I came from Kent in 1979 as a 16 year old to join the Royal Engineers as a boy soldier. I spent two years at the then Army Apprentice College, which is now known as Beachley Barracks. When I left I joined man service and did a full thirty year career. Whilst in Chepstow I met a young woman and we have now been married 40 years! That area around the slipway and point hold mixed memories for me. We spent many hours on Army PT running around that area, all the time being ‘encouraged’ by the very intimidating PT staff. Some of the lads were foolish enough to take a short cut whilst walking over the Severn bridge - they clambered into a large tree that grew very close to the bridge walkway and climbed down into the college. It saved a very long walk, but could have been fatal if they fell. All these years later we now live in Chepstow. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Great suspension bridge Patrick. Really enjoyed your video. We have two suspension bridges crossing the Halifax harbour here in Nova Scotia. Kind Regards from across the pond.
Really enjoyed the video Patrick, some great bridges around Britain and that is one of the best looking ones. Cleveland bridge were a big company and built bridges all over the world, did the forth road bridge just before the Severn bridge I think , also two of my favourites Ballachulish and kessocck bridges in Scotland ,cheers for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it Harry. Yes I knew Cleveland Bridge built the Forth Bridge and I think they were involved in the Humber Bridge too. I used to drive over the Kessock Bridge years ago when I was with a partner at the time who had folks living near Inverness. Thanks for watching 👍
Nice to see the Severn Bridge, interesting to hear about it's history & your Mum. Brave lady walking over the catwalks, not surprised you are proud. Great footage of you driving over it. Reminds me of Forth Road Bridge in Queensferry. Thanks as always Patrick terrific video.
Pleased you found it interesting Lesley, my Mum certainly was a brave lady back then! I drove over the Forth Bridge once some years back, similar design to the Severn Bridge and built by the same company. Thanks Lesley for watching and commenting. All the best 👍
Loving the videos so relaxing and calming, living on Scarborough the bridge ive travelled over most is the humber and this still gives me the shivers oh and course the spa bridge in Scarborough its self
Many thanks for your kind words and for watching, glad you've enjoyed the videos. I remember driving over the Humber Bridge once, very similar to the Severn Bridge 👍
Hi Patrick, I also have a fondness for the Severn Bridge,for same reason too.I was born in February 66,grew up in Coalway from 6 months old.so all familiar. That would of been hell of an experience for your mum back then.
Wow what a bridge Patrick , how did that feel driving over it ? thanks for sharing the memories and stories of your mum brilliant ! another great video Patrick Fantastic ! 👍
It sure is Russ. Drove many times over this bridge, great experience. Glad you liked the stories of my Mum's connection to the bridge. Thanks for watching! 👍
Absolutely fascinating info about the bridge, your Mum is a legend for doing that Patrick. The Offa's Dyke path is truly stunning, we've done parts of it between Prestatyn and Montgomery either circular or linear using buses to get to one end and walk back to the car, I've always fancied doing it all but like you probably don't quite think I'm fit enough nowadays, all the best mate.
Cheers Steve, glad you for the bridge info interesting. Obviously I'm biased about it due to my Mum's connection to it. Offa's Dyke Path was a childhood ambition when I lived in the area, but in 1990 I finally did the whole thing. Certainly would have to train hard now if I wanted to do it again! Thanks Steve, all the best 👍
My favourite video of yours in the Lower Wye/severn so far Patrick. A super crossing - great edit but more super to hear about your mum on the bridge. That's good going. I really enjoyed hearing about the history of the Severn and Wye bridges. I felt your affinity with them. Re-the offa's Dyke I know your affinity with that. Awesome vintage pic at the start. I was checking out your rucksack old school in a way. Thanks, Patrick - that was a good one. All the best. Mark
Morning Mark, I'm chuffed you rate this one so highly as it's also my favourite video to date that I've made in 2024. Yeah it's a great bit of family history with my Mum which I do feel proud of. Thought you might appreciate the Offa's Dyke section Mark, it was great to walk along to that bit after walking around Beachley Point. I've still got that old rucksack today, it's my Karrimor Jaguar VI. Had many adventures with that in the late 80's and 90s. Thanks for watching Mark, pleased you enjoyed it. All the best down there 👍
@@solitaryrambler Hey, we resonate there then Patrick. Good to hear of your pride regarding your mum and to hear of your feelings in the area let alone the history. Ah, brilliant - you've still got the sack. Maybe you'll bring it out one day and tell us a story with it. Have a great week ahead.
Hello Patrick , I remember the opening of the Severn Bridge it was quite something they used to have tolls on it but motorcycles went free. I alway think of the singer Adge Cutler when I hear of the Severn Bridge . Thanks Patrick another great video lovely story about your Mum.
That's a great story about your mum. I knew a fireman who wanted to do a charity walk over the cables but they said they would have to close the bridge because of "rubber neckers" making it too dangerous, a shame for him but a real privilege for your mum . Great video Patrick :)
Many thanks for watching. Yes I'm proud of my Mum's story. Of course, she walked those cables before all the decking was in place, s certainly no danger of rubber necking then! 👍😂
What a lovely and interesting walk Patrick 😊, how brave your mum was 😅. Bridges make me slightly nervous, think it's a vertigo thing lol 😂. Again, thankyou for taking us with you and as always, have a good weekend 😊
Thanks Steph. Yes my Mum was certainly brave back then! The Severn Bridge isn't very high to be fair, but it's a fab experience driving over it. Thanks for watching Steph, have a great weekend too 👍
With having grown up in Bristol, I'm familiar with the Severn Bridge, but didn't know about the different sections you mentioned. Also impressive filming driving over The Severn Bridge. What a lovely photo of your glamorous mum, could see the likeness. No wonder proud of her. Lovely film and music Patrick. Really liked your upbeat guitar. Very catchy and one of your best.
Morning Shanita. I must admit I only found out about the different bridge sections myself in recent times during my research for this film. Glad you enjoyed the drive over the bridge. To film the POV shots over it I actually anchored my camera and tripod to my car floor with a carrier bag containing three Volvic water bottles! I then turned around the other end to cross back over and repeated the process a second time, but faced the camera towards me to film the shots of me driving - the things you do in the art of film making! 😂 Thanks for your kind words about my Mum. Yes it's something very special to be proud of. Thank you also for your lovely comments on my music, it's a theme I'm particularly pleased with too. All the best Shanita 👍
@@solitaryrambler Glad you explained the filming process over the Severn Bridge. I actually thought you'd used two cameras. One by your side and the other a dash cam overhead at the same time. (Something I have done occasionally eg 2 cameras). Thanks explaining Patrick. All the best.🙂👍
Can definitely understand your fondness for the Severn bridge Patrick (it’s an impressive structure too 👌🏻) Well done on the ofers dyke walk too (loved the old photo 🤠👍) ATB Simon
Hi Patrick, what a wonderful experience for your mum, how long is the bridge, we love to hear all your story's. Your mum looked a lovely young lady in the photo. We too would have been very proud of her. thank you again for an enjoyable walk. take care regards Dave & Jean.
Morning Dave and Jean, it's a great piece of family history with my Mum's connection to the bridge. The crossing as a whole is about 2 miles long, the Severn Bridge itself being about 1 mile. Thanks as always for watching and commenting. All the best 👍
Thanks, Patrick, your Mum was involved in a piece of history, plus she must have some nerve, that's a really scary walk, with the wind blowing all around, and just a wire mesh underfoot. 1966, a great year, England won the World Cup ,the Severn Bridge opened and you came into the World
Very proud of my Mum for that important bit of history on the bridge Nick, she certainly must have had some nerve! 1966 was a great year, thanks for watching and commenting 👍
It's understandable Patrick, as to why you are so proud of the bridge, with your Mum being associated with it's construction in the 1960s. It's a stunning structure, and all part of four sections, which I hadn't a clue of knowing about until you explained here on your film. It must be terrific even to walk across, looking right across the Severn in both directions, I would imagine. The old chapel on the rock is amazing to see, but I wonder how old it would be. The countryside in the area is gorgeous too, and it was great to see the plaque on the rock relating to the start of the Offa's Dyke path. Many thanks for this most interesting video Patrick, and the drive across the bridge. Take care.
You can understand why the Severn Bridge is my favourite bridge for many reasons really Ffranc. But yeah I think my Mum's connection to it is a big part of that. I can remember it being quite windy when I crossed the bridge years ago, especially on a bicycle. Glad you enjoyed seeing the start of Offa's Dyke Path too. Thanks as always for watching and commenting 👍
Wonderful! I loved this video the best of all of them so far! Your mum was intrepid and you follow in her footsteps! In May 1966 I graduated from U of Toronto and also was married! And I walked, solo, the length of ODP in 2018, the best walk of my life and possibly the best 2 weeks of my life ever! What an adventure! May you continue to find many fantastic adventures in your life, Patrick, and in the immediate future, have a wonderful Christmas! By the way, have you encountered Ben Maton, the Salisbury Organist on YT? His videos involve a bit of a country walk to a remote village church which is (miraculously) open. He shows us around and gives us a tour of the organ, sometimes playing his own composition. Highly recommended!
Thank you so much Jean! 😀 Yes Mum was certainly fearless back then, but I couldn't never have done that. Great to hear you've also walked ODP, it sure is a fab walk isn't it. I'll check out Ben Maton at some point as I've not come across him. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas too! 👍😀
Well, I started a bit scared with that ominous music, those repeated base notes got to me! Great music. Then the antics sitting on the Offa's Dyke rock with your past image next to it made me laugh. Interesting history of the Severn bridge with your mum working on it. All the best.
Hi Steve, haha yes a bit ominous I guess. I was trying to capture the oppressiveness, as well as the beauty, of the bridge crossing, particularly as you pass through the huge towers. Glad you liked my Offa's Dyke memory 😁 My Mum's connection to the Severn Bridge's construction is certainly something I've always been proud of. Many thanks Steve for your kind comments and for taking the time to watch. All the best 👍
That was really wonderful. The Severn Bridge is magnificent and to have a back story like that Patrick you must be very proud. Your mother had some guts to do that. I don't mind heights but then there's heights and heights. No thank you 😂 That whole area holds so many memories for you. I recall watching your Off A's Dyke video. I really enjoyed it and what fun to recreate your classic photo from the starting point. It's a hell of a walk you did. One thing sticks in my memory from that walk. Didn't you stay at a guest house of a lady who played the piano for you? Maybe I'm wrong. Really great trip and a shock to see you driving in your car. Did you go over the bridge twice to film different angles or use two cameras? I thought the Wye Bridge looked very classy. Your mother did a wonderful job. Cheers Patrick 😊
Nice one Kelly. I sure am proud of my Mum's connection to the bridge. She sure did have guts, I never would have done that! 😁 It was nice to walk to the start/end of Offa's Dyke Path as it was just outside Beachley. I don't recall anyone playing the piano as such, but i do remember staying at one place where the owner had a Lowrey organ in her living room. She didn't play it whilst I was there though. You are absolutely correct about the method in which I filmed the drive over the bridge - the things you do for film making! 😂 Thanks for watching Kelly, all the best 👍
My family worked at the shipyard while building the bridge, my father and uncle, while my aunt worked in the drawing office, I was at the opening of the bridge, I was about 2 & half years old , so i regard the bridge part of the family . The seven princess is in Chepstow under the the bridge.
Nice one. Mum worked for Beachley Machinery in the early 70's and had dealings with Fairfield Mabey at that time. I knew the Severn Princess was in Chepstow by the old Tubular Bridge but I've been told it's hard to access now 👍
I don't know, Patrick! You may have your feet in Derby but your heart is in Gloucestshire! You come alive when you are there. Forest of Dean, The mighty Severn, lovely communities...what is not to love? Would you retire there?
My heart has always been in this area, but my life is in Derbyshire now. I have a lovely partner here so I don't think I'd ever retire to Gloucestershire, unless my circumstances change for any reason 👍
Great video Patrick. You missed a trick when you drove from Aust to Chepstow. You should have walked over the bridge. I regularly walk over the bridge and back on a Sunday morning.its steeper than you think because of the curvature of the bridge. Also if you park at Aust near the old ferry terminal there is a great coastal path to Severn Beach.
Many thanks for the kind words Mike and for watching. I walked and cycled over the bridge many years ago when I was living in Chepstow, I can remember how windy it was, especially on a bike! 😀 For this film, however, I did initially consider walking over and filming it, but I was too worried about carrying my expensive camera and dropping it! 😁 Also, I wasn't interested in walking to Severn Beach as I wanted to cover Beachley Point and Sedbury Cliffs. All the best 👍
Thanks Mike, Severn Beach isn't on my list to do at any time I'm afraid. I'm more interested in covering locations on the opposite side of the river, which I have been doing throughout this year, and there are more to come that I have filmed since this one. My list is always getting longer and longer though, so I know what you mean! 😂
Thanks as always for watching. The crossing as a whole is about 2 miles long and you can walk and cycle across too. Yes I'm proud of my Mum for that, but no wouldn't have done it myself either👍
I think there is a story about Chapel Rock hosting an anchorite who may have taken a religious toll from travellers in medieval times before they rowed the rest of their journey across the Severn.
My dad used to drive a bus that picked up the bridge workers and he said that he had to walk over the cat walks on one occasion he said he was glad when the road section was in place😂
I came from Kent in 1979 as a 16 year old to join the Royal Engineers as a boy soldier. I spent two years at the then Army Apprentice College, which is now known as Beachley Barracks. When I left I joined man service and did a full thirty year career. Whilst in Chepstow I met a young woman and we have now been married 40 years! That area around the slipway and point hold mixed memories for me. We spent many hours on Army PT running around that area, all the time being ‘encouraged’ by the very intimidating PT staff. Some of the lads were foolish enough to take a short cut whilst walking over the Severn bridge - they clambered into a large tree that grew very close to the bridge walkway and climbed down into the college. It saved a very long walk, but could have been fatal if they fell. All these years later we now live in Chepstow. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Nice one, thanks for all your comments and for watching! 👍😀
Great suspension bridge Patrick. Really enjoyed your video. We have two suspension bridges crossing the Halifax harbour here in Nova Scotia. Kind Regards from across the pond.
Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video 👍
nice one Patrick lovely walk thank you for your time.
Cheers Andrew, thanks for watching 👍
Wow that’s a really brilliant fact about your mum! Really enjoyed reminiscing with you Patrick. 👍🏻
Thanks Claire. Yes as mentioned here I'm proud that my Mum was the first woman on the bridge 👍
Really enjoyed the video Patrick, some great bridges around Britain and that is one of the best looking ones. Cleveland bridge were a big company and built bridges all over the world, did the forth road bridge just before the Severn bridge I think , also two of my favourites Ballachulish and kessocck bridges in Scotland ,cheers for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it Harry. Yes I knew Cleveland Bridge built the Forth Bridge and I think they were involved in the Humber Bridge too. I used to drive over the Kessock Bridge years ago when I was with a partner at the time who had folks living near Inverness. Thanks for watching 👍
THE SEVERN BRIDGE PAT....A TRULY MAJESTIC PIECE OF ENGINEERING.
Cheers Ken, it's a pretty amazing bridge isn't it 👍
Great stuff, Patrick. You tell such interesting stories!
Many thanks John, glad you like them! 👍😀
What a fantastic history of your mum. She was a brave woman, for sure. Love your drive/walk scenery very much. Thanks for posting, Patrick!
She certainly was Richard! Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching 👍
Thanks for taking us for a ride across the bridge Patrick, and for all the memories and stories. Brilliant!
Glad you enjoyed it Peter, pleased you liked the bridge crossing too! Many thanks for watching 👍
Nice to see the Severn Bridge, interesting to hear about it's history & your Mum. Brave lady walking over the catwalks, not surprised you are proud. Great footage of you driving over it. Reminds me of Forth Road Bridge in Queensferry. Thanks as always Patrick terrific video.
Pleased you found it interesting Lesley, my Mum certainly was a brave lady back then! I drove over the Forth Bridge once some years back, similar design to the Severn Bridge and built by the same company. Thanks Lesley for watching and commenting. All the best 👍
Great stuff again Patrick 👍😊
Thanks Paul 👍
Bob Dylan's Album cover for "No Direction Home" is of Aust Ferry ramp in May 1966 with Dyaln waiting for the ferry before bridge opened.
Yes I remember seeing that thanks 👍
Another great vlog thanks for taking your time to do what you do we appreciate your time
I appreciate you saying that, many thanks for commenting and for watching 👍
Loved the car filming Patrick and another great video 📸 pulled out 👍
Many thanks John, glad you enjoyed it. All the best 👍
Lovely walk and some interesting history too - thank you Patrick.
Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it 👍
Loving the videos so relaxing and calming, living on Scarborough the bridge ive travelled over most is the humber and this still gives me the shivers oh and course the spa bridge in Scarborough its self
Many thanks for your kind words and for watching, glad you've enjoyed the videos. I remember driving over the Humber Bridge once, very similar to the Severn Bridge 👍
Hi Patrick, I also have a fondness for the Severn Bridge,for same reason too.I was born in February 66,grew up in Coalway from 6 months old.so all familiar. That would of been hell of an experience for your mum back then.
Nice one! My Dad lives in Coleford. Yes my Mum was very brave back then to walk up those cables! 👍😁
@solitaryrambler yes I see that on another vlog,we moved away in 79,had a brief return in about 83, in Milkwall.now in north Herefordshire.
Good stuff
Thanks 👍
Wow what a bridge Patrick , how did that feel driving over it ? thanks for sharing the memories and stories of your mum brilliant ! another great video Patrick Fantastic ! 👍
It sure is Russ. Drove many times over this bridge, great experience. Glad you liked the stories of my Mum's connection to the bridge. Thanks for watching! 👍
Absolutely fascinating info about the bridge, your Mum is a legend for doing that Patrick.
The Offa's Dyke path is truly stunning, we've done parts of it between Prestatyn and Montgomery either circular or linear using buses to get to one end and walk back to the car, I've always fancied doing it all but like you probably don't quite think I'm fit enough nowadays, all the best mate.
Cheers Steve, glad you for the bridge info interesting. Obviously I'm biased about it due to my Mum's connection to it. Offa's Dyke Path was a childhood ambition when I lived in the area, but in 1990 I finally did the whole thing. Certainly would have to train hard now if I wanted to do it again! Thanks Steve, all the best 👍
Nothing like doing a bit of reminiscing Patrick. 😊
Always like to reminisce Chris! 👍😀
Interesting to see the bridge from below. Totally different perspective from driving across it. Thanks for that.
Thanks for watching Michael, all the best 👍
My favourite video of yours in the Lower Wye/severn so far Patrick. A super crossing - great edit but more super to hear about your mum on the bridge. That's good going. I really enjoyed hearing about the history of the Severn and Wye bridges. I felt your affinity with them. Re-the offa's Dyke I know your affinity with that. Awesome vintage pic at the start. I was checking out your rucksack old school in a way. Thanks, Patrick - that was a good one. All the best. Mark
Morning Mark, I'm chuffed you rate this one so highly as it's also my favourite video to date that I've made in 2024. Yeah it's a great bit of family history with my Mum which I do feel proud of. Thought you might appreciate the Offa's Dyke section Mark, it was great to walk along to that bit after walking around Beachley Point. I've still got that old rucksack today, it's my Karrimor Jaguar VI. Had many adventures with that in the late 80's and 90s. Thanks for watching Mark, pleased you enjoyed it. All the best down there 👍
@@solitaryrambler Hey, we resonate there then Patrick. Good to hear of your pride regarding your mum and to hear of your feelings in the area let alone the history. Ah, brilliant - you've still got the sack. Maybe you'll bring it out one day and tell us a story with it. Have a great week ahead.
Great idea Mark, I might just bring out my old rucksack and tell a tale or two with it! 😀 Hope you have a great week ahead too 👍
@@solitaryrambler Yeah, take it on a hike - out of retirement Patrick. Re-the week - I'm sending my book off finally.
@WyeExplorer That's fantastic Mark! The very best of luck for your book 👍
Hello Patrick , I remember the opening of the Severn Bridge it was quite something they used to have tolls on it but motorcycles went free. I alway think of the singer Adge Cutler when I hear of the Severn Bridge . Thanks Patrick another great video lovely story about your Mum.
Hi Shaun, my uncle worked on the tolls for a while a long time back. Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it 👍
Your mother was an intrepid young woman. That is a beautiful piece of engineering, and well maintained too.
She certainly was 😁 It's a lovely bridge isn't it 👍
That's a great story about your mum. I knew a fireman who wanted to do a charity walk over the cables but they said they would have to close the bridge because of "rubber neckers" making it too dangerous, a shame for him but a real privilege for your mum . Great video Patrick :)
Many thanks for watching. Yes I'm proud of my Mum's story. Of course, she walked those cables before all the decking was in place, s certainly no danger of rubber necking then! 👍😂
What a lovely and interesting walk Patrick 😊, how brave your mum was 😅. Bridges make me slightly nervous, think it's a vertigo thing lol 😂. Again, thankyou for taking us with you and as always, have a good weekend 😊
Thanks Steph. Yes my Mum was certainly brave back then! The Severn Bridge isn't very high to be fair, but it's a fab experience driving over it. Thanks for watching Steph, have a great weekend too 👍
With having grown up in Bristol, I'm familiar with the Severn Bridge, but didn't know about the different sections you mentioned. Also impressive filming driving over The Severn Bridge. What a lovely photo of your glamorous mum, could see the likeness. No wonder proud of her. Lovely film and music Patrick. Really liked your upbeat guitar. Very catchy and one of your best.
Morning Shanita. I must admit I only found out about the different bridge sections myself in recent times during my research for this film. Glad you enjoyed the drive over the bridge. To film the POV shots over it I actually anchored my camera and tripod to my car floor with a carrier bag containing three Volvic water bottles! I then turned around the other end to cross back over and repeated the process a second time, but faced the camera towards me to film the shots of me driving - the things you do in the art of film making! 😂 Thanks for your kind words about my Mum. Yes it's something very special to be proud of. Thank you also for your lovely comments on my music, it's a theme I'm particularly pleased with too. All the best Shanita 👍
@@solitaryrambler Glad you explained the filming process over the Severn Bridge. I actually thought you'd used two cameras. One by your side and the other a dash cam overhead at the same time. (Something I have done occasionally eg 2 cameras). Thanks explaining Patrick. All the best.🙂👍
great video mate
Thanks👍
Can definitely understand your fondness for the Severn bridge Patrick (it’s an impressive structure too 👌🏻)
Well done on the ofers dyke walk too (loved the old photo 🤠👍)
ATB Simon
Hi Simon, yes definitely a bridge I'm fond of. Glad you liked that old photo! 😁 Thanks for watching Simon, all the best 👍😀
Hi Patrick, what a wonderful experience for your mum, how long is the bridge, we love to hear all your story's. Your mum looked a lovely young lady in the photo. We too would have been very proud of her. thank you again for an enjoyable walk. take care regards Dave & Jean.
Morning Dave and Jean, it's a great piece of family history with my Mum's connection to the bridge. The crossing as a whole is about 2 miles long, the Severn Bridge itself being about 1 mile. Thanks as always for watching and commenting. All the best 👍
Thanks, Patrick, your Mum was involved in a piece of history, plus she must have some nerve, that's a really scary walk, with the wind blowing all around, and just a wire mesh underfoot. 1966, a great year, England won the World Cup ,the Severn Bridge opened and you came into the World
Very proud of my Mum for that important bit of history on the bridge Nick, she certainly must have had some nerve! 1966 was a great year, thanks for watching and commenting 👍
Great video as always, there is an
iconic picture taken of Bob dylan 65 waiting for the ferry for no direction home documentary
Thanks for watching! 👍
It's understandable Patrick, as to why you are so proud of the bridge, with your Mum being associated with it's construction in the 1960s. It's a stunning structure, and all part of four sections, which I hadn't a clue of knowing about until you explained here on your film. It must be terrific even to walk across, looking right across the Severn in both directions, I would imagine. The old chapel on the rock is amazing to see, but I wonder how old it would be. The countryside in the area is gorgeous too, and it was great to see the plaque on the rock relating to the start of the Offa's Dyke path. Many thanks for this most interesting video Patrick, and the drive across the bridge. Take care.
You can understand why the Severn Bridge is my favourite bridge for many reasons really Ffranc. But yeah I think my Mum's connection to it is a big part of that. I can remember it being quite windy when I crossed the bridge years ago, especially on a bicycle. Glad you enjoyed seeing the start of Offa's Dyke Path too. Thanks as always for watching and commenting 👍
The 'proper' bridge in my opinion. Reminds me to go back soon, I love sitting under the bridge on the Beachley side. Great video again.
Totally agree! 😀 Thanks for your kind words and for watching. All the best 👍
Wonderful! I loved this video the best of all of them so far! Your mum was intrepid and you follow in her footsteps! In May 1966 I graduated from U of Toronto and also was married! And I walked, solo, the length of ODP in 2018, the best walk of my life and possibly the best 2 weeks of my life ever! What an adventure! May you continue to find many fantastic adventures in your life, Patrick, and in the immediate future, have a wonderful Christmas!
By the way, have you encountered Ben Maton, the Salisbury Organist on YT? His videos involve a bit of a country walk to a remote village church which is (miraculously) open. He shows us around and gives us a tour of the organ, sometimes playing his own composition. Highly recommended!
Thank you so much Jean! 😀 Yes Mum was certainly fearless back then, but I couldn't never have done that. Great to hear you've also walked ODP, it sure is a fab walk isn't it. I'll check out Ben Maton at some point as I've not come across him. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas too! 👍😀
Well, I started a bit scared with that ominous music, those repeated base notes got to me! Great music. Then the antics sitting on the Offa's Dyke rock with your past image next to it made me laugh. Interesting history of the Severn bridge with your mum working on it. All the best.
Hi Steve, haha yes a bit ominous I guess. I was trying to capture the oppressiveness, as well as the beauty, of the bridge crossing, particularly as you pass through the huge towers. Glad you liked my Offa's Dyke memory 😁 My Mum's connection to the Severn Bridge's construction is certainly something I've always been proud of. Many thanks Steve for your kind comments and for taking the time to watch. All the best 👍
That was really wonderful. The Severn Bridge is magnificent and to have a back story like that Patrick you must be very proud. Your mother had some guts to do that. I don't mind heights but then there's heights and heights. No thank you 😂 That whole area holds so many memories for you. I recall watching your Off A's Dyke video. I really enjoyed it and what fun to recreate your classic photo from the starting point. It's a hell of a walk you did. One thing sticks in my memory from that walk. Didn't you stay at a guest house of a lady who played the piano for you? Maybe I'm wrong. Really great trip and a shock to see you driving in your car. Did you go over the bridge twice to film different angles or use two cameras? I thought the Wye Bridge looked very classy. Your mother did a wonderful job. Cheers Patrick 😊
Nice one Kelly. I sure am proud of my Mum's connection to the bridge. She sure did have guts, I never would have done that! 😁 It was nice to walk to the start/end of Offa's Dyke Path as it was just outside Beachley. I don't recall anyone playing the piano as such, but i do remember staying at one place where the owner had a Lowrey organ in her living room. She didn't play it whilst I was there though. You are absolutely correct about the method in which I filmed the drive over the bridge - the things you do for film making! 😂 Thanks for watching Kelly, all the best 👍
My family worked at the shipyard while building the bridge, my father and uncle, while my aunt worked in the drawing office, I was at the opening of the bridge, I was about 2 & half years old , so i regard the bridge part of the family .
The seven princess is in Chepstow
under the the bridge.
Nice one. Mum worked for Beachley Machinery in the early 70's and had dealings with Fairfield Mabey at that time. I knew the Severn Princess was in Chepstow by the old Tubular Bridge but I've been told it's hard to access now 👍
I don't know, Patrick! You may have your feet in Derby but your heart is in Gloucestshire! You come alive when you are there. Forest of Dean, The mighty Severn, lovely communities...what is not to love? Would you retire there?
My heart has always been in this area, but my life is in Derbyshire now. I have a lovely partner here so I don't think I'd ever retire to Gloucestershire, unless my circumstances change for any reason 👍
My favourite bridge too Patrick.Fond memories of getting a National Express coach to Chepstow to visit my beautiful girlfriend in the Wye Valley.
Nice one Reg, many thanks for watching 👍
Crumbs . Your mum was brave doing that 😮.
She certainly was 👍😂
I last drove over the Severn Bridge in 1989, travelling between Heathrow and Ross-on-Wye.
I swore I would never do it again. I don't like heights!
What a view your mum would have had on that catwalk. Good job she wasn't scared of heights, because if you froze up there, you'd be really stuck.
Yeah I imagine she would have done. As for walking up those cables doesn't bear thinking about 👍😂
Great video Patrick.
You missed a trick when you drove from Aust to Chepstow. You should have walked over the bridge. I regularly walk over the bridge and back on a Sunday morning.its steeper than you think because of the curvature of the bridge.
Also if you park at Aust near the old ferry terminal there is a great coastal path to Severn Beach.
Many thanks for the kind words Mike and for watching. I walked and cycled over the bridge many years ago when I was living in Chepstow, I can remember how windy it was, especially on a bike! 😀 For this film, however, I did initially consider walking over and filming it, but I was too worried about carrying my expensive camera and dropping it! 😁 Also, I wasn't interested in walking to Severn Beach as I wanted to cover Beachley Point and Sedbury Cliffs. All the best 👍
@ thanks for your reply. Maybe put severn beach walk on your probable list of future walks, if your list is like mine it gets longer and longer😉
Thanks Mike, Severn Beach isn't on my list to do at any time I'm afraid. I'm more interested in covering locations on the opposite side of the river, which I have been doing throughout this year, and there are more to come that I have filmed since this one. My list is always getting longer and longer though, so I know what you mean! 😂
Beautiful Severn Bridge cud see you can walk a cross it how long is the Bridge Patrick Well done for your mum not for me up there lovely Walk Cheers
Thanks as always for watching. The crossing as a whole is about 2 miles long and you can walk and cycle across too. Yes I'm proud of my Mum for that, but no wouldn't have done it myself either👍
I think there is a story about Chapel Rock hosting an anchorite who may have taken a religious toll from travellers in medieval times before they rowed the rest of their journey across the Severn.
Another interesting walk but I wondered why you did not walk over The Severn Bridge.
Thank you for watching. I have added some notes in the video description as to why I drove over the bridge.
My dad used to drive a bus that picked up the bridge workers and he said that he had to walk over the cat walks on one occasion he said he was glad when the road section was in place😂
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Aswell as Bob Dylan, the beetles used the ferry once.
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Beachley is in Wales, not England. I remember travelling on the ferry in the 1950s.
@@frdavid755 Beachley is in the county of Gloucestershire, which is in England.
Very interesting Gordon, thank you. Would have been nice to have had you walk the bridge and not drive. All in all great.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching. I've put in the video description why I chose to drive over the bridge. My name's Patrick by the way 👍
@@solitaryrambler Sorry Patrick