Ghostbase http://ghostbase.fotopic.net/ 12 rows en-gb 60 Thames Forts Part One http://ghostbase.fotopic.net/c1767435.html Sunday 11th October 2009 and a long-held personal ambition finally came true on the third attempt! The occasion was the paddle-steamer SS Waverley 'Thames Forts' cruise from Tower Bridge and Southend. In 2006 the cruise was diverted to the Medway because of bad weather (we got soaked!), we gave 2007 a miss because I was at work, and in 2008 the cruise was so popular that we had to disembark at Southend and so missed the forts. Never mind, the aftermath of a recession in 2009 and a not-too-good weather forecast saw us boarding the Waverley at Southend and after so many years I was able to see the Thames Forts up close from a vintage paddle-steamer. Historical reminders start immediately upon leaving the mile long Southend pier. Just opposite Southend and 3000 yds off the Sheerness shoreline lies the Richard Montgomery, a wrecked WW2 Liberty Ship which foundered with 7000 tons of explosive in 1944. She was anchored over the Sheerness Middle Sand and when the tide went out she broke her back due to an error of misjudgement. There are still 3500 tons of explosives buried in the mud within the broken hulk and she is surveyed annually to check just how great the danger is to the local area. To date the reports have been that she be best left alone and her three masts are still clearly visible, surrounded by a constellation of warning buoys and signs. Also visible was a section of the Mulberry Harbour which became stranded when being towed out to sea on 5th June 1944. She has since broken into two sections and proves to be a dangerous lure to the adventurous when the tide is out! Behind the Mulberry section can be seen the tall pilings of the former WW2 anti-submarine 'fence' or boom. This was part of a system of fences, boats and nets which denied enemy submarines access to the Thames Estuary and the docks towards London. The first highlight of this visit was to finally see the Red Sands Maunsell Army Fort. This somewhat unearthly looking reinforced concrete and steel construction consists of seven towers consisting of a central Control Tower, four Gun Towers, a Bofors Tower, and a slightly removed Searchlight Tower. The sections were floated out to their present site in late 1943, acted as a useful deterrent to enemy aircraft, and were finally abandoned in 1958. In 1964 Red Sands become the site of pirate radio; first Radio Invicta, then K.I.N.G, then Radio 390. However, the radio era ended in July 1967 and all that remains today are a few faded painted signs on the outside of a couple of the towers. The Waverley quickly steamed past the Red Sands towers and we headed to the next next of the Thames Forts. The weather was rapidly getting worse with the threat of rain and poor visibility, did we make it in time? See Part Two - coming soon! Sunday 11 October 2009: Sunday 11th October 2009 and a long-held personal ambition finally came true on the third attempt! The occasion was the paddle-steamer SS Waverley 'Thames Forts' cruise from Tower Bridge and Southend. In 2006 the cruise was diverted to the Medway because of bad weather (we got soaked!), we gave 2007 a miss because I was at work, and in 2008 the cruise was so popular that we had to disembark at Southend and so missed the forts. Never mind, the aftermath of a recession in 2009 and a not-too-good weather forecast saw us boarding the Waverley at Southend and after so many years I was able to see the Thames Forts up close from a vintage paddle-steamer. Historical reminders start immediately upon leaving the mile long Southend pier. Just opposite Southend and 3000 yds off the Sheerness shoreline lies the Richard Montgomery, a wrecked WW2 Liberty Ship which foundered with 7000 tons of explosive in 1944. She was anchored over the Sheerness Middle Sand and when the tide went out she broke her back due to an error of misjudgement. There are still 3500 tons of explosives buried in the mud within the broken hulk and she is surveyed annually to check just how great the danger is to the local area. To date the reports have been that she be best left alone and her three masts are still clearly visible, surrounded by a constellation of warning buoys and signs. Also visible was a section of the Mulberry Harbour which became stranded when being towed out to sea on 5th June 1944. She has since broken into two sections and proves to be a dangerous lure to the adventurous when the tide is out! Behind the Mulberry section can be seen the tall pilings of the former WW2 anti-submarine 'fence' or boom. This was part of a system of fences, boats and nets which denied enemy submarines access to the Thames Estuary and the docks towards London. The first highlight of this visit was to finally see the Red Sands Maunsell Army Fort. This somewhat unearthly looking reinforced concrete and steel construction consists of seven towers consisting of a central Control Tower, four Gun Towers, a Bofors Tower, and a slightly removed Searchlight Tower. The sections were floated out to their present site in late 1943, acted as a useful deterrent to enemy aircraft, and were finally abandoned in 1958. In 1964 Red Sands become the site of pirate radio; first Radio Invicta, then K.I.N.G, then Radio 390. However, the radio era ended in July 1967 and all that remains today are a few faded painted signs on the outside of a couple of the towers. The Waverley quickly steamed past the Red Sands towers and we headed to the next next of the Thames Forts. The weather was rapidly getting worse with the threat of rain and poor visibility, did we make it in time? See Part Two - coming soon!

The WW2 Mulberry Harbour section which became stranded when being towed out to sea on 5th June 1944. In the distance the former WW2 anti-submarine 'fence' or boom can be seen. The remains of the WW2 Liberty ship Richard Mongomerey which lay off Sheerness. Our first view of the Red Sands Maunsell Army Fort whilst overhauling the sand dredger 'Arco Djik'. The Ethel Ada, an 82ft wooden spritsail-rigged sailing Thames barge built in Paglesham in Essex by the Shuttlewood Brothers in 1903, and named after the two wives of the shipwrights. Her hull is oak on oak frames, the bottom boards being of pitch pine. The Red Sands Searchlight Tower. A closer view of the Searchlight Tower, some painted signs are just about visible on the walls. Believed to be the G4 Gun Tower. To the fore the Bofors tower, the Control Tower is in the centre, and the G3 Gun Tower is in the background. A close up of the Bofors Tower, lettering from her pirate radio days can be clearly seen. In the foreground a clear view of the Control Tower, note the number of connecting walkways she used to have; the remains of one walkway can still be seen. The G3 Gun Tower is behind her. Gun Tower G1 which has been modified as a platform for scientific equipment. Gun Tower G2 is almost directly behind her. The Control Tower surrounded by Gun Towers. The sand dredger 'Arco Djik' passes by on the other side of the fort. The Searchlight Tower from a distance. Various moored ships can be seen in the background. A last view of the Red Sands fort as we steam onward to the next Maunsell Army Fort.

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]]> Sun Oct 11 2009 Encampment, Wyoming http://ghostbase.fotopic.net/c1764446.html This is the first time I have ever seen these large metal driers and I suspect that they work in the same way as tobacco leaf drying houses. This one was in a timber yard in Encampment WY and I *think* was used to dry logs for use in the construction of log cabins. Encampment used to be a service area for a number of mining towns in the Medicine Bow Mountain area as well as the site of a large smelter so that would make sense. The two storey privy (photographed in the local museum) was an all-weather version. The lower level was used in the summer months but the snowfall levels in the winters in this region can literally be measured in many feet per snowfall, this would literally block the doors at ground level hence the invention of the two-storey privy. Note that both levels were not used at the same time! Monday 5 October 2009: This is the first time I have ever seen these large metal driers and I suspect that they work in the same way as tobacco leaf drying houses. This one was in a timber yard in Encampment WY and I *think* was used to dry logs for use in the construction of log cabins. Encampment used to be a service area for a number of mining towns in the Medicine Bow Mountain area as well as the site of a large smelter so that would make sense. The two storey privy (photographed in the local museum) was an all-weather version. The lower level was used in the summer months but the snowfall levels in the winters in this region can literally be measured in many feet per snowfall, this would literally block the doors at ground level hence the invention of the two-storey privy. Note that both levels were not used at the same time!

An old wood drier An old wood drier The top of an old wood drier The two storey privy!

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]]> Mon Oct 5 2009 Willard - Logan Co - CO http://ghostbase.fotopic.net/c1762652.html Willard in Logan County, N.E Colorado, was our first 'Ghost' town visit in September 2009 and took place early morning on Tuesday 8th September. It was a beautiful morning in the warm late-summer sunshine and the very small town had an interesting mix of current inhabitants as well as many reminders of a much larger past. Willard was originally established in 1888, failed, then re-started in 1910. There was a railroad line through the town and this is still marked by the grain elevators and the trackbed is still clear to see on aerial photographs. I got the impression that much had been cleared up and there were only a few buildings and foundations left. However the beautiful views out over the N.E. Colorado grasslands made this a great start to two weeks in the USA and I think the photos came out well. I am indebted to Jay Warburton at the Ghosttowns.Com website, his visit to Willard in 2000 inspired my visit and it is interesting to see how little has changed in nine years. Thursday 1 October 2009: Willard in Logan County, N.E Colorado, was our first 'Ghost' town visit in September 2009 and took place early morning on Tuesday 8th September. It was a beautiful morning in the warm late-summer sunshine and the very small town had an interesting mix of current inhabitants as well as many reminders of a much larger past. Willard was originally established in 1888, failed, then re-started in 1910. There was a railroad line through the town and this is still marked by the grain elevators and the trackbed is still clear to see on aerial photographs. I got the impression that much had been cleared up and there were only a few buildings and foundations left. However the beautiful views out over the N.E. Colorado grasslands made this a great start to two weeks in the USA and I think the photos came out well. I am indebted to Jay Warburton at the Ghosttowns.Com website, his visit to Willard in 2000 inspired my visit and it is interesting to see how little has changed in nine years.

An old tractor abandoned in a field. The old grain elevators. The Willard Methodist church appears to still be in use and is kept in immaculate condition. The Willard Mercantile Store The store again. The door was open! A view inside the mercantile store from the door. What a magnificent view! The street sign is still maintained by Logan County. Another surviving but abandoned building. In relatively good condition and posted. This abandoned building was deteriorating somewhat. A nice photo in the early morning sun. A lot still remains inside. Some old foundations in the grass. A view along Central Avenue. A seat and a bath! The American Heritage book was marked as 'released' from the Willard School in 1958. Perhaps this is when the school closed? Proof there was a railway through Willard. A different view of the grain elevators. They look just a tad rickety. You had to be there! Believed to be the foundations of the schoolhouse at Willard.

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]]> Thu Oct 1 2009 Dinton & Chilmark, Wilts - 16th April 2005 http://ghostbase.fotopic.net/c1739028.html It is April 2005 and a friend has offered to take me for a flight in his microlight which is based at Old Sarum Airfield, just a few miles north of Salisbury in Wiltshire. Our optimum flight time is about one hour which means we can aim for a fifty to sixty mile journey to a destination of my choice. I decided to head west following the L&SWR railway route as far as Semley, then south to Shaftesbury, then a dog's leg back to Old Sarum. My objective was to take as many photographs as I could of a number of sites en-route; these included the former ammunition storage depots at Dinton and Chilmark, HMP Guy's Marsh, and my old shool at Shaftesbury. It was a typical April day, quite gusty, a few light rain showers, not too warm. This was the first time I had ever tried photography with my DSLR camera from a microlight and overall I was pleased with the results. This selection of 20 photos feature sites of military historical significance, I hope you find them of interest. Please refer to the photo captions for details. Michael Tuesday 11 August 2009: It is April 2005 and a friend has offered to take me for a flight in his microlight which is based at Old Sarum Airfield, just a few miles north of Salisbury in Wiltshire. Our optimum flight time is about one hour which means we can aim for a fifty to sixty mile journey to a destination of my choice. I decided to head west following the L&SWR railway route as far as Semley, then south to Shaftesbury, then a dog's leg back to Old Sarum. My objective was to take as many photographs as I could of a number of sites en-route; these included the former ammunition storage depots at Dinton and Chilmark, HMP Guy's Marsh, and my old shool at Shaftesbury. It was a typical April day, quite gusty, a few light rain showers, not too warm. This was the first time I had ever tried photography with my DSLR camera from a microlight and overall I was pleased with the results. This selection of 20 photos feature sites of military historical significance, I hope you find them of interest. Please refer to the photo captions for details. Michael

My wings for the day, a Pegasus Quantum 15-912 microlight as well as one willing pilot. To be honest I was a bit nervous about this flight - my 'wings' are normally a Boeing 747 or a 777 so this 'motorcycle of the air' was a departure from the normal for me. A nice view over my pilot's shoulder. The sky is a bit moody and we were caught by strong updraughts several times which is actually quite scary! We are heading South West with a view to bisecting the Salisbury-Exeter railway line. Our first view of the former Baverstock Base Depot which was constructed in 1944 for the 9th Air Force (USAAF). It is now a civilian site. A good view of the former RAF Chilmark, a major underground bomb store dating back to before WW2. Lots more detail of the former RAF Chilmark, many of the ammunition storage bunkers are clearly visible in the photo. A good view of Moses Wood with two bunkers still clearly visible from the air. This is HMP Guy's Marsh, located just a few miles SW of Shaftesbury. It became a borstal in 1960 and is now a prison. I was interested in this site because it was originally built as a rest and recuperation centre for the USAAF in WW2 and the Luftwaffe attempted to bomb it during the war. It then became a transit camp for USAF airmen entering Great Britain via Marchwood in the 50's. I really wanted to take a look at this site to see if there were any remains to indicate its use prior to 1960. On our flight back to Old Sarum, we skirted just south of the former RAF Chilmark again and I managed to get this photo of the old rail transfer sheds (the L/H of the photo) and the RGHQ (Regional Government Headquarters) which served the eastern zone of the Number 7 South Western Home Defence Region, covering the counties of Gloucestershire, Avon, Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset. It was designated as RGHQ 7.1. I remember this being constructed (I lived in the area) and seems strange that this is now in private hands. Heading back to Old Sarum, we were just south of the old RAF Dinton ordnance site and the former L&SWR rail route. This was a great view down into the Fovant Woods which used to be a major ammunition storage area with many bunkers. I believe there was a narrow gauge railway connecting the bunkers with the Dinton rail head area. Catherine Ford Lane is at the top of the photo. Another aerial view of the Fovant Woods ammunition storage area. I forget where I found out that this was believed to be a Soviet counterforce nuclear target however at the tender age of 15 in the 70's I was horrified to discover that my whole day could be seriously be ruined by the 'popping' of a nuke over this site. 30 years later I am older and wiser but still thankful that it never happened. The Fovant Badges, these are clearly visible from the A30. During WW1 this whole area was a vast military camp with a light railway running from Dinton to the camps - some of the track of this railway is still visible today. East Farm is in the lower R/H of the photo as is Chiselbury iron age fort in the centre. A distant view of Dinton and Baverstock from my perch atop the microlight. A nice view of one of the Fovant Wood ammunition storage bunkers. Just south of Baverstock, a close-up aerial view of the former Dinton-Baverstock 9th USAAF Supply Depot, 455th AAA. A larger view of the former Baverstock depot with some of Dinton village visible in the background. The railway line in the foreground is the former L&WSR main line from Salisbury to Exeter, now operated by South West Trains. From Wikipedia: Old Sarum is the site of the earliest settlement of Salisbury, in England. The site contains evidence of human habitation as early as 3000 BC. Old Sarum is mentioned in some of the earliest records in the country. It sits on a hill about two miles north of modern Salisbury. Old Sarum was originally a hill fort strategically placed on the conjunction of two trade routes and the River Avon, Hampshire. The hill fort is broadly oval in shape. 400 m (1300 feet) in length and 360 m (1200 feet) in width, it consists of a bank and ditch with an entrance on the eastern side. This photograph was taken from the south east of Old Sarum while crossing over the grass runway and joining the landing pattern in the downwind leg. Much of the old military airfield has become industrial units however the middle third of the hangars etc are still used for aviation purposes. Careful viewing will reveal that there are still some remnants of use by the Royal Air Force many years ago. In a few seconds we will have landed at Old Sarum! A grass field landing in a microlight is quite disconcerting as the rate of descent in comparison to forward speed is relatively high. Sitting on a lightweight fibreglass body suspended beneath a flimsy fabric wing is not for the faint-hearted! Having landed at Old Sarum my UE quest is not yet finished! This is one of the old Belfast type hangers which was constructed at Old Sarum in 1917 by the Royal Flying Corps. These large hangers were quickly constructed using the cheap and easy to assemble Belfast type of roof truss, of which few examples remain in the UK. Absolutely beautiful!

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]]> Tue Aug 11 2009 Tucumcari NM - Sand-Dorsey Drug Store http://ghostbase.fotopic.net/c1736181.html The historic 1910 Sand-Dorsey drug store in downtown Tucumcari NM after the fire of June 2007. Photos taken on a Sunday morning in April 2008. Tuesday 4 August 2009: The historic 1910 Sand-Dorsey drug store in downtown Tucumcari NM after the fire of June 2007. Photos taken on a Sunday morning in April 2008.

Welcome to downtown Tucumcari! In reality a Sunday morning is not this crowded. The burnt out Sand-Dorsey drug store. More detail of this painted signage. Love the old Americana paintings. More detail of this painted signage As near as I could get. Some old signs fading in the sun. How long ago does this go back to? Looks 1950's to me. Nothing left upstairs. One of the other burnt out stores, the mural tries to make it look better. The burnt out Sand-Dorsey drug store.

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]]> Tue Aug 4 2009 Clearwell Caves - Old Trains http://ghostbase.fotopic.net/c1718308.html A short break in the Forest of Dean (Glos, UK) in June 2009. Whilst taking a walk we found the Clearwell Caves Museum which is near Coleford. The Clearwell Caves were originally an old iron ore mine which closed in 1945 and has more recently re-opened as a tourist attraction. As always I was interested in the junkpile of disused equipment which was out of public view and I just had to take a look. Good thing I did because slowly being reclaimed by nature were two old diesel mine locomotives and their carriages. I have been unable to find any detailed information on these locomotives however I believe they were built by Hudswell Clarke in Leeds and date back to the 1920's. They photographed very nicely anyway. Sunday 28 June 2009: A short break in the Forest of Dean (Glos, UK) in June 2009. Whilst taking a walk we found the Clearwell Caves Museum which is near Coleford. The Clearwell Caves were originally an old iron ore mine which closed in 1945 and has more recently re-opened as a tourist attraction. As always I was interested in the junkpile of disused equipment which was out of public view and I just had to take a look. Good thing I did because slowly being reclaimed by nature were two old diesel mine locomotives and their carriages. I have been unable to find any detailed information on these locomotives however I believe they were built by Hudswell Clarke in Leeds and date back to the 1920's. They photographed very nicely anyway.

The diesel mine locomotive. There are two locomotives and their carriages in this photo. Doors which allow stretchers to be loaded. Iron ore mining was a dangerous occupation. Radiator grille. Munufactured by Hudswell Clarke, Leeds UK. Built in 1921? Locomotive driver's console. More carriages. Slowly being reclaimed by nature This unidentified diesel locomotive is on display at the public entrance to the Clearwell Caves. Advertising the caves.

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]]> Sun Jun 28 2009 Lavonia GA - Old Drive-In Theater http://ghostbase.fotopic.net/c1687422.html Back to April 2004 and we are driving through Lavonia, a small town of around 1800 people in Franklin County, Georgia and spotted the remains of this old drive-in theater. Clearly it had been closed for some time and had more recently been used as an 'affordable mobile home' trading lot; this in turn had also gone out of business! Despite many visits to the USA I had never seen an outdoor drive-in theater before so out of curiosity we stopped and took a quick look. Drive-in theaters were very popular in the late 50's and early 60's and there were something like 4000 spread across the USA. This would have been called a Hi-Way or a Starlite perhaps. The drive-in was killed off by colour tv, the VCR, video rental, daylight saving hours and bad weather as well as the increasing value of the land they occupied. Very few of these are operating today and those that do are more nostalgic novelties than profit-making businesses. Saturday 25 April 2009: Back to April 2004 and we are driving through Lavonia, a small town of around 1800 people in Franklin County, Georgia and spotted the remains of this old drive-in theater. Clearly it had been closed for some time and had more recently been used as an 'affordable mobile home' trading lot; this in turn had also gone out of business! Despite many visits to the USA I had never seen an outdoor drive-in theater before so out of curiosity we stopped and took a quick look. Drive-in theaters were very popular in the late 50's and early 60's and there were something like 4000 spread across the USA. This would have been called a Hi-Way or a Starlite perhaps. The drive-in was killed off by colour tv, the VCR, video rental, daylight saving hours and bad weather as well as the increasing value of the land they occupied. Very few of these are operating today and those that do are more nostalgic novelties than profit-making businesses.

Starting with the view from the road, the back of the theater screen clearly had made an eye-catching advertising hoarding. The office beneath would probably have been the ticket office and perhaps concession stand (snack bar) which would have sold hot dogs, pizza, french fries and coke. This was what made the theater profitable. This photo was taken from the opposite side and shows the remains of the theater screen. It looks as if the screen used to be wider than it is now. The landscaping in the foreground was probably added after the theater closed. As this was directly opposite the screen I think it was the projection room. Sadly no interesting remains were left inside. Can't resist this, the remains of the trailer home business...

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]]> Sat Apr 25 2009 Folsom NM - Main Street & Houses http://ghostbase.fotopic.net/c1686792.html Welcome to part two of my visit to Folsom NM, a 'semi-ghost' town in N.E. New Mexico (see 23rd Feb 09 for my original 'Rust in Peace' collection). Folsom is now a pleasant ranching community with a population listed as 77 persons. This series of photos concentrates upon the current state of the Folsom Main Street as well as showing a few of the abandoned residential houses. The only obvious commercial activity in the Main Street is a U.S. Postal Office. Thursday 23 April 2009: Welcome to part two of my visit to Folsom NM, a 'semi-ghost' town in N.E. New Mexico (see 23rd Feb 09 for my original 'Rust in Peace' collection). Folsom is now a pleasant ranching community with a population listed as 77 persons. This series of photos concentrates upon the current state of the Folsom Main Street as well as showing a few of the abandoned residential houses. The only obvious commercial activity in the Main Street is a U.S. Postal Office.

An old residence plus long-abandoned car. Another abandoned dwelling, I really liked the steer skull! A very nice example of an adobe building, note how the adobe is slowly 'melting' as it is exposed to the rain. And another abandoned house showing the local materials used - adobe walls and wooden shingles. This used to be the Folsom Hotel, an impressive but abandoned two storey stone building. This is the false front of the former Folsom Supply Co store on Main Street. I did like the brickwork. Two more abandoned false front stores. The former general merchandise store dating back to 1896, now the town museum. Old fuel pumps (displayed next to the museum). A view of some of the abandoned stores in Folsom's Main Street. The old 'Santa Fe' style railroad station, this was moved from the trackside to Main Street in the 70's. The former Colorado and Southern Railroad still circles Folsom and heavy freight trains thunder past.

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]]> Thu Apr 23 2009 Iceland - Abandoned Farm http://ghostbase.fotopic.net/c1683657.html Back to June 2000, this was an abandoned farm in North Iceland. I cannot remember the exact location but we had stayed in Husavik and were driving north past Kopasker to try to go as far north as we could so that we would be just under the Arctic Circle and also visit a known puffin cliff. I do remember the farm though. Two old buildings, a couple of collapsed barns, located in the most remote beautiful location that you could imagine. It had clearly been abandoned for many years and the way the farm was collapsing also showed where the direction of the prevailing wind. As always my imagination kicked in. What had happened to the occupants, where did they go and why? Where are their descendants now? We took our photographs, the puffins called and we drove on. The abandoned farm remains. Thursday 16 April 2009: Back to June 2000, this was an abandoned farm in North Iceland. I cannot remember the exact location but we had stayed in Husavik and were driving north past Kopasker to try to go as far north as we could so that we would be just under the Arctic Circle and also visit a known puffin cliff. I do remember the farm though. Two old buildings, a couple of collapsed barns, located in the most remote beautiful location that you could imagine. It had clearly been abandoned for many years and the way the farm was collapsing also showed where the direction of the prevailing wind. As always my imagination kicked in. What had happened to the occupants, where did they go and why? Where are their descendants now? We took our photographs, the puffins called and we drove on. The abandoned farm remains.

Not weathering too well, typical Iceland style stone basement walls, then wood clad with metal sheeting This side was verging on the dangerous General view Yes, I did go inside though given the state of the building and the nearest A&E being 80 miles away I was a fool to do so. I have been inside a few abandoned Icelandic farm houses and normally they have been stripped bare and are literally buried under at least a foot of sheep poo (which stinks by the way). This was very unusual in still having a table and broom and no animal dung present. A soddy barn Another totally collapsed outbuilding And a final 'arty' shot

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]]> Thu Apr 16 2009 Iceland - The Gardar http://ghostbase.fotopic.net/c1681527.html Back to June 2000, I came across this grounded trawler 'Gardar' in the Patreksfjordur in North West Iceland. Shipwrecks fascinate me so a few photos were taken! At best guess I would think she was caught in a storm, perhaps her engine failed and she was driven onto the beach in the fjord. She was in a poor condition and had probably been there for quite a few years. Shipwrecks are quite common around Iceland, not surprising given the inhospitable weather and the jagged coast. I have also included a couple of photos taken on the beach at Djupalon which I believe to be the remains of either a boat or fishing equipment, also a view over the Olafseyarsund which finds another abandoned boat. Monday 13 April 2009: Back to June 2000, I came across this grounded trawler 'Gardar' in the Patreksfjordur in North West Iceland. Shipwrecks fascinate me so a few photos were taken! At best guess I would think she was caught in a storm, perhaps her engine failed and she was driven onto the beach in the fjord. She was in a poor condition and had probably been there for quite a few years. Shipwrecks are quite common around Iceland, not surprising given the inhospitable weather and the jagged coast. I have also included a couple of photos taken on the beach at Djupalon which I believe to be the remains of either a boat or fishing equipment, also a view over the Olafseyarsund which finds another abandoned boat.

The Gardar The Gardar The Gardar This photo was taken on the beach at Djupalon, believed to be the remains of a boat. This photo was taken on the beach at Djupalon, believed to be the remains of a boat. A beautiful view of Stykhisholmur from the Olafseyarsund. A close-up, note the beached fishing boat.

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]]> Mon Apr 13 2009 Iceland - The Old Blue Lagoon http://ghostbase.fotopic.net/c1680336.html Back to 2003 and a short off-season visit to Iceland. I love Iceland, a magnificent landscape shaped by recent volcanic eruptions and mainly unspoiled due to a very small population, mostly located in and around Reykjavik. One of the premier tourist sites in Iceland is the 'Blue Lagoon' which is located in a lava field near Grindavik, not far from the Keflavik International airport. The Blue Lagoon is billed as a large geothermal spa pool but in reality is formed from the effluent water from a nearby Svatsengi geothermal power plant. The water is vented from the ground near a lava flow, used to generate electricity and municipal hot water, then vented into the Blue Lagoon. The contact with the lava flow turns the water a translucent blue colour, also gives it a very distinctive sulphurous smell. The modern Blue Lagoon is an impressive place to visit and bathe and dine (and very expensive!) and I think was opened sometime around 2000. Before the new site was opened the Blue Lagoon was located much closer to the power plant. Fans of Jeremy Clarkson will remember his 'Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld' episode set in Iceland which was part filmed from the old Blue Lagoon before it was closed. Bathing there was a fantastic experience with steam roaring into the air from multiple large steel chimneys just behind the pool area. Bathing was fun too, nice and warm by the decks but get too near the power plant and you felt you were being cooked like a lobster! Back in 2001 and then 2003 I was curious what had happened to the old bathing site so did a couple of quick 'explores' with the added advantage of being unable to understand Icelandic 'Keep Out' signs. The old Blue Lagoon was still there in front of the roaring steam vents but the buildings were locked and being used for storage; the pool had been drained and was being filled in with what looked like pumice stones. The deck that we had bathed from during our first visit in 1993 was still there and in some ways it was like they just locked the doors and left. Which, of course is exactly what they did. Fast forward to 2009, the site is now covered by an extension of the geothermal plant and there are no remains of the old Blue Lagoon to be seen. Iceland was right to relocate the lagoon and build a 21st Century complex, however a shame as well, this was a reminder of the old Iceland we loved - a rather innocent backwater before it became a popular tourist destination. Saturday 11 April 2009: Back to 2003 and a short off-season visit to Iceland. I love Iceland, a magnificent landscape shaped by recent volcanic eruptions and mainly unspoiled due to a very small population, mostly located in and around Reykjavik. One of the premier tourist sites in Iceland is the 'Blue Lagoon' which is located in a lava field near Grindavik, not far from the Keflavik International airport. The Blue Lagoon is billed as a large geothermal spa pool but in reality is formed from the effluent water from a nearby Svatsengi geothermal power plant. The water is vented from the ground near a lava flow, used to generate electricity and municipal hot water, then vented into the Blue Lagoon. The contact with the lava flow turns the water a translucent blue colour, also gives it a very distinctive sulphurous smell. The modern Blue Lagoon is an impressive place to visit and bathe and dine (and very expensive!) and I think was opened sometime around 2000. Before the new site was opened the Blue Lagoon was located much closer to the power plant. Fans of Jeremy Clarkson will remember his 'Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld' episode set in Iceland which was part filmed from the old Blue Lagoon before it was closed. Bathing there was a fantastic experience with steam roaring into the air from multiple large steel chimneys just behind the pool area. Bathing was fun too, nice and warm by the decks but get too near the power plant and you felt you were being cooked like a lobster! Back in 2001 and then 2003 I was curious what had happened to the old bathing site so did a couple of quick 'explores' with the added advantage of being unable to understand Icelandic 'Keep Out' signs. The old Blue Lagoon was still there in front of the roaring steam vents but the buildings were locked and being used for storage; the pool had been drained and was being filled in with what looked like pumice stones. The deck that we had bathed from during our first visit in 1993 was still there and in some ways it was like they just locked the doors and left. Which, of course is exactly what they did. Fast forward to 2009, the site is now covered by an extension of the geothermal plant and there are no remains of the old Blue Lagoon to be seen. Iceland was right to relocate the lagoon and build a 21st Century complex, however a shame as well, this was a reminder of the old Iceland we loved - a rather innocent backwater before it became a popular tourist destination.

A view overlooking the Svatsengi geothermal power plant. The new Blue Lagoon is located just off-photo on the L/H side. 2003 A view overlooking the Svatsengi geothermal power plant. The old buildings are just visible behind the plant. 2003 Part of the old buildings and the car park. Welcome to the Blue Lagoon! This was in 2003 and I was surprised that the sign had not been removed. The deck and shower area. 2003 A view of the decking and the showers. Photo taken 2003. Taken in 2003, the lagoon had been completely drained and part filled in. Compare this was the photo of me ten years earlier. Also taken in 2003 and another view of the drained lagoon. Compare this with the photo with my wife in from 1993. His and Hers showers. You had to shower before entering the lagoon, then again afterwards. Large diagrams showed which parts of your body to wash! 2003 My favourite photo from 2003, the decking is still there but no water! Abandoned deck and fence, no lagoon. 2003 Again 2003, this had been the exit from the gift shop. Those information sheets were over three years old. This is me at the original Blue Lagoon in October 1993. The gritty industrial backdrop was part of the appeal of the place. Taken in 1993 this shows my wife in the Blue Lagoon. The noise from those steam chimneys was pretty loud. Taken in 2001, the lagoon was slowly being drained and the water was no longer blue. This photo taken in 2001 compares well with the photos I took two years later.

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]]> Sat Apr 11 2009 Southend Pier - Fire Damage http://ghostbase.fotopic.net/c1672524.html Something that caught my eye on a beautiful sunny autumn Saturday, these photos were taken on Southend Pier in October 2008 and show some of the remaining fire damage from the 2005 fire. Southend Pier was originally completed in 1848 as a wooden structure however the current iron pier dates back to 1889 with various additions in later years. The original purpose of the pier was to allow pleasure steamers to visit Southend, the Thames Estuary waters here are very shallow so Southend was losing much trade to Kentish resorts such as Margate which were more accessible to maritime traffic. The pier's history has been eventful - it served as HMS Leigh in WW2, suffered numerous fires in 1959, 1976, 1995 and 2005, and also was severed by the MV Kingsabbey which crashed into the pier in 1984. The October 2005 fire severely damaged much of the Old Pier Head including the railway station, pub, shell shop, snack bar and ice-cream shop. Many of these buildings tumbled into the sea and since then the remaining debris has been cleared however there are still some remains which these photos hopefully capture. Thursday 26 March 2009: Something that caught my eye on a beautiful sunny autumn Saturday, these photos were taken on Southend Pier in October 2008 and show some of the remaining fire damage from the 2005 fire. Southend Pier was originally completed in 1848 as a wooden structure however the current iron pier dates back to 1889 with various additions in later years. The original purpose of the pier was to allow pleasure steamers to visit Southend, the Thames Estuary waters here are very shallow so Southend was losing much trade to Kentish resorts such as Margate which were more accessible to maritime traffic. The pier's history has been eventful - it served as HMS Leigh in WW2, suffered numerous fires in 1959, 1976, 1995 and 2005, and also was severed by the MV Kingsabbey which crashed into the pier in 1984. The October 2005 fire severely damaged much of the Old Pier Head including the railway station, pub, shell shop, snack bar and ice-cream shop. Many of these buildings tumbled into the sea and since then the remaining debris has been cleared however there are still some remains which these photos hopefully capture.

Our transport to the pier, the paddlesteamer Waverly. Telephoto shot towards Southend sea front. Looking north to Southend from the pier head. The fire damaged are is just to the left of centre of the photo. These fire damaged supports were on the west side of the pier. Charred timbers. The fire was very intense here, this is the east side of the pier. Another view of the east side of the pier. Fire damaged ironwork. Ironwork. Ironwork. I love this one, a fire rusted Royal Mail post box still attached to a lamp standard. Any letters inside would have ended up as charcoal!

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