Follow The Foss - 1 - Blue Bridge to Castle Mills Bridge

Over the coming days I plan to meander along York's second river the River Foss.Journeying on foot I plan to take a photograph at approximately every 100 paces to show the changing scenery and character of the river. In some places where no path is available it will be necessary to make a small diversion around obstacles and rejoin the river as the earliest opportunity.  Starting from the confluence of the Foss and the larger Ouse the route will proceed upstream through the city centre and out of the city towards Huntington. In general the photographs will be looking upstream along the river in the direction of travel except when following a diversion around an obstacle or when an interesting downstream opportunity presents itself..

Blue Bridge a hand cranked lifting bridge.

Foss barrier flood prevention scheme

Approaching Foss Basin and Castle Mills lock with Castle Museum in background

Foss basin with Castle Museum in background, the locks can be seen to the right of the picture.

 Castle Mills lock

Castle Mills bridge is the first diversion away from the river, turning left at the top of the steps beside the lock follow the footpath to the end of the railings and then cross the road at the earliest opportunity, traffic permitting. Continue away from the river aournd the Law Courts and Castle Museum building.

View Follow The Foss in a larger map

To be continued

Blue Bridge fromTerry Avenue

This is the view across the River Ouse towards Blue Bridge where the River Foss joins the River Ouse. The River water level is high though not in flood. When there are high levels of rainfall in the Yorkshire dales the water becomes heavy with peat, hence the brown colouration of the water.

Blue Bridge

Built in 1895, Blue Bridge replaced the previous bridge built in 1738. The bridge stands at the mouth of the River Foss where it joins the River Ouse. Note two fishermen sitting at the side of the Foss. The bridge is located just beyond the Foss barrier and pumping station.

There is gear for lifting the bridge but I don't know if it has been used in the recent past. The paint on the teeth looks far too pristine to me.

River Foss behind Piccadily

Behind the rather run down area Piccadily, that includes the second most ugly building of York, Ryedale House. The lines of decay and ugliness are softened by the willow trees along the bank as the river runs along the final stretch before meeting the River Ouse at Blue Bridge.