The sun has been shining and river levels are back to normal.
I noticed for the first time today that fences have been erected near Abingdon Bridge with notices warning of unstable banks.
A hole has developed at one point, but the fence is quite extensive, and has reduced the amount of free mooring.
There was another hole in the tarmac path just the other side of the bridge last spring, which got repaired, and there is still the hole in St Helen’s Wharf awaiting repairs.
On this old postcard (I have a copy but not the copyright) the River Thames looks barely navigable near Abingdon Lock with all the small islands and the moldering banks. If there were nobody to maintain the river I guess it might revert to such a state within a couple of generations.
When I was little (the 1970s) we used to bring a picnic and spend the day at our favourite ‘beach’ on the river bank–which still looked like the postcard in those days. I was quite sad when they shored up the banks …
My mother has a book of Victorian Abingdon and pictures of it. There is a wonderful picture of where Wilsham road now runs – it looks similar to the postcard but includes the church in the background
Love the picture!
What is the current state of the path along the river between the lock and the bridge? I am keen to resume running along the riverbank but last time I ventured there (2 weeks ago) it was wellies only!!!
Abingdon resident – the path is pretty dry now. Walked there today. Tonight’s and tomorrow’s rain may change that though!
Oh my goodness! Moody Man’s been right all along….Abingdon’s crumbling before our very eyes! Quick, everyone….blame the Conservative Council !!!
Indeed daniel, he’ll be blaming a host of woes on the lack of a 4 lane bypass for the overcrowded river bank next… you can barely move for the ducks…. ;O)
Excellent postcard image. Shows as always how the past was a little less “neat and tidy” than some seem to imagine.
The river in its natural state bore little resemblance to the neat and tidy one we have today. For starters it wasn’t only in one channel. When it floods the old side channels fill up first – look out for them next time.