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Thursday 19 April 2018

A-Z Challenge 2018 - British Rivers: Quin, Quaggy

After the River Piddle we come to two more quaint names for small English rivers, this time beginning with 'Q'.

The River Quin in Hertfordshire has had the charm of its riverside described, even where the river is little more than a brook as one which  "idles its sluggish life away in lazy liberty, without turning a solitary spindle, or affording even water power enough to grind the corn that grows upon its banks."  (Highways & Byways of Hertfordshire 1910)


River Quin near Braughing
This shot was taken c 300m upstream from where it joins the River Rib. The area is prone to severe flooding and in 1922 a donkey and cart were swept away at Sheep's Lane Ford.

In Braughing itself, a former Roman settlement, another ford crosses the road.

Ford at Braughing
It's hard to imagine floods here!

If you should ever visit the village make sure you try the pork sausages which it is famous for.

The River Quaggy is only 11 miles long and runs through the London Boroughs of Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham. It joins the River Ravensbourne near Lewisham Station.

River Quaggy - London
The river has been extensively re-engineered in Chinbrook Meadows and Sutcliffe Park to create a meandering flood plain. The river may look tame in photos but on occasions it turns nasty - flooding after prolonged rains.

River Quaggy in Manor House Gardens, Lee
The Quaggy name - probably derives from 'quagmire'. Sounds appropriate to me.

Photo attributions:
  • River Quinn near Braughing: 25 November 2007 ex geograph.org.uk by Nigel Cox - CC BY-SA 2.0 licence
  • Ford at Braughing: 4 May 2013, ex geograph.org.uk by Bikeboy - CC BY-SA 2.0 licence
  • River Quaggy - London: 24 March 2008 by Paultoff - Free Art Licence - Public Domain
  • River Quaggy in Manor House Gardens, Lee: 15 September 2008 ex geograph.org.uk by Dr Neil Clifton - CC BY-SA 2.0 licence



6 comments:

Anne Young said...

The rivers look very gentle in your pictures. Hard to imagine anyone being swept away.

Visiting from A to Z
Regards
Anne
https://ayfamilyhistory.com/2018/04/19/q-is-for-queenie/

Wendy said...

In Rockingham County, Virginia, there are several "rivers" or SOMETHING that cross the road just like the Quin. I guess on most days a bridge might be considered "overkill."

Shirley Corder said...

I just love these photos. Lovely post.

Kristin said...

The banks of this river remind me of my yard. If I only had a river running through it. Not one that sweeps away donkeys and carts though.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Bob - love the Quin and the Rib ... and the village Braughing ... but the Quaggy is a delightful name - and to think there is a river called that ... and I'm sure you're right re evolving from quagmire ... fascinating - cheers Hilary

Jo said...

It amazes me, the Quaggy was in my neck of the woods and yet I had not heard of it. Love the picture of Braughing, so typically English. Sausages eh? Now you're talking.