Bridge of Clay and the Pont du Gard

@JudyEv (325759)
Rockingham, Australia
November 24, 2021 10:11pm CST
I’ve just finished reading ‘Bridge of Clay’ by Markus Zusak. He also wrote ‘The Book Thief’ which has won several awards and was made into a film. In ‘Bridge of Clay’, there are mentions of the Pont du Gard aqueduct bridge. It was built by the Romans in the first century AD to carry water over 50 km (31 mi) to Nîmes. There are three tiers of arches and the aqueduct is 48.8 m (160 ft) high. It carried an estimated 40,000 m3 (8,800,000 imp gal) of water a day to the fountains, baths and homes of citizens living in Nîmes. It is now a World Heritage site. When we were touring France, we came across the Pont du Gard by chance. It is a highly developed tourist site now and there were many people there swimming and canoeing in the river Gardon which the bridge spans. The photo was taken by Vince, my husband.
14 people like this
13 responses
@LadyDuck (458085)
• Switzerland
25 Nov 21
As I looked at the photo I thought "this looks like a Roman aqueduct", I see I was right, they are built all with the same technique. Congratulations to Vince, this is a very good photo.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Nov 21
Thanks. The Romans were everywhere in those days, weren't they? And they had such sophisticated techniques.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458085)
• Switzerland
25 Nov 21
@JudyEv The ancient Romans were incredibly good and they had great engineers for sure. Things changed during those centuries. (I imagine you do not know that Milanesi do not like Romans at all - I am a Milanese)
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Nov 21
@LadyDuck No, I didn't know that. They talk about Romans as opposed to saying 'Italians', don't they? But, like them or not, you can't deny their cleverness.
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
25 Nov 21
ah reading is such a delight! They sound wonderful! I am working through "Lies my teacher told me"
3 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Nov 21
His guy's books are a bit 'different'. I might read it again. I'm sure I'd get lot more from it next time around.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Nov 21
@DocAndersen For me, the first time I'm anxious to find out 'what happens next'. But knowing what happens next makes it all makes sense second time around - especially with a book like this which is a bit hard to follow at times.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
25 Nov 21
@JudyEv those are the best books, the ones where you think about it for a long time, then have to reread it!
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45487)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
25 Nov 21
Impressive looking structure.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Nov 21
It takes your breath away when you first see it.
1 person likes this
@Nawsheen (28644)
• Mauritius
25 Nov 21
I would love to visit the place one day. Seems to be a great tourist attraction
2 people like this
@Nawsheen (28644)
• Mauritius
26 Nov 21
@JudyEv The perfect place to be in summer
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Nov 21
It is indeed. There were a lot of people there the day we were there. It was hot and many were swimming.
2 people like this
@rebelann (111164)
• El Paso, Texas
25 Nov 21
Awesome shot of a historical wonder. Those Romans were ingenious.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Nov 21
It's amazing what they were able to achieve and virtually all over the world.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111164)
• El Paso, Texas
25 Nov 21
Well, most of the known world at least, I doubt they encountered the Chinese at any time.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Nov 21
@rebelann That's very true. But even getting as far as York and Vienna was pretty incredible.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156159)
• United States
25 Nov 21
Great photo. It's amazing that the bridge is still standing.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Nov 21
They made things to last back then.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (137215)
• Philippines
25 Nov 21
I have not read it but it is worth a try soon.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Nov 21
It is very different to many books. I didn't find it that easy to read really.
2 people like this
@Fleura (29129)
• United Kingdom
25 Nov 21
That's an amazing aqueduct isn't it? I wonder how many of our modern constructions will still be standing in 2,000 years?
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29129)
• United Kingdom
26 Nov 21
@JudyEv They certainly did. And the rich among them put even modern billionaires in the shade.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Nov 21
Not too many, I would think. One of the Roman emperors was crowned in York, Yorkshire. They certainly got around.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (94512)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
25 Nov 21
I like this story of the Bridge Of Clay. I learned something.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Nov 21
I'm glad you liked it. Thanks.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (94512)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
25 Nov 21
@JudyEv You are welcome.
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (17849)
• London, England
26 Nov 21
Love this type of thing. Should we, from the UK, ever be allowed in France again, this is something I want to see
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Nov 21
France is full of amazing stuff as are most countries I guess. We loved travelling around France.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (76476)
• Germany
25 Nov 21
Wow! What a beautiful photo! I love it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Nov 21
It is a very impressive structure.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (76476)
• Germany
1 Dec 21
@JudyEv Yes, it is.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
25 Nov 21
Interesting! And great photo! Thanks for sharing
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Nov 21
It would probably be hard to take a bad photo of it! lol It's quite something.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
26 Nov 21
@JudyEv It seems quite photogenic at that
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34356)
26 Nov 21
Those Romans are some architects, weren't they? Quite an impressive structure!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Nov 21
It's amazing how sophisticated they were in many respects.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34356)
1 Dec 21
@JudyEv Yes indeed!
1 person likes this