Footpath over the Orwell Bridge ?

[Seashoreman]

On a recent visit to my sister in mid-Portugal I spent a couple of days wandering the streets of Porto. Went down a street and found myself on the Sao Joao Bridge.
After getting to the point of no return I toyed with the idea of dodging oncoming trains sooner than going anywhere near the steel rail protecting me from a flying finish. I think my legs almost collapsed. Eventually walked back on the lower level and headed for a bar.
Fear of heights seems to have progressed with age. I remember staying in a mountain top village in Gran Canaria, went climbing around, eased along a ledge around a corner and realised I was standing precariously above a sheer drop, eased my way back. Been up a mast or two. Nowadays even the Monument in London gives me the butterflies. I seriously wonder if its related to decades of living in the flatlands of Suffolk where they call places hills and cliffs and they are mere bumps.

 

[johnalison]

Reminds me that when we were young my sister was always distressed when we used the Woolwich Ferry (in the family motorbike and sidecar), as you could see through the perforated steel decks of the access ramps heights to the water below, while I loved being able to see it.

To this day I'm very fearful of falling from heights, and disturbed by the possibility whether in real life, images in films, or in my dreams. I guess the ferry ramps didn't bother me because it was a relatively modest height, together with it being water rather than solid ground below.

Like you, I find uplifting the view from heights such as bridges, church towers and other high buildings, high cliffs, etc, but I have to have a solid wall, guardrail or plenty of distance between me and the 'edge'.

I saw an item about that inner voice that says”What’s to stop me from jumping?” when we stand near an edge. According to what I read, the presence of this disturbing thought is actually the body’s way of preventing us from jumping. I can see how this might be the case but I wish I could believe it.

 

[westhinder]

Like you, I find uplifting the view from heights such as bridges, church towers and other high buildings, high cliffs, etc, but I have to have a solid wall, guardrail or plenty of distance between me and the 'edge'.

Do not go near the Preikestolen in Norway then. It is an overhanging rock with a 600 m sheer drop to the fjord and no guardrail.

 

[LittleSister]

I saw an item about that inner voice that says”What’s to stop me from jumping?” when we stand near an edge. According to what I read, the presence of this disturbing thought is actually the body’s way of preventing us from jumping. I can see how this might be the case but I wish I could believe it.

I don't think that applies to me (though who knows what my unconscience is up to!) . It's the accidentally falling that troubles me greatly.

 

[LittleSister]

Do not go near the Preikestolen in Norway then. It is an overhanging rock with a 600 m sheer drop to the fjord and no guardrail.

If I was anywhere near such a drop, I'd have to be on my belly, but if I knew it was overhanging I very much doubt I'd even do that.

Think I'd be very satisfied with the view from where the photographer was standing.

 

[johnalison]

This drop was about 5000', in the Simien mountains.. Possibly the daftest thing I've ever done. The 'bridge' across was about a yard wide.

 

[Frayed Knot]

I don't think that applies to me (though who knows unconscience is up to!) . It's the accidentally falling that troubles me greatly.

It’s the accidentally hitting the ground at speed that bothers me more.