Our Richmond View vs. Their Richmond View

Richmond expatriates Jennifer and James are living in Scotland and have recently visited and photographed the bend in the river at Richmond-Upon-Thames near London and posted on their blog "Bagpipe Fever."

Now, there are people that argue that a condo building will not mar the view here in River City, and others that question what constitutes a historic view, and still others that say the view that William Byrd mused upon from Libby Hill is not really the same view as the one in England.

I took some pictures from that vantage point a few years ago on a bike ride knowing that someday I would need them to prove that the "legend" was true. That day has come. The picture on the left is courtesy of Bagpipe Fever and the right is the one from Libby Hill Park.















There are some that say this is not even close to similar and to that I say Humbug.

You must remember back in the early 1700's it took a month or so to get across the Atlantic. William Byrd must have shivered at this view that looked so much like home and the thought of being so close after such an arduous journey must indeed have been striking.

I find it fitting that a fellow Richmonder now living in the land of the heavy ales and even heavier currency posts their view from their Richmond to allow me to post my view from our Richmond.

Quite a quid pro quo.

Whatever you think about the future of Echo Harbor or who or what defines a historic view, you take a look at these views and kinda believe that William Byrd knew what he was talking about.
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