Something a wee bit different this time and a spot that I've wanted to see for a long time, but never quite got round to it. Shout outs to Konrad for coming along and providing the drinks
There'd been talk about doing an explore and staying the night here for at least the past year. We originally intended to camp at another derelict structure, but we were worried about getting zapped by the then impending storm that was supposed to happen...but never did (useless Met Office donuts!)). After some faffing about on WhatsApp trying to motivate everyone, 4 of us soon boiled down to 2 of us and me and Konrad decided it was now or never and we agreed on the more sheltered locale of the tower battery
The plan was to 'clear' the place out, get up top, wait for tide to roll back in and then set up for the night. We got down just after low tide, but found that it took quite a while for the tide to come back up.
Hurry Up, Tide! by Slim Jim, on Flickr
We got set up anyway and waited for the tide to isolate us. We had a bit of a lay down and voila - time to wander around and take some pics!
Dodgy Stairs by Slim Jim, on Flickr
Wandering around and taking our time to look at things and climbing the Observation Post tower.
OP Tower by Slim Jim, on Flickr
The shell hoist lit with tea candles.
Shell Hoist by Slim Jim, on Flickr
High tide at about 0130. You don't wanna fall in the drink here!
High Tide by Slim Jim, on Flickr
Just before sunrise around 0510. We didn't sleep much because we were up all night exploring - but then nothing a good 6 hours on the sofa can't sort out!
Conrad is knackered by Slim Jim, on Flickr
The tide has receded from the mud and we start packing our gear up.
Sunrise by Slim Jim, on Flickr
At around 0600 we spot two people approaching from the walkway. They stand beneath the OP and stare at us for a few minutes and carry on. Conrad bumps into them and gives his trademark hello and thumbs up They seem alright and we carry on taking our pics. Here's the view from the top tier of the OP.
Observation Post Top Tier by Slim Jim, on Flickr
Underneath the barracks is an area with moorings.
Lower Level by Slim Jim, on Flickr
Chain from the remnants of an anti-submarine boom.
Anti-Sub Net Chain by Slim Jim, on Flickr
External. You can clearly see the watermark at the chain.
Prominent by Slim Jim, on Flickr
Final shot as we walked back to the car.
On The Way Out... by Slim Jim, on Flickr
Having free roam of this place all night and being cut off from the land was a strangely liberating feeling and one that I will not forget easily. The ships passing through, the waves crashing against the side of the structure and the ambient light surrounding us made this one chilled out explore! Good times indeed!
Thanks for looking.
There'd been talk about doing an explore and staying the night here for at least the past year. We originally intended to camp at another derelict structure, but we were worried about getting zapped by the then impending storm that was supposed to happen...but never did (useless Met Office donuts!)). After some faffing about on WhatsApp trying to motivate everyone, 4 of us soon boiled down to 2 of us and me and Konrad decided it was now or never and we agreed on the more sheltered locale of the tower battery
The plan was to 'clear' the place out, get up top, wait for tide to roll back in and then set up for the night. We got down just after low tide, but found that it took quite a while for the tide to come back up.
Hurry Up, Tide! by Slim Jim, on Flickr
We got set up anyway and waited for the tide to isolate us. We had a bit of a lay down and voila - time to wander around and take some pics!
Dodgy Stairs by Slim Jim, on Flickr
Wandering around and taking our time to look at things and climbing the Observation Post tower.
OP Tower by Slim Jim, on Flickr
The shell hoist lit with tea candles.
Shell Hoist by Slim Jim, on Flickr
High tide at about 0130. You don't wanna fall in the drink here!
High Tide by Slim Jim, on Flickr
Just before sunrise around 0510. We didn't sleep much because we were up all night exploring - but then nothing a good 6 hours on the sofa can't sort out!
Conrad is knackered by Slim Jim, on Flickr
The tide has receded from the mud and we start packing our gear up.
Sunrise by Slim Jim, on Flickr
At around 0600 we spot two people approaching from the walkway. They stand beneath the OP and stare at us for a few minutes and carry on. Conrad bumps into them and gives his trademark hello and thumbs up They seem alright and we carry on taking our pics. Here's the view from the top tier of the OP.
Observation Post Top Tier by Slim Jim, on Flickr
Underneath the barracks is an area with moorings.
Lower Level by Slim Jim, on Flickr
Chain from the remnants of an anti-submarine boom.
Anti-Sub Net Chain by Slim Jim, on Flickr
External. You can clearly see the watermark at the chain.
Prominent by Slim Jim, on Flickr
Final shot as we walked back to the car.
On The Way Out... by Slim Jim, on Flickr
Having free roam of this place all night and being cut off from the land was a strangely liberating feeling and one that I will not forget easily. The ships passing through, the waves crashing against the side of the structure and the ambient light surrounding us made this one chilled out explore! Good times indeed!
Thanks for looking.
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