A paperback writer in Ironbridge?

“Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?”

“Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?”

April sunshine and Ironbridge Gorge. A perfect combination. 18th April 2023 (Author’s Collection).

With the return of the sunshine replacing the schizophrenic April showers came the easy decision to put aside the ten year old legal matter that shows no signs of abating and to give myself a break from re-reading and editing part one of my two part book, and travel once more back in time to the toytown of Ironbridge on the banks of the River Severn. Whilst the legal case has reared its ugly head once more I believe I’m actually in a winning position, a view clearly not shared by the legal representatives of the disaster capitalists who seem intent on making a layman’s life a living misery. It matters not. This layman beat the legal experts at their own game once, and I intend to do so again.

I also decided that with the sun high in the sky on an albeit cold April afternoon, I needed a break from the editing of a book that is as near publishing as it’s ever been. Kind suggestions abound since my plea for help over the weekend with a writer/publisher looking at my idea as we speak and if all else fails, I plan to self publish via Amazon KDP. The more I read and re-read it, the more I like it. Which is probably a bad sign.

Anyway, the six week countdown is on. Publish and be damned?

Maybe.

So we return to Ironbridge once more as frankly I never need a second invitation to visit my spiritual home. Jeremy, the owner of the wonderful “Old Fashioned Sweet Shop” was on fine form, as was his little pug dog named “Bear” who I obviously fussed over way too much! After meeting some incredibly friendly Australian tourists from Sydney who were visiting the “Grand Old Lady” of Ironbridge for the very first time, I left my friend with a bag of Mint Toffees, some “Kop Kops” (Aniseed delights with a soft centre), bubble-gum flavoured “Bon Bons” and some sour Cherry Cola bottles.

I may have turned a half century in age but I’ll resolutely always be a teenager!

I hope you enjoy this pictorial stroll around a World Heritage Site in the April sunshine, with all images captured by me, a perennial teenage dreamer sucking on a sour cherry Cola bottle.

“Paperback writer (paperback writer)

Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?
It took me years to write, will you take a look?
It’s based on a novel by a man named Lear
And I need a job
So I wanna be a paperback writer
Paperback writer”

The hungry ducks of Ironbridge who clearly approved of my bread today! If you follow the River Severn to the top of the picture as it narrows, you’ll see your first view of the world’s oldest iron bridge.

Taken from ostensibly a “viewing platform” that affords a beautiful higher view across the River Severn from Coalbrookdale through to Ironbridge itself.

Mid-way view of the riverside stroll between Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge.

Mid-way view full of reflections and back from whence we came.

Three final images as we approach the “Grand Old Lady” for the first time and there’s a break in traffic! Part 1.

Three final images as we approach the “Grand Old Lady” for the first time and there’s a break in traffic! Part 2.

Three final images as we approach the “Grand Old Lady” for the first time and there’s a break in traffic! Part 3.

“It’s a dirty story of a dirty man
And his clinging wife doesn’t understand
His son is working for the Daily Mail
It’s a steady job
But he wants to be a paperback writer
Paperback writer

Paperback writer (paperback writer)”

The world’s oldest iron bridge and my spiritual home, gleaming in the April sunshine.

“This bridge was cast at Coalbrookdale and erected in the year MDCCLXXIX”

View from the “New Bridge” that connects Ironbridge with nearby Jackfield. This view is heading back toward Ironbridge.

On the banks of the River Severn and opposite the “New Bridge” you’ll find “Ye Olde Robin Hood Inn”.

View from the “New Bridge” with the beautiful town of Jackfield hugging the riverbank and onward toward the famous town of Coalport a mile further along the river.

A favourite view of Ironbridge I affectionately call “Toytown” from one of the many trails that wind their way through the woods high above the riverbank.

A new favourite view of the “Grand Old Lady” of Ironbridge as seen from a nearby fishing “peg”. A quite picturesque backdrop for a spot of fishing!

“It’s a thousand pages, give or take a few
I’ll be writing more in a week or two
I could make it longer if you like the style
I can change it ‘round
And I wanna be a paperback writer
Paperback writer”

View from the centre of the iron bridge with the River Severn meandering back toward nearby Coalbrookdale.

Another view from the centre of the iron bridge and this time toward Jackfield and the famous town of Coalport.

A final full view of the “Grand Old Lady” who always looks a picture in a day of sunshine such as today.

High above Ironbridge and an image captured from the grounds of St Luke’s Church.

The beautiful chimes of St Luke’s Church are about strike once more. If you ever find yourself within earshot of the church bells, you’ll also find yourself transported to a different time and century.

“Erected in 1779” and my spiritual home for over 20 years.

Thanks for the memories, again, Ironbridge. I’ll see you soon.

“If you really like it you can have the rights
It could make a million for you overnight
If you must return it you can send it here
But I need a break
And I wanna be a paperback writer
Paperback writer

Paperback writer (paperback writer)”

Thanks for reading. There are a wealth of articles within my “UK Travel” library here. Here are links to three of the most recently published examples:

Playing tourist guide in Toytown
Life’s little pleasures.medium.com

Sunshine after the rain in beautiful Ironbridge
“Sail on silver girl. Sail on by”.medium.com

Easter in the sunshine of Shrewsbury
Historic market town springing into bloom.medium.com