This was one of the strangest canal bridges that I've come across. It takes the M6 motorway over the canal, and feels more like an underground tunnel than a bridge as it is so wide. The distance of the tunnel being the width of the motorway if you see what I mean. I've tried to show this in the shot and also the way that when you are halfway in, you are surrounded by encroaching blackness. Complete blackness feels very strange, very inflicted when moments before you were in sure-footed sunlight. It's an odd sensation, you're not ready for it as it appears to fold uninvited around you. I could barely see what my feet were doing and I don't normally mind the dark in the least, yet this felt different. It probably had something to do with not being able to clearly differentiate the edge of the canal from the safety of the path.
Also, what I can't show is the massive noise under there. Unsettling is an understatement, it was such a strange gutteral sound of the mass of the cars and lorries passing furiously overhead. And was made even more eerie by a single, open grated vent (about halfway through like a dungeon window) through which the combined sound of the passing traffic and the wind above was channeled down in a cold rush of air. I stood under the grate, and listened to it, and something inside me felt like I shouldn't be there. It was like looking up at some monster, only to instantly get a powerful instinct to run and get away from it as soon as possible. If it hadn't been for that picturesque bridge in the distance that I wanted to photograph I'd probably have turned back as I'd had enough of being under there in its clutches.
Hard to explain, but it was all the more freaky walking there by myself. (sooc)
Wow, I had a great time reading your description. I guess I've always been attracted to spooky stories and stuff. That's an awesome shot. The light looks very, very inviting.
There is a tunnel in Norwalk, Wisconsin that is a mile long and is not lighted except at night. Bikers have to walk their bikes it's entire length and there is a definite need for a flashlight as it is completely black and very very disturbing walking it. I walked it by myself in the middle of the day with NO flashlight thinking the light at the entrance and exit would be enough. I was completely wrong. You get 10 feet and suddenly it's the inside of a dragons mouth in there. Let us just say that I had a sudden urge to call my mommy and suck my thumb. The worst part was that you get halfway in and realize you have the same distance to cover no matter what you decide to do at this point. I opted to turn back around since pushing on only meant I had to do it again when I decided to go back home. Yeah, NO WAY. The sound of dripping water in the tunnel did little to soothe my fears and the little cut in side sections of the bridge gave an impression of things just off to the side you could not see staring at you. That bridge would be perfect for a Halloween Horror Walk.
I understand completely how you felt. I wish I had been there to, at the very least, hold your hand. You realize I am snuggling you Psychically though right?
A very descriptive post Matt & I could just nearly imagine what it was like, I don't think I would have dared venture in !!! You would be lucky not to fall in the canal besides the width of the bridge & all that noise ! It is surprisingly low too very claustrophobic !! You did well !
I understand completely how you felt. I wish I had been there to, at the very least, hold your hand. You realize I am snuggling you Psychically though right?