Rakewood Viaduct is a 140ft and spans a section of the M62 between Milnrow & Saddleworth Moor
In need of some more exercise for my foot, myself and one half of The_Collective went for some rope action this afternoon on your motorway bridges....
Monday, 28 March 2011
Rakewood Viaduct
Climbing your bridgeZ...
Rakewood Viaduct is a 140ft and spans a section of the M62 between Milnrow & Saddleworth Moor
In need of some more exercise for my foot, myself and one half of The_Collective went for some rope action this afternoon on your motorway bridges....
Rakewood Viaduct is a 140ft and spans a section of the M62 between Milnrow & Saddleworth Moor
In need of some more exercise for my foot, myself and one half of The_Collective went for some rope action this afternoon on your motorway bridges....
Thursday, 24 March 2011
The Crystal Maze
And now for something completely different...
Myself and two thirds of The_Collective went for a mooch one evening in search of new underground places.
We came across a curious manhole which eventually led us a good 40ft down into this underground maze of concrete tunnels & chambers.
A series of connecting voids underneath a large stretch of motorway, seemingly used to monitor structural integrity from the foundations up.
Although repetitive, it was quite interesting to see, so much so we returned a couple of days later to check out another section we had previously been unable to access.
"Welcome To The Crystal Maze" had been etched onto the wall by the access point, probably by one of the construction workers or possibly a structural engineer...
Myself and two thirds of The_Collective went for a mooch one evening in search of new underground places.
We came across a curious manhole which eventually led us a good 40ft down into this underground maze of concrete tunnels & chambers.
A series of connecting voids underneath a large stretch of motorway, seemingly used to monitor structural integrity from the foundations up.
Although repetitive, it was quite interesting to see, so much so we returned a couple of days later to check out another section we had previously been unable to access.
"Welcome To The Crystal Maze" had been etched onto the wall by the access point, probably by one of the construction workers or possibly a structural engineer...
Down we go
Connecting passageways
One of many chambers, some of which were flooded, resulting in yet another soaking as we mooched about
Mandem
A return visit led us through more passageways and chambers, only to come to an abrupt end
Barrow Bridge Chimney, Bolton
An afternoon mooch with Oldskool...
Built 1863, The chimney was part of the power system of the nearby Halliwell Bleach Works.
The works were founded by Peter Ainsworth in 1739, and acquired a reputation in the early 19th Century for the early use of chlorine gas in the bleaching process, under the direction of Richard Ainsworth.
The chimney is now the principal surviving relic of the bleach works.
Aged 17 Fred Dibnah climbed the 262-foot (80 m) chimney at Barrow Bridge, for a 10 shilling bet. During the night he took two Union flags to the top and secured each to the lightning conductors there.
The Bolton Evening News reported the incident, with a photograph of Dibnah's feat, but attributed it to the activities of students from Manchester University.
He has since maintained the chimney, carrying out significant repairs in 1996.
The chimney was last inspected in 2007, sadly not by Fred who passed away in 2004 - R.I.P
I had wanted to look at this for a while now, but time was always against me, so whilst in the area today with Oldskool, we decided to check out the chimney and it's flue.
Now I was told it was grimey, but fuck me I've never encountered anything as filthy as this place, and believe me I have been in some real shit holeZ :D
The main flue splits from the base of the chimney and runs for about 80M where it's now backfilled before reaching the demolished bleach works.
It was great to see the brickwork, and infact I'm astounded the place hasn't collapsed, but then why would it, these structures were always over engineered.
We grabbed a few shots having struggled through before returning to civilisation where I now looked like the ace of spades!
Despite a good hosing down, and 2 showers I cannot get this soot off me FFS...Grrr
I looked like Sooty & Sweep amongst other things by the time we got out.
Built 1863, The chimney was part of the power system of the nearby Halliwell Bleach Works.
The works were founded by Peter Ainsworth in 1739, and acquired a reputation in the early 19th Century for the early use of chlorine gas in the bleaching process, under the direction of Richard Ainsworth.
The chimney is now the principal surviving relic of the bleach works.
Aged 17 Fred Dibnah climbed the 262-foot (80 m) chimney at Barrow Bridge, for a 10 shilling bet. During the night he took two Union flags to the top and secured each to the lightning conductors there.
The Bolton Evening News reported the incident, with a photograph of Dibnah's feat, but attributed it to the activities of students from Manchester University.
He has since maintained the chimney, carrying out significant repairs in 1996.
The chimney was last inspected in 2007, sadly not by Fred who passed away in 2004 - R.I.P
I had wanted to look at this for a while now, but time was always against me, so whilst in the area today with Oldskool, we decided to check out the chimney and it's flue.
Now I was told it was grimey, but fuck me I've never encountered anything as filthy as this place, and believe me I have been in some real shit holeZ :D
The main flue splits from the base of the chimney and runs for about 80M where it's now backfilled before reaching the demolished bleach works.
It was great to see the brickwork, and infact I'm astounded the place hasn't collapsed, but then why would it, these structures were always over engineered.
We grabbed a few shots having struggled through before returning to civilisation where I now looked like the ace of spades!
Despite a good hosing down, and 2 showers I cannot get this soot off me FFS...Grrr
As Fred would say "Did you like that" - Well actually on this occasion did I fooK!
I looked like Sooty & Sweep amongst other things by the time we got out.
PS - If you go here, I recommend shorts & T-shirt :D
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Tempus Tower, Manchester
Finally...
Tempus is a 20 storey tower comprising 146 apartments, offering decent panoramic views of Manchester.
Last time I attempted this place it was seriously pissing down so I aborted as there was no chance of getting any decent pics that night.
I returned with Oldskool, who also had a brief encounter with this place a while back.
A chilled one this, and the views were definately worth the wait.
Tempus is a 20 storey tower comprising 146 apartments, offering decent panoramic views of Manchester.
Last time I attempted this place it was seriously pissing down so I aborted as there was no chance of getting any decent pics that night.
I returned with Oldskool, who also had a brief encounter with this place a while back.
A chilled one this, and the views were definately worth the wait.
Monday, 21 March 2011
Top Of The Tower, Blackpool
Present Ojay, Gone & Millhouse.
A £10m refurbishment programme is well underway on the 113 year old landmark, including major changes to Levels 4 & 5.
We originally went to see what all the fuss was about back in August last year, which seemed to cause a bit of a shit storm
Back then we only climbed to 380ft, just underneath the 'Walk Of Faith'
It was a memorable occasion, yet despite our efforts it wasn't the top.
I swore I would never go back here, but since August I have not stopped thinking about reaching that magical 518ft and kissing the flagpole :D
Fast forward 7 months and temptation got the better of me, up popped Blackpool Tower on the news, followed by pictures of Millhouse & Sho elsewhere at the top.
What a headfuck, do I don't I?
I called up Gone who seemed more than keen to climb to the top, so we hastily met up with Millhouse and off we went.
The ascent was a lot trickier than last time and took a lot longer to get up, but once up the views were amazing, despite the low cloud which we were now high above spoiling your views.
We each climbed the flagpole for a few shots, then had a mooch about the viewing platform and headed back down, grabbing a couple of shots halfway and just above the base of the tower before legging it back to the car.
It's a strange feeling finally being stood up there amongst the seagulls & clouds, one of which I will never forget.
Respect to everyone who has made it up there.
A £10m refurbishment programme is well underway on the 113 year old landmark, including major changes to Levels 4 & 5.
We originally went to see what all the fuss was about back in August last year, which seemed to cause a bit of a shit storm
Back then we only climbed to 380ft, just underneath the 'Walk Of Faith'
It was a memorable occasion, yet despite our efforts it wasn't the top.
I swore I would never go back here, but since August I have not stopped thinking about reaching that magical 518ft and kissing the flagpole :D
Fast forward 7 months and temptation got the better of me, up popped Blackpool Tower on the news, followed by pictures of Millhouse & Sho elsewhere at the top.
What a headfuck, do I don't I?
I called up Gone who seemed more than keen to climb to the top, so we hastily met up with Millhouse and off we went.
The ascent was a lot trickier than last time and took a lot longer to get up, but once up the views were amazing, despite the low cloud which we were now high above spoiling your views.
We each climbed the flagpole for a few shots, then had a mooch about the viewing platform and headed back down, grabbing a couple of shots halfway and just above the base of the tower before legging it back to the car.
It's a strange feeling finally being stood up there amongst the seagulls & clouds, one of which I will never forget.
Respect to everyone who has made it up there.
Going Up
Halfway
Viewing Platform
'Walk Of Faith'
The Only Way Is Up
View From The Top
...Finally - 518ft, fuck it's high up here
Shouts to Millhouse for hitting this 4 times, Gone for FisheyeZ and to everyone who made it up
Friday, 18 March 2011
Piccadilly Station Air-Raid Shelter (Remains)
Below the streets of Manchester....
Manchester Corporation issued it's first list of designated public air-raid shelters in August 1939, under the Civil Defence Act.
It was estimated that around 500 shelters would be required for 100,000 people.
3 such Second World War air-raid shelters once occupied space underneath the now Manchester Picadilly Station.
All owned by L M & S Railway they had a combined capacity of 1275.
There is very little left of the shelters having had a mooch below street level the original entrance is sealed, with a further 2 sections bricked up and no longer accessible.
The only real features that remain are a Wardens Post, sealed Exit To Street Level, Ladies & Gents Toilets, remnants of Original Lighting and Signage.
Manchester Corporation issued it's first list of designated public air-raid shelters in August 1939, under the Civil Defence Act.
It was estimated that around 500 shelters would be required for 100,000 people.
3 such Second World War air-raid shelters once occupied space underneath the now Manchester Picadilly Station.
All owned by L M & S Railway they had a combined capacity of 1275.
There is very little left of the shelters having had a mooch below street level the original entrance is sealed, with a further 2 sections bricked up and no longer accessible.
The only real features that remain are a Wardens Post, sealed Exit To Street Level, Ladies & Gents Toilets, remnants of Original Lighting and Signage.
Blueprint - (Greater Manchester County Record Office)
Passage Way
Remnants Of Original Lighting & Signage
Wardens Post
Ladies Toilets
Emergency Exit
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