Beauty at the Barrier
One is a hulking mass of steel. The other is a gentle spray of fluffy, lavender blue blossoms. They are in the same tiny corner of London.
The man-made structure defends the capital from floods, while the flowers perhaps have less practical uses. But they are both beautiful and photogenic, in very different ways.
The Thames Barrier sits sturdily in a corner of south-east London, a might of engineering which some might consider an unnatural blot on the riverscape.
But next to the Barrier, a wonderfully sculpted garden sits, and is full of blooms and nature’s colourful bounty.
More photographs will be published here soon. In the meantime, which of these beauties do you prefer?
mikeosbornphoto 
I like both equally. Both are designed to perfection (I hope!) to fulfill a specific purpose and do so with beauty and grace. Funny thing though – the flowers will probably still be there long after the barrier has rotted away!
LikeLike
Thanks Noeline, yes, it’s quite possible. Although the barrier does an important job so I hope it remains for some time to come!
LikeLike
Too true! :)
LikeLike
I did some painting there a year or two ago – the garden is wonderful but the two together are a wonderful contrast!
LikeLike
That’s what struck me, Diana. A fantastic contrast and yet oddly a harmonious blend. I sense the garden was designed with this in mind.
LikeLike
I prefer nature to cities, so the flowers win for me. But both are nice photographs.
LikeLike
Thank you very much, Danita. There are some more (of both) to come shortly!
LikeLike