Preface

Wherever we go we seem to meet bridges. Mostly we tend to use them almost without noticing them, except when we see a particularly striking example like the suspension bridge over the river Tamar in Devon [Image] . Yet there is much that is worth seeing in even the humblest specimen if we know where to look and, perhaps, how to look.

So the aim of this book is to help you to enjoy looking at bridges, by explaining in simple language some features of their design and construction. Although the technical aspects will be treated gently, and the mathematical content will be such as not to frighten the non-mathematician, maybe the serious student, too, will find something of interest here.

It is particularly difficult to steer a course between being unduly and patronisingly detailed on the one hand and skipping too lightly over complex matters on the other. If I have erred in leaning too much one way here and there, if you find some of this rather repetitive, I do hope you will bear in mind that bridge-watchers come in all sizes and great variety.

There is no attempt to cover everything about bridges, just enough to make a bridge a more interesting object for you, or your camera, or your paint-box. I do hope it will help you to enjoy bridges, wherever you see them. They are such nice comfortable things to watch, especially when you know something about them.

As either a hobby or an intellectual pursuit bridge-watching has much to commend it, for people of all ages and persuasions. You don't have to pay a subscription. You can enjoy it on your own or in company, and weather is relatively unimportant. It doesn't need any special clothing or equipment. (If you like, you can use field glasses or cameras, and note-books; but they aren't essential). You need no training, no practice, no coaching. From all angles, bridge-watching is an attractive pastime, all over the world.

Go out and enjoy these fascinating structures. You may find them addictive, in the nicest possible way. I do hope so. 

E.W.J.