Ironbridge

On Sunday 14 February we went by motorhome to Ironbridge and parked in the yard of the old blast furnace, surrounded by the huge workshops. At the time we went through the historical development of this site in considerable detail, but I've forgotten it all.

What remains of the first 'modern' blast furnace to make iron is now about one third its original size and protected by that roof structure.

I think these brick pillars secured the waterwheel which powered a massive pump to blow air into bellows for the furness. It's like something on the scale of Rome.

Although to lower the tone, some nose-pickers have to put their sheds beneath the splendid railway arches.

Inside the museum areas we found modern-day products of Ironbridge. Aga stoves are made here. Why would the marketing department ever let anyone get away with calling their product 'standard'?
Never quite been able to see the point of the Aga - someone once told me it was "blind Swedish thrift".

And here's another gear wheel.