Aust

Travelling north from Somerset to Wales on the M48, one crosses the first suspension bridge crossing, opened by Elixabeth II in 1966 with the aid of her consort. As you cross to the far bank of the Severn, there is a sign: "Croeso i Gymru". If you go south, as you cross the other bank there is a sign "Welcome to England". There is much psychogeographical literature on the topic of liminal spaces - what could be more liminal than a long bridge in no country? Mike Parker discusses its symbolic importance, noting that after opening it HMQ was ferried to the north side to open that part of it too. Not, presumably, in Welsh.

Severn Bridge / Opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II / accompanied by / His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh / on 8th September 1966

The bridge is a thing of beauty - the south bank affords super views. It is also an odd thing, being superseded by the long, bigger and similarly beautiful M4 bridge downstream, which made it largely redundant.

There is a strict weight limit and speed limit on the bridge, suggesting it is not in the best of health. Several lanes are coned off, making the whole thing look rather pretty. One can see a future in which the Highways Authority see a quick way of saving some money ...

At the southern end is the Aust Service Station (now renamed "Severn View") which is open, but also carries a redundant feel. It regularly comes bottom of the list of all UK service stations for customer satisfaction (this alone makes it worth a visit). The whole area is strewn with bits and pieces suggesting it has just been forgotten:

Useful snow and ice warning (picture taken August 23rd)

It is possible to climb over this gate

Take your pick

We never got to the bottom of the unattended car park holding large numbers of brand new vehicles:

But it's not all 20th century ephemera: there is some super geology:

Further geological details can be read And the blackberry forage was to die for. Just not many people around to pick 'em, maybe.

The nearby village of Aust long predates the bridge, and may well long postdate it. It has an agreeable pub.