Ironbridge

Having lived in England for nearly 2 years now, I have not seen even a morsel of what is in this country....small as it is. I must admit though, I have come to love certain areas more than others...even if I haven't seen very many. I have come to adore another small village in our travels.
Probably because it is in my favorite area...Shropshire. There is something so familiar and comfortable about it there. Perhaps because it was one of the first areas I experienced, perhaps because my in-laws are there...who knows?

Recently, Matt took me to the village of Ironbridge. This is the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. In my mind, not an outstanding claim to fame, but it is not at all what that name states. THE Ironbridge was the first arch bridge made of cast iron in the world. any interest can be found here or elsewhere: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Iron_Bridge

It is a lovely, sleepy little town Such a pristine area, the River Severn, trees, parks....and 4 huge, ominous cooling towers. Matt thought they were 'cool'..(no pun intended)...I felt them to be 'eerie'. In the nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl sense. My mind works a bit heavily at times. Coal processing for electricity makes it the second biggest polluter in Great Britain...though walking through this beautiful area, you would never know it. Even the park near the towers is glorious and clean...complete with flowered arch as you enter. How quaint....and surreal....

Nevermind...the shops are cute, the streets and walkways pleasant. Well...any town with a big bear dressed as a Beef Eater has to be good right?