Happy Birthday, Bridge!

6th August, Hiroshima + 61 years. The whole world knows.
But who outside of Portugal knows that 6th August this year also marks the 40th birthday of this bridge which is the only one linking central Lisbon with the South Bank?
It stood alone until 1998, when Vasco da Gama was opened,with even faster routes to the South and West to Spain.
Before 1966, incredibly, the working class who had to come across to the north where the city is concentrated only had ferry boats as the means of commuting. Tens of thousands ofworkers, every day. To me, it is unimaginable that this could have been accepted as normal such a short time ago.
The dictator finally got around to having this prestigious project conceived and completed. In honour of the achievement, it was duly named after him, the Salazar Bridge.
8 years later, the revolution swept his regime away and the bridge was renamed, Ponte 25 de Abril, after the day of the Revolution.
In the last few years, trains have been added, which run under the roads, making a much more civilised journey. However, 160,000 vehicles continue to cross theRiver Tejo on this bridge.
It is such a dramatic landmark, owing not a little to San Francisco's Golden Gate, that I have made the mosaic to show it from 7.30 in the morning to 11 at night.
Then, a view from the south side, next a sunset (not sepia) from the fishermen's quay on that side..................and last of all, the enduring image of my favourite way of crossing, the old ferry. 65 euro-cents for 12 minutes of fresh air, romance and superb views all round.
Parabens à você, Ponte 25 de Abril!