The Off Topic Topic

[Josquius]

In local news:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-42702459

'Thomas Hardy' Wool Bridge collapses into River Frome

An Elizabethan bridge that features in Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles has partially collapsed and been washed away.

Cracks began to appear on the Grade II* listed Wool Bridge, which crosses the River Frome in Dorset, on Thursday.

Since then the wall foundation has "slumped" and been washed away, a county council spokeswoman said.

The bridge has been closed to traffic for many years, except for pedestrians and cyclists, she added.

The council hoped to put large bags of aggregate into the river on Friday to help stop further erosion to the walls and to prevent damage to the arches.

"The longer-term plan for repair will be to wait until summer when the conditions are better, dam the affected area off, to allow it to dry out and we can see what has happened," the spokeswoman added.

A bridge is first recorded to have crossed this point of the river in 1343, though it is thought the current structure was built in the 16th Century, according to Historic England.

It features in Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles due to its location next to Woolbridge Manor, the home of the d'Urberville family.

It was considered to be the best preserved Elizabethan bridge in Dorset.

edit:

Oh  and the location around T.E.Lawrence's grave is under threat from gravel extraction plans. 

100% original or has it been repaired in the centuries since it was built?
As impressive it lasted so long and sad it finally fell.

[mongers]

100% original or has it been repaired in the centuries since it was built?
As impressive it lasted so long and sad it finally fell.

Oh I think you'll find most of these bridges get repaired and remodelled several times down the centuries, just a degree of how much.

[Malthus]

100% original or has it been repaired in the centuries since it was built?
As impressive it lasted so long and sad it finally fell.

Oh I think you'll find most of these bridges get repaired and remodelled several times down the centuries, just a degree of how much.

Heh, I assume it is very much a "Ship of Theseus" situation ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_Theseus

[Josquius]

Something I need to ask a Christian.
Just what counted as a species for Noah's ark.
I mean, just imagine.
Scene: outside Noah's ark, the animals are filing in as it starts to rain

Noah: sorry, we've already got two elephants, you'll have to turn back
Elephant: two elephants? Where from?
Noah: kenya
Elephant: oh, we are Asian elephants, totally different thing you know.
Noah's son: two Indian elephants came in last night
Elephant: Indian? Pah, we are Thai elephants. Totally different thing.

[The Brain]

I don't think animals can talk, that part of the story seems a bit unrealistic.

[Eddie Teach]

Maybe they're Narnian elephants.

[Grey Fox]

...

Fucking Tyr.

[Maladict]

100% original or has it been repaired in the centuries since it was built?
As impressive it lasted so long and sad it finally fell.

Oh I think you'll find most of these bridges get repaired and remodelled several times down the centuries, just a degree of how much.

Heh, I assume it is very much a "Ship of Theseus" situation ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_Theseus

Stone bridges are pretty durable, a fair number of Roman and medieval bridges retain much of their original materials.
This one doesn't look like it has had a lot of renovations, apart from the brick arch at the end. Probably added as the river shifted its course.

[Josephus]

Something I need to ask a Christian.
Just what counted as a species for Noah's ark.

Psssst.....Jewish book.

[Valmy]

Something I need to ask a Christian.

Well obviously it is not meant to be taken literally. It is symbolic for any manufacturer of dairy products

[Malthus]

Stone bridges are pretty durable, a fair number of Roman and medieval bridges retain much of their original materials.
This one doesn't look like it has had a lot of renovations, apart from the brick arch at the end. Probably added as the river shifted its course.

Could be - though from the pictures, this one looks like it has a modern roadway laid over it. Presumably that would require some re-working of the bridge.

[Maladict]

Stone bridges are pretty durable, a fair number of Roman and medieval bridges retain much of their original materials.
This one doesn't look like it has had a lot of renovations, apart from the brick arch at the end. Probably added as the river shifted its course.

Could be - though from the pictures, this one looks like it has a modern roadway laid over it. Presumably that would require some re-working of the bridge.

Well yes, the road surface may wear away and have to be replaced every once in a while.

[Ed Anger]

Looks like I didn't miss much.

[Admiral Yi]

Still alive! I started to get worried when Before's black SS counters didn't elicit any comment from you.

[Ed Anger]

Still alive! I started to get worried when Before's black SS counters didn't elicit any comment from you.

Alexander got Captain Trips and was hospitalized. I was either home watching the the other kids or at Dayton Children's with Alex.