Garden Bridges
Puppy on Middle Bridge
Even if my garden bridges tend to be functional, rather than decorative, I still think they're beautiful! I'm lucky to have a straight stretch of water running right through my garden.
Several wooden footbridges span this water race, and they're absolutely essential in order to cross over the water. Cats may enjoy leaping across, dogs may delight in getting their feet and tummies wet, but older-lady gardeners certainly don't!
The Moosey bridges have been fixed landmarks in the development of the waterside gardens. Unlike paths, bridges cannot be shifted, so the borders have grown around them, and stayed, permanent garden settlements. Obviously one garden can only sensibly contain a finite number of bridges. But I'm sure I could find watery room somewhere for a Monet replica...
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The Water Race...
- The Water Race is a man-made irrigation canal, flowing right through the Moosey property behind the house. It's like a small burbling stream, but it's dead straight, with smooth river stones on the bottom. The water is used for irrigation and stock.
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Footbridges in the Woods...
- The Wattle Woods now has a forever-flowing little wriggling stream. Non-Gardening Partner has built me two little curved footbridges for easy crossing from side to side. Can bridges be beautiful? Oh, yes - these two certainly are!
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Willow Bridge...
- Willow Bridge is a new Moosey bridge, spanning the water race near the willow tree stump. It's a wooden construction, strong and simple - not exactly what I'd ordered, but I love it.
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New Car Bridge...
- Finally Car Bridge has been rebuilt properly. Men and machinery have been busy working for three days, in the depths of winter, laying concrete pipes and filling in the bridge top with compacted gravel.
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The Plank...
- One of the bridges spanning the narrow water race is called 'The Plank'. That's exactly what it is - a plank of wood (originally two pieces on top of each other). It's basic, wobbly, and a real trap for the unwary visitor.
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Middle Bridge...
- As its name suggests, Middle Bridge crosses the water race close to the middle of the property. It must have been walked over and wheeled over a million times since first constructed.
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Rooster Bridge...
- Rooster Bridge is named after our first rooster. He was the subject of a university bonding and imprinting experiment, and came to live with us just when he was fully feathered. Rooster started off being a good gardening companion...
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Old Car Bridge...
- The car bridge takes the driveway over the water race down to the hay barn, the Hazelnut Orchard, and the back paddock where the sheep graze. This is the original bridge, which started sinking noticeably at one end. Eventually it had to be rebuilt.