ThenewMendoza

It all comes back to me...

2009-09-05T00:13:00.002+01:00

...blogger has a problem displaying images hosted on photobucket. lol. Apologies for the crap formatting of the post below, I should really look into that this year.

M :->

Oh, hello there...

2009-09-04T23:16:00.004+01:00

...it's been a while since I posted anything here hasn't it? I have no good excuse other than laziness on my part. So, since November last year what have I been up to? Allsorts. That's what. Although I forget half of the places I've been, I should keep an online record or something shouldn't I...?

Here's a taste of some of the things I've done, by no means exhaustative, but a fair idea nonetheless. In no particular order of date either...

TG Green's in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, a cracking pottery stuffed full of stuff.

Planes, Drains and Automobiles, an interesting trip under Manchester Airport.

HSBC Bank in Manchester, stunning.

An enjoyable mooch around the Lafarge cement works in Hope, Derbyshire.

Thelwall Viaduct, most people drive over it, we walked under.

Llanwern Steelworks, a huge place in South Wales.

That'll do for now, there's been loads of other places, but as I said earlier, I'm lazy.

M :->

Yeah...I know...

2008-11-26T23:03:00.001Z

..I need an update. Coming soon. Honestly.

Mendo ;->

Getting it right and getting it wrong..

2008-10-08T22:44:00.008+01:00

I visited the Huddersfield Fine Worsted works the other day with SparkUK, it made for a nice evenings explore, despite the fact we were dodging security on a relatively small site. And it was raining, and dark and a bit cold too.

I only took one picture, just one single exposure, ISO 400, f5.o for 15 seconds. And it worked. That's the great thing about knowing what your lighting gear is capable of. I shot jpeg normal with two lights, one inside the pressure oven thingy with a red filter on, the other a plain white-ish led held to camera right. Result below.

Getting it wrong though are the security guards at Brunner Mond. Industrial explorer Tarboat was accosted recently on the towpath of the canal that runs past their Lostock works by one of their guards gesticulating that it wasn't legal to photograph the factory, needless to say, Tarboat himself put him in his place, rightly so, and even managed to get a picture of the chap looking uppity.

Outside the fence is outside your jurisdiction. Move along. For more of Tarboat's excellent pictures go here.

M ;->

The Beast of Stockport...

2008-10-02T09:50:00.008+01:00

Deep Silt. The dirtiest, stinking hole in the ground I've had the pleasure of exploring. From the outset this gloopy chamber of filth near pulls your legs from their sockets as slowly and steadily I made my first faltering steps into the unknown.

Deep Silt was named sometime in 2007 by Dodge and Havoc who made a rash and unprepared attempt, nearly losing Dodge in the process. When I looked at it around the same as them I didn't particularly like the look of it either, and ended up leaving it for the best part of 12 months.

Those 12 months soon flew by though and I found myself standing knee deep in the dark and quiet surrounds of the tunnel. Unsure what lay ahead, every footstep was preceeded with the prod of a stick, a deep breath and schluurrrrrrrppp as the mud released my foot. It went on like this for a long, long time. The filth was relentless.

And the tunnel was going downhill, away from the river. That was my theory of this being a long abandoned drain blown away.

Then, water, crystal clear and fresh as a daisy, I broke out the boat and set sail, punting myself along the walls by hand and by stick, I just prayed there were no underwater hazards likely to rip a hole in my dinghy. Cruising down the tunnel though, I came to an impass, where water meets roof, this was where my journey ended, for now.

Spinning the boat around and around and around I headed back from where I came, back through an 18inch gap crawling through mud and eventually back into the fresh air. I left Stockport filthy and confused.

Further research tells me this tunnel (and the wier beside it) was constructed around the turn of the 18th century to provide water power to one of the mills in Stockport town centre, it's actually called Stringer's Tunnel and should connect somewhere further beyond the impass to the Ancient Corn Tunnel, but that remains to be seen...

M :->

Crisp Delf mine...I banged me noggin...then saw doggers..

2008-09-15T17:56:00.006+01:00

..caught it a real cracker on an outcrop of rock, surprised it didn't bring the roof down I hit it that hard. I'm left with a slight cut and a lump for the memory, just goes to show why baseball caps aren't considered PPE.

Moving on though, this place is massive, the galleries and side chambers suck up light like a black hole, which is essentially what it is. Located in the Northern badlands of 'just near Wigan but not Wigan, or Skelmersdale but somewhere inbetween'. Couldn't tell you a thing about it though, beyond how big, dangerous and fun it is.

Bits of the roof were falling down around me as I was taking pics, not big bits of roof, but if enough of them decided to drop at once, Mendo would be skinnier than ever, kinda pancake thin. Something to think about that, pancakes.

Anywho, we (me, Bungle, Stoka, Bigjobs and Littlejobs) spent a good couple of hours mooching around taking in the sights and struggling to fill the place light. Was pretty good fun, apart from banging my head. Banging your head on something solid and immovable...well, I was always gonna come off second best.

Then we saw doggers.

M ;->

...so tired...

2008-09-12T16:43:00.003+01:00

...I am. Dunno why but this week I can hardly keep my eyes open. Came back from Wales on Sunday, back to work on Monday, Tuesday at Sal's and Wednesday picking up the pieces of a pointless argument.

Thursday was quiet and today I'm shattered. Don't seem to have done much recently, or at least I haven't taken that many pics recently. Me an Sal stopped off at St Mary's Halt in the Forest of Dean on the way back from Wales, thought it was an abandoned station when we drove past but it's actually used by a bunch of rail enthusiasts, made for a nice couple of hours chilled out mooching though.

And today the Theatre Royal, Hyde opened its doors for the Heritage Open Days. It's the third or fourth time I've visited over the years and I always enjoy having a look round this once grand theatre. It's in amazing condition considering it closed down in 1992, and from what I can gather it stands a good chance of being reopened within the next few years as well. Result.

M :->

For fucks sake.

2008-09-01T13:25:00.001+01:00

It's just the internet. Get over it.

M :->

I've been a lazy twat...

2008-08-28T22:45:00.003+01:00

..really I have. There's a world of difference between a blog and a website, people don't seem to expect a personal website to be updated quite so often as a blog, and this is one of the problem's with a blog, keeping it updated. Despite the fact I've been doing stuff I just haven't had the time or inclination to get stuff posted.

Anyway, with that said I'll give you a quick roundup of the shiz I've been up to over the last month or so, hopefully in the right order-ish. A three hour trip in Bunker, Warrington, disapointed to find some rather crude graffiti in there relating to a number of northwest explorers, ho-hum...

The Manchester drains meet, well, what started as a drains meet soon turned into a 'ooh, big mill, and a school' meet. Was a great day nonetheless and good to meet a few new faces from NWEX.

Had a return trip to The Works with Ric on the Bank Holiday Monday, did Inhospitable while we were there. Then a rooftop in the city centre with Bungle, I know, a rooftop ffs. Still, the views were nice lol

Followed by the 'catacombs' in Nottingham with Sal and Fairygirl, a quick mooch around the cemetery caves which were very reminiscent of the sandstone air raid shelters in Stockport.

I think that's the lot, if not, it'll do for now.

TnM :->

Third time lucky...

2008-08-21T19:22:00.006+01:00

..for anyone wondering what happened to northwestexploration it's gone. The new forum http://www.nwex.co.uk/ will be up and running shortly, with luck.

Now, we need to see if we can manage to keep a forum going for more than four months.

M :)

***EDIT*** Blogger is being a twat with the link above, just copy and paste it into your address bar.

Cathedral Steps, Manchester...Errrmm..

2008-08-01T03:07:00.003+01:00

It's difficult to think of a site that has caused more arguments, more aggro, more falling out and hassle than Cathedral Steps. Yeah, the access comes in two flavours, easy, or a bit harder. But I'm really struggling to understand why people have felt so protective over this one.

Fair play to Userscott and Stepping Lightly for their sterling efforts in finding a way in in the first place, it's pretty interesting to say the least, but for me, that was where the interesting bit ended. It's a fooked up old air raid shelter under the streets of Manchester, sure, there are some nice remnants left over from the Second World War, I liked those bits, the posters, signs and whatnot. But maybe I've missed the 'interesting boat', maybe I've seen too many pictures, too many 'reports'. Maybe I've seen too many online arguments and disagreements about who should and shouldn't be allowed to see it.

Maybe I've overdosed on Cathedral Steps, in the same vein as Fletcher's paper mill or High Royds Hospital. Maybe people are too keen to follow in the steps of others and follow them too soon and too often.

I'm not blazing a trail, far from it, just quietly working my way through things, Cathedral Steps is off the list and in my opinion, it really wasn't worth the wait.

Mendo :)

Works for me...lol

2008-07-29T16:35:00.004+01:00

A chance to escape from the baking streets of Manchester for an hour or two saw me taking in the many marvels of The Works storm sewer overflow in scally-central, Collyhurst.

The outfall is HUGE (with a capital HUGE) and you can't fail to be impressed by its size, I wonder if every other drain explorer had the same excited feeling as me when I first saw it in the flesh? 'Tis an amazing thing to leave lying around by the side of a river.

It's a feature packed place too, with bricked up tunnels, stairways, hugeness (did I mention hugeness?), bridges, bits you can climb, bits you can trip up on, and as an added bonus, it's nearly all brick!

Let's not go on, it's great, it's been explored by dozens of other people, it's a cracking drain and one that I wish I'd visited sooner.

M :->

Corn Brook, Manchester - Hardtothecore!

2008-07-27T17:07:00.004+01:00

Mention the Corn Brook amongst drainers and most people will say something along the lines of 'Siologen said it was the most hardcore drain in town' or something like that. We took two trips of around five hours each to traverse the 5.6km of underground river, from the Bridgewater Canal to Gorton, a winding course taking in Hulme, Moss Side and the city centre.

So much has changed on the surface in Manchester, but underneath it's much the same as Siologen first reported back in 2004. Crawling, stooping, clambering, stopping, starting you name it this drain has the lot. Knee-deep sections of sticky, stinking mud to shallow trickles of water.

On the first trip myself, SparkUK and Bigjobs headed upstream from the near the outfall, barely taking the time to grab any pictures (between us we took around half a dozen), intent on putting in the miles, but we made slow progress, and in five and a half hours we only made it as far as the university, a short cab ride took us back to the cars, exhausted.

A month later we met up again and popped the same manhole we'd emerged from four weeks before. This time we were better prepared and had a better idea of what lay ahead of us as we struck a course westwards. Deteremined to find the infall of this underground Everest.

Concrete dominates the downstream section of the Corn Brook as it winds its way towards the city centre, upstream though is an entirely different ballgame, red brick tunnels of all shapes and sizes, some of them are huge, some of them are stoopy, wet, crusty and crawling height. All of it is great fun though!

So, it was another five hour trip underground, this time with pictures and I think we all agreed, the second half is SO much better than the first.

Hardcore as fook though.

Mendo :->

Quick round-up, busy, busy, busy...

2008-07-21T17:40:00.004+01:00

Keeping myself busy as ever, more underground stuff as well as a three plus hour topside explore in Derbyshire. Tis fun.

First up, Pipemare in Halifax, only the first strollable section, the nasty looking stoopy bit didn't look too appealing for the solo-Mendo. A grand way to spend a Friday evening after work, could have wasted it getting drunk in the pub, but where's the fun in that?

The following day, what started out as 'let's have a quick look at that place in Clay Cross' soon became a three and a half hour explore round Clay Cross Foundry, having FairyGirl in tow and trying to keep her quiet made the whole thing errm, well interesting, especially when we wandered into the still live part.

Anyhow, more underground stuff to come later this week, just hope it's not as stoopy as the first part we did a month ago. ;->

TnM :->

Big Butts (talk about mudflaps...) - July 08

2008-07-15T02:03:00.007+01:00

Clocked by Bungle a couple of weeks ago this culvert of the River Roch looked well worthy of investigation. Sadly from Bungle's recce pics the water looked pretty deep, the reality was, after a couple of days of dry weather it was an easy walk into a massive pillared chamber.

The culvert is actually made up of seven bridges spanning the Roch under Rochdale town centre, seven bridges that over the years have been connected and covered, making it one of the widest bridges in the world, cool, eh? And you thought Rochdale was only famous for the 'Gracie Fields lived here carwash'!!

From the infall we were both feeling this one, an inverted egg shaped sidepipe on the left leads to a sewer overflow processor, almost as soon as you walk in, the familiar whiff of something shitty greets the unsuspecting nostril (of nosey fame).

Carrying on further the huge tunnel splits into two, then three seperate tunnels before returning to two. More sidepipes leading god knows where await the busy explorer, before the tunnels once again rejoin into another huge pillared chamber leading to the outfall somewhere near the Police Station.

While this drain isn't spectacularly long the features and different constructions are cool as fook, I can see myself revisiting this one sometime soon...Damn Manchester, your drains are keeping me busy...

The name btw comes from the area outside the town hall, known locally as The Butts, nothing to do with Bungle's arse, nor mine.

TnM :->

Sidedraught Induction - Limbotastic... ;->

2008-07-10T00:26:00.004+01:00

It's days like Tuesday just gone that I thank fook I have so many drains on my doorstep, so many places I can lose myself for an hour or two, seeking solace below the surface, enjoying the silence and bubbling chatter offered at once by Manchester's below ground adventure playground.

I was using this as an opportunity to try out a couple of new toys, the oft spoke of in hushed tones 'uberfluoro' and a ten quid 'Maglite-a-like' from ALDI. Would be interesting to see how they shape up, and how the exposure times/aperture will differ from previous stuff.

This culvert is a funky old shapechanger with loads going for it from its damp entrance in the park to the huge sewer overflow into it, bricks and concrete, can't complain!

Anyhow, I have work to do so I'll keep it short and sweet, the lights work fine, what's next? ;->

Mendo :-)

Bennerley Viaduct, Derbys. - FairyGirl's first explore...

2008-07-07T22:12:00.002+01:00

Visited with Smileysal and FairyGirl, who at 4 years old actually moans less than Havoc in a drain, which is a bonus. For want of something to do on a Saturday afternoon we settled on this, an easy explore, but worth it for the marvellous Victorian ironwork viaduct and odd looks from people passing by on the trains below.

Constructed by German convict labour in 1877 it didn't even make it through 100 years of a working life, closed in 1973. Incredibly it was to be demolished but the outrageous cost of demolition at the time saved the 1400metre structure which is now Grade Two listed.

The funniest thing about this one was the fact that FairyGirl was less scared than Sal who was all for rushing over the span while me an FG were taking in the views and stopping for pics.

Was a pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon, and FairyGirls first explore.

Mendo :)

Cwm Coke - The Real thing...

2008-07-06T22:29:00.002+01:00

...visited with Smileysal on a lazy Sunday before driving back from a great weekend in South Wales. We'd spent most of Saturday trying to acces a huge drain, resulting in me being dangled on the end of a rope into a MASSIVE (30metres from top to bottom!!) overflow chamber, sadly, there were no ladders, step irons or other access for the group so I was hauled out and I'll be honest, it was fu*king scary, but a massive buzz at the same time!!

After that we did another drain, Dunkin' Doe Nuts, no pics cos' I couldn't be arsed, was a cool little stroll under Ebbw Vale though, and interesting to see something different from the Manchester drains I'm more familiar with.

Saturday night was spent hardcoring it around a former MOD arms depot, the BBC film Torchwood in one of the buildings, it's a HUGE place, one to return to at some point too, hopefully in the not too distant future. Only took a couple of pics here, I was enjoying the company and explore too much to bother, I'll get 'em next time.

So, Sunday morning, I woke up with that feeling, the one that you get after a hard days exploring. The one where every muscle in your body is aching, when you're weary, filthy and tired. That feeling...

Me an Sal were gonna head back up north, but wanted to see Cwm Coke Plant before we left so, with directions from Sheep2405 and with warnings of the pot-shot taking security guard we rolled up to the former coke works. Tis' a huge place, we spent around three hours mooching around and even then didn't scratch the surface. Having spent most of my time recently taking pictures in the dark it was a wierd feeling poking about and enjoying shutter speeds below 10seconds and less.

Needless to say, I'll be heading back to South Wales before long...

Mendo :)

Better late than never, I suppose...

2008-06-26T23:44:00.005+01:00

Either I have been lazy or busy, I can't actually decide which, probably lazily busy.... Last Saturday I met up with The Vicar to have a look at a few of Manchester's amazing drains, with Gorton Falls being the starter course.

The gentle dripping, rain dampened trees hung low as we made our way down the shaky rusted ladder, skinny doesn't begin to describe it. Safely down though we headed up stream to the first of the waterfalls, the near deafening noise can be heard from the access point.

We took one look at the ladder leading up, covered in 'lady products' the five metre climb could have been fifty, neither of us in much of a mood to tackle the filthy beast this time on a Saturday.

So heading back to the access point we discussed where to head next and settled on SSSI (nope, I still don't know what it stands for). I can't pretend I knew anything about this one, I'd heard of it but nothing more.

It's a massive sewer overflow.

But fook me what a sight, as ten million gallons of shit fly by before you eyes, the noise was incredible, the structure looked like something out of Tolkien and the SMELL...actually wasn't that bad. The Vicar told me some statistic about this one (three quarters of Manchester's sewage runs through here...?), sadly, I can't actually recall exactly what it was, nevermind. It's a sight to behold, really, it is.

We cracked on, heading for Processor, Bungle andI had done this one the other week but I wanted to see it again, if only for the exercise, at 2300m this one is a GREAT walk in the park. I spent longer than I care to imagine, once again, looking at a steady stream of shite rushing by, what a way to spend 8 hours on a Saturday. Brilliant.

In the meantime I've been boating underground as well as slogging through thigh deep mud, all in the name of noseyness, I can't wait to tell you about that one...

TnM ;->

Anyone would think I've been lazy....

2008-06-16T16:07:00.004+01:00

...nine days without a blog post, crikey. Fact is I've been keeping myself as busy as ever, just some of the stuff I'm doing is gonna take more than one trip to complete, so for the ease of reading, and sake of completeness, I'll only post when the jobs are finished, hopefully in the early hours later this week.

Only a short entry this one and only a couple of pics...

TnM ;->

Processor, Manchester - Marvellous!

2008-06-05T10:05:00.006+01:00

Every now and then I get an early evening text from Bungle, which usually reads something along the lines of 'where you at, fancy doing summat?'. I can usually find time to go exploring with Bungle, especially if it means getting back underground. And so it was, we headed for the Processor drain.

Processor lies within the Harpurhey/Moston area of Manchester, not the greatest of neighbourhoods to be rolling up in at ten o'clock at night, but, needs must when it comes to draining goodness and this one is well worth visiting the badlands for. First discovered by drain God Siologen back in 2004 this culvert traverses 2300m with sections varying from RBP to RCP to RBP (potholes included) with a few concrete side chambers and side-pipes thrown in for good measure, too!

What makes this culvert so interesting is the sewer overflows that are attached in a couple of chambers, when the water reaches a certain level a pair of huge machines will kick into life and skim the top of the the sewer water clear of all those nasty things you generally don't wanna see once you've flushed them down the bog.

Judging by some of the detritus lying around they don't have a 100% success rate, but it's cool as fook finding giant machines underground though, jam-rags and all.

We spent three hours or so walking up from the outfall and back down again, stopping along the way to climb up ladders, in and out of pipes and generally have a damn good nosey around, it's a feature packed place, infact, it might just knock Red Barn off the top of my 'favourite' list so far. Cool stuff.

TnM :->

Silly things that amuse me...

2008-05-30T13:24:00.004+01:00

...this is another post where I shall witter on about the marvels of Google Analytics, in particular the section that allows you to see what keywords people are using to find their way here, some of them tickle me, others leave me scratching my head.

I was going to do a top ten countdown of my favourite search terms but I don't think I can be bothered, I'll just stick up a list of some of the funnier ones that jump out.

Here, in no particular order, is the list.

action plans brunner mond - Ok chaps, why not start by having a meeting to discuss your plan

"the new mendoza" -line explore - I don't remember exploring a line..?

access to brunner mond - We parachute in, honest.

fenix house in derby - A house of torches?? I'm there!

hippodrome : what is it - It's a fooking theatre, innit.

ineos silicas saturday - I'm going back on a Friday, that'll confuse 'em.

stockport salt mines - WTF?

what is going on at ferro alloys glossop - It's being demolished, really, it is.

axel nobel littleborough - AXEL Nobel, ffs.

ace culvert - Lol, there all ace!!

directions to dodge hill air raid shelter - Well, it's like this, you get on a number 43 bus...

And that's that. Roll on summertime...

TnM ;->

Red Barn, Manchester - Crusty aceness!

2008-05-26T10:49:00.004+01:00

A solo jaunt after work, access is esay peasy and this is one drain that keeps on giving. Section after section of red brick, followed by a bit of comcrete followed by more fantastically crusty red brick of all shapes and sizes.

Despite nearly going arse over tit more times than I care to remember, and despite nearly tripping up on various holes in the floor I absolutely love this drain, if only for its crusty goodness.

There are small RBP sections giving way to huge brick stand-up-able sections, all thrown together in no particular order it would seem, a real hotch-potch of drain fun.

Suffice to say I enjoyed this one a lot, think I'm gonna sort myself out with some better lighting gear though.

TnM ;->

One drain, two culverts, one factory, one army camp and a weekend off...

2008-05-23T16:47:00.004+01:00

I think this is going to be another of my round-up posts, I haven't stopped doing stuff since Tuesday, and it's beginning to take it's toll on old Mendo.

Tuesday...

First up, Tuesday evening, shortly after finishing work I spent a gruelling ninety minutes stooping up a dreadful little drain in Glossop, at 5 or so feet high, all the way along for a few hundred crusty feet, my back and legs were absolutely fooked, by the time I re-emerged into the river I discovered my right leg was in no mood to operate at full capacity. Leaving me to stumble about in the drink trying not to topple over.

Wednesday...

The following day over in Nottinghamshire me and Sal hit up a couple of topside places, Coates Viyella, a mess of a worked over factory, bereft of much delight, but made for a couple of interesting pics. I think this was in Worksop, could be wrong though, Sal was navigating, I just drive.

Afterwards we had a look at the nearby Proteus Training Camp which I thought was ace, huge, spread out, buildings of all shape and size and an assault course to boot, winner!!

We spent around three or four hours mooching about, not bumping into a soul all the while, a sunny day relaxed explore, marvellous!

Thursday...

Thursday, lunchtime, I was up at Park Bridge in Ashton seeing a mate, having seen him, I nipped into the river to have a quick nosey around the culvert, wasn't huge by any means, but was a nice diversion for half an hour.

Thursday, evening, I finished work and planned to head over towards east Manchester and do the Works drain, fortunately I decided to stop along the way and do the mighty Medlock culvert (of Big Humpty fame). And it was great!

Spent a couple of hours by myself a mooching and a wandering up and down the river enjoying the last rays of sunlight on what had been a busy and trying day at work, a fine way to relax and wind down.

Only problem was, I managed to get myself lost on the mean streets of Clayton, not really the place for a chap from Cheshire to be wandering in the evening, especially as I looked like I was a fooking gamekeeper or summat.

All in it's been a busy few days, so I think I'll take the weekend off, maybe...

TnM ;->

Backbreaker...Somewhere in Cheshire...

2008-05-18T23:32:00.003+01:00

Spent a good ninety minutes or so mooching up an unidentified pipe in Cheshire somewhere the other day. What started out as a hopefully interesting little stone built tunnel outflowing into a stream, quickly turned into at least a mile of backbreaking, leg-aching 5ft RCP. And fook me it was hard work.

After an hour or so of tramping upstream, stopping at every manhole access chamber to take the opportunity to stretch my back into an upright position, I was beaten, there was no end in site, so I turned back, slightly annoyed with myself, but with a plan to return. With any luck, and some further research, next time I'll be approaching from the other end.

It only took me half an hour on the way back out, caught on the tide of water and in a hurry to stand up straight, I really regretted wearing the exploring cardigan, I was soaked through with sweat.

The pics are fairly random, I don't want to give away exactly where this is yet, not until I've traversed the whole thing anyway, and also because I didn't find it, Ike, get in there!! ;->

Was fun, sort of.

TnM :->

Just catching up on a few bits and pieces...

2008-05-11T16:47:00.006+01:00

..that I've been upto over the last week or so. Stuff that doesn't really merit a post of its own. I did the 'Bendy' warehouse in Oldham last week, just 'cos I was in the area on the way back from Bungle's house.

I don't know how many times I've been past it recently but it's now off the neverending list of 'stuff to do, just 'cos it's there, but doesn't deserve the full explore treatment', that list, you know the one (think Barnes Hospital type of stuff).

Anyway, that's it, done.

Next up was the Derby City Culvert, a consolation explore after I nearly took the top of my finger off on some broken glass climbing into another place not far away. Due to the fact I was in some pain (and bleeding quite heavily) we wanted a walk-in explore and this fitted the bill nicely.

With the recent heatwave we're going through at the minute me and Sal thought we'd seek shelter from the heat under the streets of Derby, was lovely and cool too.

Sadly, about ten billion mini flies had the same idea, so after getting about three-quarters of the way through we turned around, there's only so many times you can swallow a fly before it gets less than amusing. Was a nice little walk up until that point, full of wildlife too including bats and rats. And fish, fish are stupid though.

So that's that sorted. Hopefully, I should have some bigger stuff coming up in the next week or two. But I'll still be finding little things to amuse myself with inbetween now and then.

TnM :->

A hot day in Buxton....

2008-05-09T10:11:00.008+01:00

Had a jaunt over to Buxton the other day with Smileysal to go and hit up Harpur Hill College. Following info received from a contact that there was no security on it any more, it needed to be done. Access this time was a whole load easier than the last time a group of us dropped in sometime in 2007.

I'm too hot to witter on about how stuffed full of interesting stuff the place is, hopefully the pics will give you a fair idea. We only intended mooching around for a couple of hours, four hours later though we were still there (having met up with Gibbo and Havoc), and being escorted off the premises by a random security patrol

Following our tour around we headed over to the London Underground trains at the HSE Laboratories round the corner. Fearing the mighty Triple H directions from hell ('it's just around the corner!') were gonna kick in we were surprised to actually find them, naught but a ten minute stroll from where we dumped the cars. Wow!

Admittedly, there are only so many angles you can photograph an empty graffiti littered train, we still managed to make an hours mooch out of them, before we split up and headed off in different directions.

Was a great day, really enjoyed it. There may also be a short video from these two explores, just need to get my arse into gear...

TnM :->

Woah!!! Relentless X4 - Oh my!

2008-05-04T22:18:00.003+01:00

Wow, whilst mooching about my favourite retail store of choice I spotted this!! A four pack of the mighty Relentless, woot, an entire days sustainance in an easy to carry plastic wrapped four pack (of convenience fame). And it's less than four quid.

It's like this you see, four cans equals breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner, throw in a packet of Marlboro (Red) and a days exploring is complete.

The way to win is right there! Get them from Tesco, or your supermarket of choice (although Tesco is the winning choice, obviously).

TnM ;->

Bunker...bollox...broken camera... :-<

2008-05-01T00:16:00.004+01:00

Made a return trip to the Bunker drain today with Sal and once I'd talked her through the access point we headed deep underground to cries of 'bloody hell, wait for me, your legs are longer than mine!'. Well, at a diminutive 5'3" it's hardly surprising the Shireling had trouble keeping up. ;->

Tramping up the RCP together we spent ages looking at frogs, toads, eels and fish, before heading into the darkness, to more cries of 'don't get so far ahead, I don't like it! Slow down...' eventually we arrived at the huge chamber with the stepped downfall and we stopped for pictures and a mooch up the smaller pipe that led nowhere except to a gated infall. Was nice to see daylight though, and grab some fresh air.

We carried on up the drain after taking pictures, when I thought, 'oh, I'll get a pic of the two of us, either side of this pipe'. So, I set up the camera, tell Sal where to stand, hit the self timer button and then...ouch, the sound of a Nikon D200 and 17-35mm f2.8 lens hitting the concrete as I caught the tripod on my way past, F**K, this could be expensive.

As it turns out, the camera works fine, it just won't switch off, unless I unscrew the battery pack, not ideal, but it does the trick....Calumet here I come!!

All in was a good mooch until I noticed a rise in water levels towards the middle of the drain, at this point we decided to head back to the entry point, lest we get caught out.

Was a thoroughly enjoyable mooch, just wish I was more careful with my gear sometimes, lol.

TnM ;->

Anonymous comments enabled...

2008-04-28T23:27:00.003+01:00

Right, after months of requiring a google account to leave comments on my blog I'm opening it up to anonymous users. It could be interesting, it could be really dull, I'm kinda hoping someone from Brunner Mond will leave a remark, even if it consists of 'stay the fook away from our factories, you cheeky varmint!'.

Don't be a twat about it though will you dear reader, anything I don't like will be deleted, just 'cos I can, although healthy discussion is always encouraged.

Go for it folks, abuse my generosity.

TnM ;->

Bunker Drain, Warrington - It's HUGE!

2008-04-27T22:51:00.004+01:00

Having been meaning to crack on with some more underground stuff this year someone suggested we have a look at the immense Bunker in Warrington. Located south of the town centre five of us met up on a warm Friday evening.

Myself, Gibbo, Bungle, Lawrence and Havoc found ourselves standing in the pitch blackness, a couple of pigeons flapping about in the chamber, causing an eerie echo from the huge RCP that led away into a dark labyrinthe of concrete.

We headed into the pipe, being careful not to step on the multitude of wildlife swimming around our feet, eels and fish, then hundreds of frogs lined the path into the heart of the drain. Before long we came to a huge stepped chamber, our first taste of the underground architecture that has brought drainers from across the country to visit this behemoth.

We spent twenty or so minutes, maybe longer, photographing the chamber from various angles, waving torches and taking it in, before heading off up one of the pipes that leads off, and up Various small (5 or 6 foot) stepped waterfalls.

Eventually we arrived at the Giant Stairway, and it really is GIANT, 6, 7 or 8 (I forget) five foot high steps, cascading a steady stream of water downward, it was a magical sight, one that in the dark was difficult to take in all at once. Cameras came out once more, cue shouting, echo, 'eh?', shout, 'what?' 'can't fooking hear ya!' 'eh?', yeah, it was like that.

We continued through the drain, passing various industrial size chambers, valves, climbed up ladders, climbed back down, it was exhausting, the temperature took us somewhat by surprise, I even removed the exploring beanie at one point.

Eventually, we reached the end of the drain, the dropshaft, or as far as we we're willing to travel in one night. We split up around this area, some going up, others staying down, before heading off back our entry point, it took us forty minutes, non-stop walking to get back, by the end of it we were exhausted, wet, sweaty and tired.

Above all, I was grumpy, but what a night, and what an introduction to draining, I can't wait for the next one.

TnM :->

Drains and culverts = Ace fun!

2008-04-25T09:15:00.004+01:00

Been mooching around underground for the past few days. Nothing major, just a quick trip down a drain that defeated us by rising (and rather manky) water.

Had a trip under the M62 up near Milnrow, wading down (or was it up) a culvert, being underneath motorways is really the way to win!

Then another trip to Derby and finding a lovely little culvert that exits into the River Derwent, was cool as fook, I tell you.

Anyhow, this is the quickest post I've done, 'cos I'm at work and have dozens of things to be doing so I'll leave you with the pics.

Foxdenton

Visited with Bungle, Gibbo and Havoc. We were beaten back by a raging torrent of filth (well, maybe not raging) lol.

Milnrow Culvert.

A trip beneath the M62, also with Bungle, Gibbo and Havoc. Most enjoyable, if only to see Bungle trapped in the culvert at the end.

Chaddesden Culvert, Derby.

Spotted this one with Smileysal, and was well impressed, loved it.

And that's all for now, can't wait to do some more.

TnM :->

Bungle made me do this.

2008-04-20T21:05:00.004+01:00

Well, it's been a week of turmoil in the world of Urban Exploration following the sudden closure of the 28dayslater forum. For whatever reasons the owners chose, I'm sure for them it was the right decision.

So because of that the Introductions forum over at DerelictPlaces has been going crazy and old Mendo can barely keep up with the sudden influx of new members looking for a new home on the web.

And so we get to the point of this post, and only because Bungle threatened to ban me if I didn't 'big up' his new forum am I doing it ;->

It's like this, a forum for Northwest based explorers, even though the boundaries of the NW have been vastly stretched and cover most of northern England (and parts of Wales) lol

It's actually a really good place, set up within hours of 28 going down, the membership numbers are creeping up, the post count is climbing and so far no arguments. So, after the initial storm and panic, all is well in the world of UE.

You can find the forum here, take a look, I like it.

northwestexploration

TnM :->

From Bridon to Burtonwood - April 08

2008-04-18T05:20:00.004+01:00

A quick update on a couple of cracking explores me and Sal boxed off recently. First up was a return trip to Bridon Wireworks in Ambergate, Derbyshire (cast your minds back to September last year when Havoc and I first did it). Back then, only the huge sheds were doable.

Now though, the offices and labs have opened up and are a sight to behold, stuffed to brimming with interesting paperwork and all manner of scientific equipment and apparatus.

Well worth going back for, if only we hadn't arrived 'til late, we could have mooched around a bit more of the site. One to return to for a third time, I reckon.

USAF Burtonwood

Then on Wednesday we stopped by at the amazing USAF Burtonwood just outside Warrington. These hangars/storage bunkers have never been open for as long as I've been keeping an eye on them, but, as my old dad used to say, 'fortune favours the persistent, Mendo', we rolled up and found one of them with an access, brilliant.

Spent a good couple of hours onsite inside and outside these incredible buildings, totally empty and devoid of 'stuff', but still mesmerising due the the scale and construction, loved seeing inside, it was amazing (although if the pikeys knew how much metal is in there, they'd be circling the caravans)!!

Burtonwood is fantastic, such a shame these storage bunkers will probably be demolished, thanks English Partnerships, thanks for nothing.

TnM :->

Oh, the challenge...back to the Hippo - 12/04/08

2008-04-14T10:09:00.005+01:00

According to a recent article in the Derby Evening Times the owner of the unfortunate Derby Hippodrome has made the building secure, following the repairs to the roof, and the outrage across the country by theatre lovers everywhere.

Me and Sal were in town having a look at a couple of things and thought we'd stop and have a gander and check out these new 'security measures'.

To be fair, the security guard sat in his P reg Mondeo, reading a magazine, put me off going through the car park round the back, but it really isn't much of a challenge to get past a fence.

The door I used last time has been blocked, indeed, sadly, blocking a big fook off hole in the wall is another matter altogether.

I only went in to take pictures, other, more unscrupulous folk may have other intentions.

Anyway, I spent another 40 minutes or so having a good look around, even made it up to the Gods this time too. Thought I'd concentrate on some of the more intact areas this time, you see, it's not completely fooked in there.

TnM :->

**Apologies for putting my feet on the seats, I'm too tall for my own good.**

Barton Bridge - The return of BigVertigoMendoza - April 08

2008-04-09T10:27:00.002+01:00

Wow, this was another of my daft ideas. Having spent a day mooching round Trafford Park and Salford I drove over this bridge, started thinking, got off the motorway on the Trafford Park side, dumped the car and went for a walk.

It's an impressive structure from close up, huge concrete pillars carry the M60 across the Manchester Ship Canal in a span of nearly 2500ft. And there is a walkway underneath. Only problem was, how the hell do we get up there and past the locked gate? Userscott, he's the man for this kind of thing.

So I fired off a few emails and Scott was onboard, 'when do we do it?'. As enthusiastic as ever and always up for a challenge, the date was set.

Four of us met beneath the giant bridge, open for business since 1961, Scott was first up, then Yaz, then Havoc, then me. It's amazing how much safer you feel wearing a climbing harness and being clipped on, this could be habit forming :-> .

The first thing we had to negotiate was a locked door, couldn't go through, we went under it, was scary as hell, I tell you!!

Once that little obstacle was behind us we had free rein on the walkways right across from Trafford Park to Barton in the North 2425 ft away! And wow, what an amazing experience as the cars thunder overhead, unaware there are four chaps pottering about a matter of feet beneath their wheels. Get in there!

We were on the bridge for the best part of four hours, eventually making our way down around half eleven, before posing for pictures at ground level.

Another TOP Manchester explore, what the hell are we gonna do next?

TnM :->

Derby Hippodrome links and shiz...

2008-04-08T09:54:00.003+01:00

Just a quick update with a few links to the Derby Evening Telegraph website regarding the fate of the Hippodrome, so bravely photographed by myself last week. ;->

This Kirsty Green woman is going for it big time lol.

8th April.

HIPPODROME DEVELOPER ALSO OWNS FORMER CHURCH

DEVELOPER GIVES HIS SIDE OF THE STORY

5th April.

CONTROVERSY IN PAST OF THEATRE OWNER

COUNCIL'S VERSION OF EVENTS FOR HIGH COURT BID

STRIVING FOR THE FACTS

4th april.

DAMAGE TO HIPPODROME'S INTERIOR [WITH PICS]

3rd April.

HIPPODROME BATTLE SET TO GO TO THE HIGH COURT

PAID TO LEAVE ON THE DAY PARTS OF THE HIPPODROME CAME DOWN

I think that'll do for now, keep it up, Kirsty.

TnM :->

Derby Hippodrome, what a state...02/04/08

2008-04-03T09:36:00.002+01:00

Headed over to Derby way to check out a couple of leads and a couple of places but the first stop of the day was to the under-threat Derby Hippodrome. There has been some recent controversy over the current situation with the building and its owner Mr Christopher Anthony.

Following the council directive to make safe the roof the demolition equipment moved in and devastated the auditorium, the people of Derby and surrounding areas are up in arms, rightly so, at the destruction of the 94 year old theatre. All in the name of progress, eh? What a joke.

Anyway, I'm gonna let the pictures do the talking again, people of Derby, look away now, it isn't pretty.

TnM :-<

Chilled out exploring, the finest kind of exploration...

2008-03-31T19:41:00.005+01:00

Spent nearly all day Saturday out and about in Manchester and its environs mooching about in the rain, looking for some new stuff to explore. Found some stunning locations that are definatly gonna be hit over the next few weeks and months, all live and all gonna be good fun!!

Sunday though was a different matter all together. Waking up to pure sunny blue skies the weather couldn't have been better, and I'd just been reminded of somewhere in Stalybridge that I've been meaning to do for ages, Oakwood Mill in Millbrook.

The former cotton mill has slowly been falling apart for years, but there was something attractive about the yellow stone, decaying mess that lay before me. Finding access was easy enough, navigating the ruin of a building around me required care, the holes in the floor and random drops into the basement were enough to keep me on my toes throughout.

I spent a relaxed hour or so poking about and enjoying the fine weather and filth before making my escape, back to the reality of work and dealing with annoyed, angry people. Was good.

Wallerscote, Wallerscote, Wallerscote...

Is it any wonder I spend so much time wandering around the outside and inside of Brunner Mond's factories? When they look as good as they did this evening in the low setting sun, I can't help myself.

I stuck to the riverside path, not feeling the need to venture inside, the broken glass windows, Soda Ash and pure industrial goodness 40 feet across the River Weaver were enough to satisfy today's longing...

If I'd seen this sign previously I would have had second thoughts about taking Bungle in here...lol

All seemed quiet onsite, although the gate was open, usually a good sign someone is beavering away, I didn't see anyone driving or walking about. Still wasn't tempted to head in though, I'm giving security a break, they must be tired out putting all that anti-vandal paint and barbed wire everywhere. ;->

So, 45 minutes later, I left, wondering when I'll be back again, sometime, I told myself, sometime...

TnM :->

Aaarrggh!!! I'm too bloody busy!!!

2008-03-25T19:52:00.004Z

Wow, I don't seem to have stopped exploring stuff since our space adventure a couple of weeks back, which is why I haven't had time to update this place for a while.

I'm gonna keep this fairly 'un-wordy' and let the pictures do the talking 'cos I'm absolutely shattered and my mental faculties are shutting down fast towards snoooooze status RED.

Right, bloody hell, where do I start? Met up with SmileySal a couple of weekends ago (I think, bleeurgh, bad memory lol) outside Dorma in Chinley, second time round for me at this place, but I absolutely love it, huge, filthy, industrial goodness and an easy peasy explore, great.

After that we headed up to Alexander Drew in Rochdale, again, second time round for me and more of the same, fooking great chilled out exploring!!

And then more Dodge Hill shelters, can't stay away from these, and after a little encouragement managed to get the tiny Sally, through the tiny hole, ACE, love Dodge Hill, love 'em.

Think there was a brief mooch around the remnants of Coalite near Bolsover, spotted by three geezers in the distance who promptly asked me to eff orf.

What else? Lymn air raid shelters, an impromptu solo explore of somewhere easy and nearby, no trouble from the cops unlike the last time I was having a mooch around them.

After that, a brief trip around the basement of Manchester Town Hall, clocked by security and quickly escorted off the premises by the nicest security guard I've ever met, tried to convince him to take me up the clock tower, but he was having none of it.

Then, more recently a return trip to Harpurhey Swimming Baths with Havoc, followed by my first visit to Park and Paterson in Marple. And on that note, I think that kind of brings me up to date, I think...

TnM ;->

Jodrell Bank and BigVertigoMendoza - 08-09/03/08

2008-03-10T00:44:00.004Z

Months and months ago I suggested to Dodge and Havoc, 'we should have a crack at Jodrell Bank', Dodge was all 'no way, not a chance and not in a million years'. Havoc on the other hand seemed to think the idea was a goer, so we started recceing the place.

On our first attempt, with Bungle, we were busted by a stealthy ninja security guard, hell, he was brandishing a torch as we made our entry, so we left it for a couple of weeks.

Fast forward those two weeks, and once again, we were approaching the 250ft high dish under cover of darkness. Myself, Havoc and Userscott quietly made our way closer, the sick, knotted feeling in my stomach was growing with every step I took, but Havoc and Scott’s confidence was contagious and we found ourselves outside the fence.

Within seconds Scott was over, closely followed by Havoc, closely followed by me. We ran onto the steps of the beast as she moved slowly past us, and found ourselves climbing a ladder to the first gantry; we’d already travelled 25 metres from our entry point as the telescope assumed its position. The giant stopped within view of the control room and we could see the astronomer working away. F*ck!

We were frozen to the spot as a security guard made his rounds, lying low like we've never lay low before, eventually he disappeared, we quickly made the decision that we’d seen enough for one night, we needed to get out of there, Scott was first down, followed by Havoc, followed by me, making the ten foot drop onto the grass and running full tilt towards the fence and quickly over.

We’d achieved what we wanted to achieve this evening, but wanted more…we returned the following day. This time there were four of us, myself, Havoc, Userscott and Bungle. I'd spent the day as nervous as hell, seriously thinking about giving it a miss, for whatever reason, I just had a bad feeling.

We found an alternative access point, I stalled, then went over the fence, then stalled again, Scott came running over, 'you're gonna be fine, it's ladders all the way', I followed him across the empty ground and up the first ladder, then stalled, Bungle was behind me, 'get yourself up there Bungle, son, tell 'em I can't do it, I got the fear!'.

As soon as my hand touched the rungs of the ladder, I felt the panic and terror set in, I'd be no good freezing on a ladder, not on a site like this, so I quickly made the decision to head back down and act as ground crew, keeping an eye on security whilst the other three made it to the top.

I was gutted with myself, but still sat at the bottom grinning from ear to ear as I watched the three of them make it to the top and disappear into the control box, what a buzz, even for me sat on the ground, stunning work, guys, I'm really, really proud of you!!

Over the past 48 hours or so, I've spent 40 or 50 minutes, sat, stood, lying, climbing the Lovell Telescope, does it constitute an explore, in my eyes, yes, I did it, we did it, and we didn't get caught!!

What next? Something less high I hope...

TnM :->

Foreigners, filth and Justine's buttocks - Another great weekend!!

2008-03-03T20:26:00.002Z

Saturday came around, I'd already decided I couldn't be arsed getting up early to explore anything so arose from a deep slumber around 11am. 10 minutes later my phone is ringing, it's Romanian1, I was still hungover and only on my first coffee of the day, call rejected.

I phoned him back half an hour later, he says, 'the Iranian Consulate is doable, I've already been in', I says 'great, I'll be round your's for one, stick the kettle on'.

We made our way in to the house and were amazed to find absolutely shed loads of stuff lying around, passport or visa applications, Iranian literature (including a biography of the Ayotollah Khomeni), pictures of aforementioned chap, allsorts of great stuff to root through!

The house is a lovely mix of Victorian design and Arabic taste, could probably do with some modernisation as the decor and furniture is very dated (think 1980s, and we all know there was NO taste for that 10 year period).

Following our visit to the consulate we headed up to Warrington (a place that needs looking at closely, I'm sure the town has quite a bit to offer), to have a look at Garnett's Cabinet Works. Sadly, we could only look from the outside, 'cos there wasn't any access available despite looking in all directions, so we headed north to RAF Croft.

This was an enjoyable mooch for an hour or so, just a bit of a shame we didn't arrive 'til late and it got dark, leaving us with one torch between us (I left my headtorch in my camera bag at home, doh!). There's loads of interesting little feature like the stage and parquet flooring, original lamp shades and whatnot, worthy of a revisit I think.

LIFE IS JUSTINE'S BUTTOCKS.

Sunday. I was working. The Bungle (of Rainbow fame) texted me, 'what you doing this afternoon?'. Working, 'til one. 'You fancy having a look at that chemical place in Rochdale?'. Damn right I do, I'll be round your's for 2 o'clock!

So, we arrived about three-ish, at one of the best unexplored explores in the area, Alexander Drew, textile printers. And it was fooking unbelievably great. How this place has been missed for the four or five years it's been closed I do not know, but this place should be high on the list of any explorer in the Manchester area!

Not only is the place huge, it is also stuffed with, well, stuff including textile samples, chemicals, accounts, company stationery just loads and loads of stuff worthy of perusal, I loved it, absolutely loved it, if only for the graffiti written by the workforce, including the 'Life is Justine's buttocks', who was Justine? I'd like to check out her buttocks, they made an impression on somebody.

More pics can be found over at Derelict Places, a great weekend of urbex action!!

Iranian Consulate

RAF Croft

Alexander Drew Textiles

TnM :->

I need a Fenix ffs! - 22/02/08

2008-02-28T10:50:00.005Z

When bungle calls you at about lunchtime and says, 'fancy doing something tonight?', I get a dread feeling in my stomach, here we go again, 'what you got in mind, Bungle, son?'.

A terrace and a tunnel he tells me, up Halifax way (I hate Halifax, I used to live there a few years back, or as near as damnit), get to his about 6ish. Fearing my lighting would be a little inadequate for lighting a tunnel, I called the Wino, 'need to borrow your fenix, mate, Bungle has a tunnel...and a terrace'.

So a quick trip down to Wino country to collect the beast of a torch and I'm set, well, after buying some wellies in B&Q, and some cheap jeans in ASDA (I know, I know, should have gone to Tesco, think of the clubcard points)!

We arrived at Wainhouse Terrace in Halifax and spent a good forty minutes waving torches around and dodging used syringes, got some decent pics out of the place too, as well as some funny looks from the locals.

We then headed over to errm..Bacup (I think it was anyway), whatever, it was tunnel, and it was dark. Fenix powered lighting though works wonders in dark places and soon enough we'd exhausted all opportunities a disused tunnel can offer, thoroughly enjoyed some of the pictures I got though.

Was a good night in the end, cheers Bungle.

You can find the torch in question here.

TnM :->

Wallerscote Island - A slight return - 24/02/08

2008-02-26T21:28:00.003Z

We were on the way back from Chester and thought we may as well take the Jaff Fox into Wallerscote, it being on the way back to Stockport. Making our usual way to the site we realised security had put some measures in place with the intention of keeping us out, didn't work though, they seem to underestimate the determination of the busy and industrious urbexer!!

Site access was as easy as ever and soon we found ourselves wandering about the site at will, up and down gantries, in and out of control rooms, it's like walking in a winter wonderland, the soda ash is so quiet underfoot, just like last August when we first visited.

Sadly, since then, the access to the top of the silos has been restricted (come on guys, we only want to take pictures, leave the staircase door open won't you? Promise not to sue if we trip or fall!!) lol.

We probably spent a good three hours once again having a damn good mooch until I went to check if there was any personnel on site and clocked a bloke parking his car and walking into the office building at which point we decided to leave.

Wallerscote makes for a great beginner 'live site' explore, what's next you may ask...?

TnM ;->

Countess of Chester, Deva Asylum - 23/02/08

2008-02-24T15:52:00.002Z

I've never really enjoyed exploring hospitals or asylums, always preferring to mooch about in some filthy industry, but we were in the area checking out another lead and thought it would be churlish to not give the place a look over.

We were immediatly clocked by security as we walked the perimiter of the fence and noticed he was straight on his radio to someone, unperturbed we carried on round and found a nice easy access. This is only the second asylum I've done (the other being a whistlestop tour of High Royds, Yorkshire) and I must admit I rather enjoyed this.

I was surprised that the place hasn't been pikied or chavved up, what little damage there is appears to be entirely natural decay, the asylum closed its doors for the last time in 2005.

We were unfortunately pushed for time on this visit and probably spent two or three hours in one building alone before we headed across town to have quick look at the Lead Shot Tower near the station. It was VERY pigeony inside, and not actually that interesting either.

Following our all too brief visit to Chester we piled back in the car and headed to Mond country...

TnM :->

ThenewMendoza Salt Mine excavation (of back yard fame) - 20/02/08

2008-02-20T13:56:00.002Z

Ok chaps, here is the problem, fearing my drain pipe was busted following the great sewage flood of last week I decided to investigate the wonky flagstone at the east end of my estate.

Upon liftage of said stone I was faced with a gaping chasm, I immediately reached for my head torch and headed in a little closer, documentary evidence of what I was faced with can be found in the picture SaltMine1.

I donned my Phil (cornish bloke off time team) hat and began carefully excavating the shitty mess that lay before me. I faced brick, soil (of all varieties), lady products and other monsters of the deep. I finally hit the object of my diggage, the drain, I'm naming it Supershitter.

I went for my drain rods and gave the damn thing what for until the flow of water which was quite an immense build-up, began flowing freely, I could hear it trickling away into the main public sewer. A most welcome aural pleasure.

The picture SaltMine2 (above) shows what I am left with, it seems there is half a pipe (cut lengthways??) that is causing the problem and needs replacing with a closed variety. Unfortunately there are a number of bricks (possible foundations for the carriage house) leaning on the pipe which I am too scared to move, lest said carriage house comes collapsing down upon itself.

The gaping wound in my back yard needs sorting, chaps, what would you do?

Captain Mendoza (of the 45th drain dig battalion) ;->

Ineos Silicas - Live infiltration - 16/02/08

2008-02-17T13:11:00.003Z

Well, well, what a stunning place. Havoc and I recced this behemoth of industry in Warrington earlier in the week and realised it was entirely doable, if we were in the right kit. So, we met up nearby on Saturday morning in suits, shirts and ties and proceeded to the entry point in our hi-viz vests and hard hats. I think the biggest surprise of the day was the fact that Jaff actually owns a shirt and tie.

It was all so easy. The glorious sunshine made the factory look stunning against a deep blue sky. We wandered about as bold as brass taking pictures willy-nilly before finding a door that led us deep into the...err, derelict bit.

Which was an unexpected pleasure, so off we went mooching about in the labs and offices before finding a huge industrial section of pipey metal goodness that reminded me a little of the Wallerscote site in Northwich.

I think we spent about an hour and a half inside before deciding that we should probably make a move before our luck ran out.

Visited with Havoc and Jaff Fox. And it was great.

TnM ;->

Wow! What a weekend - 09/10/02/08

2008-02-10T20:25:00.000Z

I think we've hit seven sites over the weekend, including three new, unexplored places. First up was a HUGE textile mill in Manchester, a pleasant surprise, as part of a live site it was great fun stealthing about the place, we even returned on Sunday to check out a few areas we missed.

After that we did the tiny, but 'bootyful' Hyde police station, it was rubbish really, but there were a few interesting bits and bobs left lying around.

Following that we had a look at the York House Hotel in Ashton-under-Lyne, it was an absolute hellhole, but it's off the 'list' now. Then Havoc and I headed up to Greenfield to have a look at the huge Knoll spinning mill, which was absolutey fantastic, I'm surprised more people haven't done this place considering it's two minutes up the road from Fletcher's Paper Mill.

Then we headed to Barnes Hospital in Cheadle, one of those places that has always been there, but we never got round to doing, so again, it's done and off the list.
As already mentioned we returned to the huge textile mill on Sunday with Romanian1, who seemed to enjoy it, despite the fact we had to make a sharp exit when I heard the sound of large angry dog somewhere on site, could have been police, could have been security, either way, we weren't hanging round to find out!!
After that I had to do a couple of jobs for work then headed back to Stockport's Dodge Hill shelter again, this time with a bag of tealight candles. It was a complete mither, lighting 72 of them, I couldn't even be bothered doing the top flight of steps!!

Was a great weekend though, fantastic weather and fantastic exploration fun. On top of that, between myself, Bungle666 and Havoc we managed to get Mr Mister X banned from Derelict Places, what a way to win. Great.

TnM :->

British Sugar silos, Kidderminster - 06/02/08

2008-02-07T02:48:00.000Z

Well, we were in the area to go on the tour of the Drakelow Tunnels complex (it was a former Rover shadow factory during WW2, then a RGHQ, and then a RSG). It finally shut up shop for good in 1992.

The tour was fantastic, the chap leading us round was a fountain of knowledge on the history of the place and you could tell he really held the complex close to his heart. He didn't even seem to mind when we kept wandering off to mooch about when we shouldn't have been.

A top class place, it just a shame the current owners don't allow photographs of the interior, I could have had a field day in there.

So following the slightly extended two and a half hour tour (probably 'cos our little group kept wandering off) we thought we'd head over to Kidderminster's British Sugar factory.

The factory is being demolished at the minute but the only thing we wanted to do was the silos, so after finding access to the site we headed straight for them.

Upon my first glance I got a rather sick feeling in my stomach, not having much of a head for heights, they seemed very tall. However, there apeared to be an interior staircase that went straight to the top, so I thought it might not be too bad. And it wasn't, until the very last ladder.

Everything you touch in the silos building is sticky with sugar, it was like being in some cheap nightclub mooching about, the sound of your footsteps was comedy as they shclurrp off the floor. And the staircase handrails were absolutely horrible, sticky with sugar, then throw in a handfull of pigeon poo!

But, eventually we made it to the very top, and the views, well, they were OK, nothing special really, but at least I'd done my first silo, although I definately prefer to keep my feet on the ground. I probably will do in future too.

Visited with Bungle and Havoc, Jaff Fox was there for the Drakelow tour.

TnM ;->

Stockport Air Raid Shelters - Dodge Hill&Brinksway - 02/02/08

2008-02-02T21:59:00.000Z

I've been meaning to get down the Stockport air raid shelters for so long but always seemed to find some reason or other for not doing so. And I'm kicking myself for not doing them sooner, they are absolutely fantastic!

First up we hit the Dodge Hill shelters, located, as you would expect near Dodge Hill. These shelters are probably the best preserved of the two abandoned ones (the third, Chestergate is now a museum, and meant to be very good too, although I haven't visited myself).

Upon entry you realise how claustrophobic they must have been during an air raid, the tunnels themselves are probably no more than 7 or 8 feet wide, with bunk beds down one side of them. Imagine how they must have been teeming with people...

The shelters were excavated in the 1930s when the prospect of war seemed ever more likely..

After spending an hour and a half or so mooching round we exited Dodge Hill and headed over to the Brinksway shelters, which, although much more extensive, don't seem to have the same appeal as Dodge Hill. They appear to have suffered at the hands of vandals a little more over the years.

It's a real shame these shelters are being left to rot, although I must commend Stockport Council for the work they have done at theChestergate shelters, but these are an important reminder of what our parents/grandparents went through during the Second World War.

Anyway, I certainly intend to go back to Dodge Hill, Brinksway didn't really do it for me (besides, I was with Havoc so we got lost!! lol), a return trip is in the offing.

TnM :->

I'd completely forgotten I picked this up. 31/01/08

2008-01-31T19:38:00.000Z

I was rummaging through my camera bag today, having a bit of a clear out of all that random shit that tends to wind up stuffed in a forgotten pocket. And so it was that I found the card pictured above, The Premier Moor System - Thought Control - Substitution.

What with all my recent woe and bad luck, I considered it a rather serendipitous find, and it came at just the right time too, the day after my gran's funeral.

Although the language of the card is somewhat dated, I'm guessing 1920s/30s, the message is fairly clear, 'stop moping and start thinking positively'. And that is what I fully intend to do, it can't hurt to try can it?

The card reads as follows.

It is absolutely essential that you dwell upon the positive side of life, and for that reason you must never allow yourself to become discouraged or pessimistic, for example, If when you are about to go out it commences to rain, then you must not mentally say 'How unfortunate I am, it always rains when I go out' but rather you must substitute this thought with 'How fortunate I am to have an umbrella and rainproof,' further what a blessing rain is for it is impossible to live without water.

By this method of 'substitution' you will gradually change yourself into a positive optimistic, cheerful and happy individual, to whom friends are naturally attracted.

TnM :->

Albion Mill, Macclesfield - 13/01/08

2008-01-14T21:06:00.000Z

Spotted this place a while back when we we're checking out another potential target nearby. Didn't take much more than a cursory glance at it as we drove by though, it 'looked' pretty well boarded up.

So, two months later I find myself in Macclesfield with local explorer Ike, staring down a tunnel that was gushing water out at quite a rate, 'think we need to wait for some dry weather, mate' was the order of the day. So, we headed up London Road and stopped by.

Wandering round the outside and back, the place WAS boarded to hell, although we thought we had spotted a possible access, and the only way to check it out was across the river. This would involve a BOAT, or a wade. We opted for the wade. Shoes and socks off, trousers rolled up and I headed in first. Don't think young Ike expected this on a chilly Sunday afternoon in January, but, come to think of it, I don't think I expected it.

Anyway, once across the river we found an access, wasn't easy, but we managed it, with a bit of help from a makeshift ladder. And once inside, it was a little dissapointing, the place was virtually stripped bare of 'stuff' that you normally hope to find in a mill dating from 1843.

Seems the place was split up into various business units during the latter years of its life and finally closed its doors in 2003 and has stood empty ever since. Although the place is surprisingly HUGE, and deceptively getlosteasyable (hey, I just made up that word!), we had a good mooch around for a couple of hours before the light started to fade and my camera batteries gave up the ghost, due to the cold.

So, despite trying to find an easier and drier access out, we couldn't, we headed back the way we came and waded across the river once more. I'd have kicked myself if we hadn't done it, but it's one of those that you think to yourself, was it really worth it?

Thinking about it now though, I reckon so, it was a daft adventure if nothing else, and also good to meet a new face. Cheers Ike, there are worse ways to spend a Sunday afternoon.

TnM ;->

Google Analytics are for the WINNER in you! 10/01/08

2008-01-10T17:53:00.000Z

I'm not normally one for geeky tech stuff but I am so impressed with Google analytics I feel I have to share. Essentially it's like one of those page counters you used to see on websites a few years back, but without the actual need to have an ugly box on the page informing the viewer they are visitor number one hundred and four. It's like that, and then some.

A simple copy and paste of some Google code into your website/blog footer and a quick sign up over here and within 24 hours you can stalk all of the people that visit your site! ACE.

It gives you so much info such as where people are from, what browser/operating system they're using, how long they spend onsite, which pages they've looked at, whether they've washed behind their ears and allsorts.

Ok, it doesn't tell you if people have washed behind their ears, but it probably will do in the future!! I can't believe I waited this long to start using it.

So, why the picture of Brunner Mond up top? Well, it seems somebody using their network was catching up on a bit Mendoza Midnight Madness, recently...

It makes you WIN.

TnM ;->

I want to live with common people...Sheffield 05/01/08

2008-01-06T19:17:00.000Z

I hadn't been to Sheffield for years, I saw it from a distance a while back and the one thing that stuck in my head were the sheer amount of tower blocks the city contained. Travelling over to the other side of the Pennines is never an unpleasant experience, so the chance to have a guided tour of one of the most iconic blocks of flats in the country wasn't to be sniffed at.

A number of us met just north of the massive Park Hill council estate around 11am on a bright and breezy winter's morning. Currently most of the estate is undergoing a huge facelift by the UrbanSplash development group, so all the skagheads have been tipped out to find somewhere else to spend their unfortunate lives. Result!

The following three paragraphs are taken from this website.

Completed in 1961, Park Hill was intended to provide local authority housing for thousands of people. A largely working-class industrial city, whose best days were behind it, the city fathers of Sheffield hoped that Park Hill would signal the rejuvenation of the town and provide quality homes in a deprived area.

Park Hill is one of the most spectacular examples of new approaches to communal living in post-war Britain. Consisting of 995 dwellings, and housing over two thousand people, it occupies an entire hill overlooking Sheffield city centre, and is built on a slope, so increases in height as the hill slopes away. The estate consists of huge snake-like blocks which contain the duplex apartments and the estate's famous 'streets in the sky'.

Park Hill was awarded a Grade 2* listing in 1998. Although an important milestone in the development of Modernist housing theory in post-war Britain, the public incredulity which greeted the award spoke volumes about the success of Park Hill and its 'streets in the sky'.

Whatever the public thought of them, whether resident or onlooker, I thought flats were stunning, they are huge, brutal, in your face concrete and here to stay. And the views from all levels, over Sheffield, including the roof, are second to none. Maybe it was because the sun was shining, maybe it wasn't, but there is no arguing that the city landscape is something to behold.

From the flats of Park Hill we then headed convoy style to the relative misery of Loxley College, a pikied mess of a school, the place was trashed. Still, I enjoyed clambering about in the rafters to get roof access, which proved our downfall. I might add at this point it wasn't me on the roof that was spotted by security making their rounds. Still nevermind, I was quite amused at the look on the cops faces as eleven of us (versus their four) traipsed upstairs (convoy style) and were told to line up.

Being face to face with four baton wielding coppers is never good, but given the fact we had an age range from teens to over fifty, once we'd explained what we were up to they seemed OK. In the end it was all smiles, and they even tried to help gain acces to Volvo's van 'cos he'd locked his keys in it. A big hats off to the Sheffield police, they could have been real t***s, but were a sound bunch of guys.

From the college we headed over to Doncaster to check out a couple of leads before heading for the cooling towers at the old Thorpe Marsh power station. To say I was impressed by the hugeness of them is an understatement, they are ACE! Sadly, by this point in the day the Relentless was wearing off and the cold was kicking in, so I only took a couple of pics, one to return too another time I reckon.

All in we had a great day, aside from some navigational errors courtesy of the Bungle phone sexyvoicesatnav, and certainly an area that we will be returning to before long.

Big thanks to Private Piles and the rest of the Sheffield guys for showing us round, it was a rare day, with even rarer geese!!

Visited with Bungle666, Havoc, Dodge, Jaff Fox, Tarboat, dcg, Private Piles, Tominator, Volvo, Nincocytus and others...

TnM :->

2007 - I've had the best of times and the worst of times - 31/12/07

2007-12-31T14:28:00.000Z

This will go down as one of those years to remember for me. I've met some great people, made some great friends.

Stood in places I really shoudn't have been standing, seen things that made me go 'WOW', had insane evenings dodging security, eaten things I probably shouldn't have eaten, been soaked, been filthy, been cut, bruised and battered.

Had some great times and some really great laughs along the way.

It's strange then as 2007 draws to a close, I can't help but think of the irony in my love of abandonment, and that I should be abandoned myself.

What further adventures await in the next 12 months....?

TnM :-[

Making headlines. Mendoza and miracles 19/12/07

2007-12-19T18:09:00.000Z

Seems the Knutsford Guardian were hot to trot with the tale of my recent accident, must have been a slow news week or something. In typical KG style they managed to make a story out of not very much. And they got their facts wrong, there were only four cars and one van.

Still, nothing like spicing things up, I particularly like the sub-heading 'House shook as cars crashed', well, I can tell you it wasn't the only thing fooking shaking, Andrew McCreaddie. And the quote from Alan Newnes 'It was complete bedlam' he said. 'One of the cars looked like it had almost disintegrated', Alan, you should have seen it from my perspective, I thought I was disintegrating!!

And this talk of miracles? I quote from halfway through the story (you'd think a miracle would have made it into the opening paragraph, wouldn't you, especially at this time of year!!):

Miraculously, though, no one was seriously injured but a street light was demolished.

Miraculously? 'Tis the season for miracles, you wait til the 25th, I'm gonna walk on water.

TnM :->

I've lost the exploring beanie!! 18/12/07

2007-12-18T20:30:00.000Z

I'm really quite annoyed at the minute.

There I am quietly driving home, thinking about stopping at my beloved Tesco's and picking up a glorious meat feast pizza or two when BANG! Something happened.

It was only about two hours ago and I'm still not sure what's just gone on. All I can recall is the screech of tyres, an explosion of airbags, uncontrollable spinning, a lot of swearing and two blokes standing by the remains of my drivers side window asking me if I'm ok.

It seems somebody, don't know who, I didn't see them, pulled in front of me travelling in the opposite direction. I was doing fifty, I'd imagine they were doing the same.

It hurts hitting a large metal object at that speed. Right now my left thumb is in agony, aching of the chest and lower back, left knee hurts, right eyelid and a bump to the noggin.

I should consider myself lucky though, I was able to walk away, although a little bit dazed, and riduculously high blood pressure, I've never been in a situation like it, hope I never am again, either.

And somewhere in the wreckage of my car is the exploring beanie, which must have shot off my head at quite a speed, I'm hoping it's on the back seat. There were five cars involved all in. It could have been so much worse.

Although I doubt any of the people who were asking about my welfare on the side of the road as I wandered about in a daze read this, I think I owe them I huge thanks, I couldn't have got out of my car without them.

TnM :(

Stoke, it's grim, one of those days...08/12/07

2007-12-09T16:54:00.000Z

Saturday was an odd day, I woke up at about 9am, hungover with no plan in place as to what we were meant to be getting upto.

All I knew was Havoc was gonna be out and Dodge was 'christmas shopping' (hope he hasn't forgotten my present). So, a couple of texts to the Romiley Wino and we had a plan, head over to Crewe to check out something I spotted a few weeks back then onto the college and finally down to Stoke. Sorted.

We arrived at the Crewe target at about half eleven only to be greeted by a large expanse of empty ground, a few piles of rubble and some rough looking fellas with large machinery. It was gone, whatever IT was, I never did find out.

Nevermind, onto the next target, the college. It is still open. Not closed. Active. In-use or, to put it another way, still on the list...off we went, heading South.

The last time I was in Stoke was a Wednesday afternoon about ten years ago, I remember commenting to a friend at the time, 'why does everyone look so unhappy?', he looked up from his cheeseburger, 'you're in Stoke, mate'.

Ten years later and the place looked worse than ever, maybe the weather didn't help, there had been a constant drizzle since we got off the motorway and the clouds overhead were threatening worse to come.

We headed for our next target, Tams Pottery, or we thought we had, but as ever, Havoc's lack of a map, pertinent information and a general idea of where were meant to be was ever present. So, a good hour of driving round asking people led us nowhere nearer to our target.

We actually bought a map in the end. Paid for it, even.

Tams Pottery, is a big old place, and after finding access, getting soaked on the way in, we spent a good twenty minutes or so inside before setting off the alarm, nobody told us there was an alarm, which meant running, which is always, always bad. We got soaked again on the way out.

I took a grand total of FIVE pictures inside. Five.

We sat in the car and discussed the plan for the rest of the day. God, it was grim. Stoke is full of dereliction, every corner you turn you're confronted by something that's been boarded up, but we were soaking wet and fed up, we decided to have a drive round, see if anything jumped out at us, we headed....actually, I have no idea which way we headed, I didn't even know where I was in the first place, but we ended up at a place called Trentham.

We actually stopped to have a look at a big old mausoleum (which may not actually be a mausoleum, it's empty, whatever it is) by the side of the road opposite Trentham Gardens. Havoc then pipes up 'Trentham Hall is empty', so we headed across the road, just as the clouds parted and the sun came out.

The first view of what was the family wing of Trentham Hall wasn't that inspiring, we approached from the back, although the clock tower kind of stood out. It was only when we headed round to the front of the building that we realised what a great looking place it really was. We found an access point and headed inside.

To be quite honest, there isn't a great deal to see inside, it's being used for storage although there are some cracking period fireplaces, Thomas the Tank Engine and cupboards full to brimming with mosquitoes!!

Despite the lack of stuff inside it's the outside that really grabs you, I can't emphasise how much I really, really liked this place. I can imagine myself sitting on the lawn on a sunny summer's day sipping tea and eating sandwiches.

Anyway, we spent about ninety minutes mooching around the estate (including the boat) before heading back over the Cheshire border to civilisation.

It was one of those days in UE that, despite your best efforts, it just doesn't go your way.

I'm only going to put the pics up from Trentham, because we didn't have to run away from alarm when we were there. And it wasn't raining.

TnM :->

Home Sweet Home....

2007-11-27T18:23:00.000Z

That's it then. We're in. Just got to find somewhere to put everything now. I have a feeling the charity shops around us are gonna be getting a visit this next week or two.

Thought I might introduce myself to the neighbours one evening this week, weather permitting.

;->

TnM

Moving house is hard work... :-<

2007-11-13T20:23:00.000Z

Well, finally after months of being f****d around by the Nationwide (possibly the world's worst building society) and settling with the Coventry Building Society (Yay!) we are moving. And what an absolute nightmare it is.

It's only 'til you start packing that you realise how much stuff (rubbish) you have. It isn't much fun. And my back is aching from a lifting and a carrying. Brunner Mond Winnington was easier than this.

Busy busy.

:-<

TnM

Eastlink Ferro Alloys, Glossop - 11/11/07.

2007-11-13T20:00:00.000Z

Well this was a pleasant surprise. A bunch of us checked this place out earlier this year only to find the place locked up tight. I had a couple of appointments in Glossop on Friday with an hour inbetween them so thought I'd head over and have a look.

The place was wide open! So, there I am halfway over the gate when some geezer walks out of one of the buildings and clocks me, 'Oy, what the **?!**? hell do you think your doing?', cue shaking of fist in my general direction, I slunk off back to the car.

An hour and a half later I returned and watched as the three guys onsite locked up and buggered off, by this time though it was half four, dark and starting to rain, so I called it a day.

Sunday comes around and I'm back in Glossop with more time inbetween appointments, sadly though, I'm wearing a suit, not ideal for exploring, but, needs must, and I'm off over the gate and onsite snapping away!!

The place closed I think in 2004 and produced ferro molybdenum for the world’s steel makers, which means absolutely nothing to me. All I know is it's industrial, dirty and downright photogenic, that ticks all the boxes for me!!

I reckon there's more to come from this site, and would have been if I had been suitably attired.

TnM :->

Pennine Way Hotel - 09/11/07

2007-11-13T18:35:00.000Z

The Pennnine Way Hotel in Oldham was built in 1972 and has 130 rooms and three stars, although when we were walking round I found it difficult to understand how, the housekeepers obviously hadn't been in for a while.

This seven storey concrete monstrosity of 70s design closed in August of 2006 after Oldham council bought it for an undisclosed sum (rumoured to be about £1.6M), the site is being cleared to make way for redevelopment of the town's West End.

Bungle and I have had our eye on this place for months and when the demolition team arrived onsite recently we realised it was now or never, besides, they would have to switch that bloody Redcare alarm off at SOME point!!

Plans were in place, we both had evening passes from our respective wives and/or girlfriends and the night was set. Then, some wino from Stockport decided he wanted in on it too, typical. So, the plans were changed and the wino and I arrived in Oldham at about half nine to hook up with Bungle and the man of mystery dcg, who had also decided to join the party.

Access to the site was fairly straightforward as was access to the building itself and once in we quickly realised the electricity had been cut. Leaving us free to wander around at will, so we headed to the roof.

After spending about forty minutes taking in the views we headed back down into the hotel itself but were a little disappointed by the lack of hotel goodness like beds and stuff, the place was rather bare, to say the least, although we did find some cracking 'wheels of Steel', that quickly had four cameras pointed at them from various directions.

Making our way down through the hotel to the kitchen area, Bungle spotted a police car outside, they'd pulled someone over, but were stood on the roadside opposite looking in our direction, considering the amount of torches we had, the place was probably lit up quite nicely. Anyway, the guy they'd stopped was plastered, leaving them with a load of paperwork and us with free reign. Result.

We stood in the darkness and watched them for about twenty minutes or so before the drunken idiot got out of the back of the cop car, locked his 4x4 and was eventually driven away by the cops in the direction of Five-Oh headquarters.

I think we spent about two and a half to three hours mooching round before making our exit, where we came face to face with a torch wielding pikey, thought we'd been busted at that point, 'til he ran off and jumped over the fence!!

I'm glad I did this one, an Oldham landmark that will soon be gone. Visited with Bungle, dcg and Havoc. A good night, very good.

TnM :->

P&F Ltd, Congleton - 03/11/07

2007-11-04T19:09:00.000Z

The second site we visited, convoy style with myself and Havoc leading the way while Dodge and TractorPirate got lost, left behind at traffic lights and struggled to get the Dodgemobile above thirty miles an hour, 'steady as she goes, son, steady as she goes, TractorPirate, pass me a hobnob, please'.

P&F A Division of Pressings and Fabrication Ltd manufactured parts for the automotive industry at a huge site somewhere in Congleton (up a hill and round a corner, I think), I dunno, Havoc was navigator, which meant many wrong turnings, dead ends and false starts!! :->

Anyway, we eventually arrived at the site and squeezed under the gate, the question was, why though? When we could have just stepped over a small wall, over yonder, you div! Dear, oh dear. lol.

Anyhoo, the site is made up of one massive continuous shed divided up into various bits dependent on what was being manufactured, a strong smell of car stuff was in the air (don't ask, I have a company car and people to look under the bonnet for me. I know where to put the petrol...diesel, even).

There is also a deceptively large admin/office area that included shelf upon shelf of paperwork as well as a nicely stocked parts store, very good. Havoc decided access to this bit needed to be as ungainly and difficult as our entrance to the site and headed off in an upwards direction, the rest of us went for a walk and found a way straight inside that required very little effort whatsoever.

A decent sized place, a bit bare in places, but the offices made up for it. And the other places on the list, well, they were a bit disappointing to say the least. A good day though, overall, and it was nice to have a new face out with us. :->

TnM

Henbury High School, Macclesfield - 03/11/07

2007-11-04T16:25:00.000Z

Young Master Dodgerat spotted this gem of a place a week or two ago when him and some mates managed to get lost in Macclesfield on the way to a latex, velcro and farming convention up in the hills.

So, after a nervy week or so, worrying incase some other local explorer found and did it before us, I headed down to have a little recce of the place on Wednesday, only to find the front gate wide open and access points galore. The urge to explore the place solo was strong but as Dodge found it I managed to resist, somehow, honestly!! ;->

Saturday came around, we had been in touch with a new explorer to the area, TractorPirate, who was coming out with us for the day, although I don't think she was quite prepared for the pace of Dodge and Havoc who verily run round buildings like they're being chased by some camp security guard intent on giving them a severe frisking!! I think she had a good time with us nevertheless.

What we found inside though surprised all of us, although there is a fair amount of damage to the windows and strip lights the whole site nearly has escaped the evil gaze of the copper stripping brethren of the caravan.

The place is largely intact with little or no graffiti, except that which was probably done on the last day of term earlier this year by pupils who would never be returning, except to smash the lights and windows, of course. The school closed in July.

A great little explore this one, it's just a shame we had a late start and a long list of targets for the day. I think I'll be popping back though, if I can find the time.

:->

TnM

E P Bray - Derbyshire - 20/10/07

2007-10-20T22:09:00.000+01:00

Paper suits, P3 masks and phunky colours are what this place is all about. I had a little recce a few days ago and clocked the unusual warning signs that warn respirators and full body suits should be worn, I say unusual, they're not really, I've just never seen that type before.

Anyway, a quick trip to my local DIY store of choice and a phone call or two to Dodge and Havoc we arrived on site on a beautiful sunny October morning.

Knowing how much of a twat I would look in a paper suit I elected to don mine in the privacy of the first room closest to the access point, Havoc and Dodge, however thought nothing of suiting up outside, in full view and to the delight and amusement of Derbyshire's trailwalkers, they really have no shame....

The first thing that strikes you about this former pigment manufacturer is the amazing colours of the dyes that have stained the factory floor, walls and ceilings, stairs, light switches, notebooks, tools, doors and windows absolutely everything in fact, and it's not an unpleasant effect, either.

The factory is deceptively small, considering how big it looks from the outside, mainly consisting of large colourful rooms, a few labs (which I neglected to take any pictures of), shower rooms and storage areas and whatnot, but the colourful bits make up for it in spades.

I can't find anything about the history of the place using the usual methods and even Google struggles to throw anything up, so I'll just get on with the pictures.

A nice little explore this one, I enjoyed it.

TnM

Akzo Nobel, Littleborough - 13/10/07

2007-10-14T11:08:00.000+01:00

Dropped by this place after a slightly disappointing morning looking at a couple of hospitals that, one way or another still had occupants, who weren't there for medical treatment either, which was a bit of a rum doo!! However, we did find out some useful info from a trio of pikies, 'tunnels, you say? Running hither and thither?', a return trip is in the offing.

This was a lead provided by the man of mystery, dcg and was visitied with Havoc, who, I happened to notice, has taken to wearing an exploring cardigan, it's the future, I'm thinking about adding a pipe at some point and maybe some leather patches for my elbows.

The site comes in two flavours, large empty, industrial sized sheds with little of interest and smaller but ultimately more rewarding offices and labs. From what little paperwork there is we could only ascertain that the place was in use until the end of 2006.

Chemicals, tasty, coffee please, milk and three spoonfuls of phosphorous pentoxide.

The place has been visted by copper thieving pikies, either that or the last day leavers party was really wild...

Wooo!

Safe. As Havoc would say.

He must be so proud.

And that's that. Wasn't really feeling this one, must have been the weather or something.

TnM

Brunner Mond, Winnington 09/10/07

2007-10-10T11:08:00.000+01:00

What started as a chance remark after our recent trip to Brunner Mond's Lostock site, something along the lines of, 'well, we're on a hat trick now, aren't we', turned into a couple of nights of me (being closest), once again, mooching round Northwich in the early hours, looking for access to the mother of all Northwich industry, Brunner Mond, Winnington.

Finding site access proved simple enough, but this place is a constant hive of activity, with an extremely active (and effective-ish) security presence, being on site for about ten minutes we encountered a foot patrol, who called for back up in the shape of a 4x4 with a couple of dudes in it. We hit the deck, thus marking the start of a 4 or 5 hour game of hide and seek, the consequences of losing...well...fook it, we didn't intend losing...

So, after hiding out in some bushes for a while, we made our way further into the site, which is lit up in all directions, casting huge comedy shadows, wither you look and wither you run. The noise from the site is incredible, as various automated processes to deliver different materials from one end of the place to the other, start up, unexpectedly, around you.

Flitting about the site from shadow to shadow, stopping now and then to take a picture, or spotting site personnel, we managed to stay ahead of security, until we headed deep into the belly of the beast. Havoc, leading the way, jumped into a 'soda corridor', I followed a minute later. Kicking up a dry cloud of soda dust as we climbed the stairs, hoping to head up to the top of the silos', it was a no go, back down the stairs to our access point.

SHIT!

One of the security 4x4s was parked right outside, Havoc, clumsy tw*t, went arse over tit on a squishy patch of soda ash, I legged it back inside, Havoc followed, the cloud we'd created at this point was all over the room, up a set of stairs, hoping to get along and back down, shit, no go, again, back down the stairs, over a small soda mountain onto a soda conveyor, out the door and head first into a handy clump of reeds.

By this point we were covered in the white stuff (soda ash, people, keep it clean), from head to toe, it was in our eyes, noses and mouths. Not for the first time this evening, we laid low for 15 or twenty minutes and discussed a plan of action. The plan said, it's time to leave.

Security, on the other hand, had different ideas. Heading back towards our access point, security. Back into the shadows. Tried a different route, security. This wasn't good. It was getting on for half three in the morning, I had to be up for work at half seven. Third point, security. These guys meant business.

We eventually managed to get off site sometime between four and four thirty AM, it was raining, we were grubby, grumpy, tired and wet (the three other dwarfs decided not to come).

But at least security hadn't collared us. A fantastic site, very hard work, but well worth the effort.

TnM

Tax rebate, woo!

2007-10-04T09:44:00.000+01:00

Rather unexpected, too. Normally when a letter from HM Customs and Excise drops onto the doormat a cold shiver runs up my spine, 'oh, god, who told them?' lol. But as it turns out, I'm 47 quid better off thanks to a recent change of tax code, which is better than a kick in the bollox.

;->

TnM

Brunner Mond, Lostock - 28/09/07

2007-09-28T14:28:00.000+01:00

I've lost count of the number of times I've driven past this immense place, usually on my way to Tesco's in Northwich for a Meat Feast pizza (2 for 4quid, bargain people, thin&crispy, mind), and the number of times I asked myself, 'wonder what it's like in there, at night, in September, maybe on a Thursday, with a skinhead from Stockport?'.

Well, I stopped asking myself and started recceing the place instead, and for a few nights over the last couple of weeks I found myself wandering round the outside of the fence, peering through holes and generally being a nosey bugger.

Then, last night, all the planning paid off. Initially this was supposed to be a three person trip but Dodge was celebrating his birthday, and with the imminent return of my missus from her business trip, this was going to be the last night I would have to get out and do something daft, for a while, anyway, I am SO under the thumb.

The plans were in place, 11pm we were going in. Well, eleven o'clock came and went cos we were in Tesco's, and Havoc, who'd come dressed like a Star Wars reject (I said dark clothes, mate, not Darth, at least you weren't wearing your feathery chav shoes lol) wanted to scare some of the locals in his jackboots and threatening Stockport drawl. Unfortunately, he chose a healthy pasta salad, and we all laughed at him, even the Scouse lady and I've never seen her laugh.

Access to the site was simple enough, though with the place lit up like Blackpool illuminations, staying hidden wasn't going to be simple. Aware that we were likely going to bump into Brunner Mond personnel, as I had done on one of my recces, we proceeded cautiously and carefully into the bowels of the factory.

Creeping around, jumping at the sound of clanking machinery, pipes that randomly go 'Pffsssshhh', freezing on the spot everytime we saw a bit of tape flapping in the wind in the distance, nerves, understandably, were on edge, and I'll tell you what, it was bloody warm in there. Although I blame myself for that, what with two pairs of trousers, two pairs of socks, a t-shirt, a jumper, THE exploring cardigan and a hat, and a scarf...and a jacket, well, the nights are drawing in, aren't they. :-<

We settled in after about twenty or so minutes on site, which didn't last very long at all, I spotted a security patrol away in the distance and I'm pretty sure he spotted me. Havoc launched himself at breakneck speed through the factory, I sort of ambled along behind him grumbling about the route he'd chosen, straight through a whiffy puddle that smelt rather strongly of ammonia.

Finding a dark corner, we laid low near the disused power station and discussed our options, 'well, we've come this far', 'indeed, let's stick around'. So, we took some pictures, obviously.

Relaxing slightly we continued the explore, moving through testing areas, offices, store rooms etc, all the time heading closer to the evening's objective, the silos that form one of the main parts of the site.

Creeping closer and heading into what is one of the more active areas. Areas where we knew security and workers were likely to be. And they were.

Bugger.

Slipping quietly closer to a canteen we came across a vending machine, exploring, being thirsty work, we headed toward it, sadly, for us, a chap walked around the corner, straight into us, at which point we ran, like Forrest Gump, maybe a little quicker, straight back to the shadowy area of the site.

Run Forrest, run! And this time, I really did.

A quick meeting at that point, the decision was made, get the hell out of there, it was approaching 2am, security would be all over us, three strikes and your out.

Quickly off site and back to the car to toast Dodge's birthday and a mostly successful explore with a beer (only one, mind).

Thanks for joining me Havoc, it wouldn't have been half as much fun without you, rofl, no way!

It was certainly an interesting night, I just can't stop laughing to myself about the poor chap who bumped into us, I wonder what he told his wife?

TnM

Oh, what a night!!

2007-09-28T04:44:00.000+01:00

Wow, I'm still grinning from ear to ear after tonight's little adventure. Havoc and I spent a good two hours exploring one of the biggest industrial sites in the Northwest, Brunner Mond, Lostock, before getting busted by a rather startled night shift worker.

Sir, to you, I am truly sorry, I have no idea what you must have thought when you walked around the corner, but I very much doubt you expected a couple of chaps with cameras, nice overalls by the way, the burgundy colour sets off your greying beard nicely.

A hugely impressive place, but, it's rather early in the morning and I have to be up for work soon. More to follow on this beast of a site!!

;->

TnM

I think I might be pregnant!!!

2007-09-25T13:57:00.000+01:00

For the third morning running I've been sick, about an hour or two after I get up. Rather worrying really, being a chap and whatnot! A bit random, I realise, but I thought you would want to congratulate me.

Hmmm...

TnM

Bridon Wire Works - 22/09/07

2007-09-24T18:22:00.000+01:00

Visited the old wireworks on Ambergate near Belper with Havoc on our Derbyshire day trip. Rolling up in Matlock Bath, Havoc, feeling the need to resample the manky chicken burger that made me feel slightly dodgy down the hole last week, went for second helpings, it didn't get any better, the lad'll never learn... :->

In 1876 Richard Johnson and Nephew opened the wireworks, he had a place in Manchester as well as Ambergate and employed about 1000 workers and specialized in telegraph and fencing wire, wire rope, tinned mattress wire, etc, at one point the company had tendered for an order of 3,400 tons of wire to form the main cables of the Brooklyn Bridge, in the late 1860s.

The ex-Bridon Ropes and Johnson and Nephew site has been vacant since the wireworks closed 11 or 12 years ago.

In its heyday it employed 500 people. It was taken over by the Bridon Group in 1990 and closed in 1996 with the loss of 120 jobs. LB Plastics have since bought the site, currently employing 50 people making plastic doors.

There is a public right of way through the site and most of the disused buildings are accessible, the sheds where the rope and wire was manufactured were incredile, in terms of scale, rather empty, and a bit grubby underfoot, but nevertheless, it made for an interesting mooch.

We did have a quick look at the 'live' part of the site, making our way through the woods, sadly to no avail, cue comedic exit as I slide graciously under a gate, much to the bemusement of Havoc and a couple of dog walkers: 'we're just taking pictures, honestly, lol'. Righto. Here's the pics.

TnM

Amber Dye Works - 22/09/07

2007-09-23T17:19:00.000+01:00

**EDIT TWO**

Ok, I said I would get round to writing a few words about our trip to this place, just taken me a little longer than I expected!!

This was one of a few places on a list that Havoc had come up with in the area of Belper, Derbyshire, and as we drove past the wireworks on the way in, and drove past the wireworks on the way in, and drove past...(you get the idea, the warehouses are huge!!), we thought we would carry on and do Stevenson's Dyers first.

Our first sight of the place looked promising ;->, security on the main gate, cctv camera pointing at us, no worries, there was a footpath down the side of the place, must be worth a look. So, we found ourselves on site, and cautiously made our way around, wary in case we walk into any further security measures, we didn't, happy days!! The place is an interesting mix of large empty warehouse type buildings to smaller office type places. The power is still on, with computer servers still humming away, and phone lines still connected, makes you wonder, who is paying the bills?

Started in 1865 Stevensons was transformed from a small family business to one which occupied a 17 acre site adjacent to the River Amber, in Derbyshire. The factory closed as a dye works in December 2006, although there is still some activity on the site, I really couldn't tell you what this entails or elaborate on that matter.

A brief article from the BBC about the closure can be found here.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/6199833.stm

And some interesting, historical pictures can be found on this link, you may recognise the 'bridge' in my photgraph, although taken from the opposite direction, I think it makes interesting viewing.

http://www.cromfordcanal.org.uk/c1old.html

TnM

Hope you enjoy the slideshow.

*EDIT* It seems I haven't taken into account people use web browsers other than IE and viewing the slideshow may be problematic, in fact you'll probably only see a random set of tags below, anyway, you can see a larger version of it here

pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" />

Something interesting...

2007-09-22T10:09:00.000+01:00

...will be out having a good nosey in Derbyshire today, and, if all goes according to plan I should have an interesting little multimedia presentation up on the site in the next couple of days. I, much like the next man, love it when a plan comes together, here's hoping...

Big, big industry today!!

TnM

Middleton/Hopton Mines pictures - 15/09/07.

2007-09-19T12:46:00.000+01:00

Finally, I seem to be learning to drive this blog thingumyjig, even if I'm having formatting issues!! ;-< Here's the rest of the pictures from our trip down the hole. I seem to have a thing for dusty telephones, it reminds me of somewhere else I shouldn't have been recently!!

;->

TnM

Middleton/Hopton Mine - 15/09/07

2007-09-18T21:34:00.001+01:00

Middleton/Hopton Mine just outside Matlock Bath in Derbyshire was the UKs only limestone mine and at its height of production was extracting around 120,000 tonnes of limestone a year, the tunnels below ground stretch for about 25 miles with some caverns being as much as 13 metres wide by 16 metres high. The thought of having a mooch around inside rather appealed to me, and also to my exploring buddy, Havoc.

Having been in touch with a chap who was extremely knowledgable about the place and who gave us a few pointers regarding how dangerous the place was, for instance:

****** says: well, I might be telling you how to suck eggs here, but it's f*****g dangerous down there
****** says: it's also like a rabbit warren
Mendoza says: how so?
****** says: drops with no edges
****** says: middleton is like walking through an underground bunker complex

You know who you are, thank you!

Well, well, this all made for interesting stuff!! So, off we went, headlamps? Check. Torches? Check. Spare batteries, tripods, manky chicken burger and chips for lunch? Check. How to actually find the place? Well, kind of, so errm check, eventually.

Anyway, once we arrived on site the two of us are walking up the main drive only to meet a chap driving towards us:

Chap: Where do you think you're going, lads?
Us: Just going to take a few pictures, mate.
Chap: Pictures, eh? OK then, no worries.
Us: Thanks mate.

Well, that was an open invitation. So off we went, headed towards the mine entrance, which was a whole lot easier to get into than we'd imagined and once inside, wow! Pure massiveness, on a massive scale, quite breathtaking, really.

This being our first underground experience I don't think we were quite as prepared as we thought we were, once away from the entrance and sunlight, darkness takes over, completly, the temperature drops, rapidly, the moisture in the air prevents you from seeing more than a few feet in front of you, unless you hold your breath, your senses begin to work in an entirely different way, it was unnerving and exhilarating, to say the least.

I'll be honest, I've never done a great deal of low light/no light photography, so the learning curve was fairly steep, even with headtorches, torches and a decent Nikon flash it was bloody hard work, however, I'm pretty pleased with the way they've turned out.

The main problem we faced was the sheer scale of the place, the torches and flashes we took just didn't have the power to reach the walls and ceilings that stretched away above and around us, but we persevered and came away with some pictures we're happy with.

Anyhow, we spent somewhere in the region of two and a half to three hours underground, making our way from the Hopton entrance down and around the main drag to the Middleton side (which is covered by CCTV, on the outside, anyway). Barely scratching the surface of what must be one of the most impressive places I have ever set foot.

I have a feeling though, a return trip may be in order, given subsequent info recieved... ;->

TnM