by the nearby fishery and their equipment is all around,but this only partially detracts from the beauty of the bridge.The bridge itself is well built and still in good condition and looks really picturesque with the ivy growing over it.The arch is covered with years of mineral deposits,but the brickwork is still in really good condition.
The invasive weed Himalayan Balsam is all around the bridge,a problem that we find everywhere we go and seems to be getting worse.Delighted by this first bridge that we'd found,we climbed back up onto the track bed and set off in search of further treasures.We didn't have far to go and soon came to an amazing sight.
Walking across the bridge,it looks as though the line comes to a dead end.The track used by farmers etc. bends off to the left and where the line would be,straight ahead,seems to be overgrown and blocked.If you investigate more thoroughly however and keep walking straight on,you will discover the remains of what I have imaginatively called,Bridge 2.At this point,you will come to a fenced off part.DO NOT be tempted to go past this fence,as there is a sheer drop here and unless you can fly,you will die.
Avoiding this drop we climbed down the bank at the side and were greeted by the remains and amazing sight of The Exe Railway Bridge(or Bridge 2).