Be careful what you say to your kids, you may just have to live up to your word, I may have said; in passing "what an experience it would be to stay in the fort overnight, completely cut of from land". Low and behold we try it.
Arrived on the beach in the towering shadow of the power station around 4pm. Ever tried walking over cobbles covered in slime, mud and full of rock pools, while carrying substantial survival essentials. quite comedic for someone watching I should think.
Had a quick look around the place, dodging around some pretty big holes in the floor. Whilst at the very top of the tower a group of about 6 or 7 people could be seen sliding over the cobbles, we sat aside and let them wonder, as we were going to have plenty of time to look. Had a good chat with a couple of them to, but didn't think to ask if they were on DP. So hello if you are, a pleasure meeting you.
Just when we thought the visits were over, 2 young lads turned up to fish, but found the weirdos staying on the castle much more interesting. They proceeded to try and scare us with storys of police, lifeboats and dead soldiers. One lad securely re-fitted the ladder for us which he said he installed originally. I must admit I thought he was going to nick it, but credit due.
The Fort is of 2 eras. A WW2 battery on top of a Mortello Tower, I must admit I fell in love with the old tower, which is a little scarred by the concrete battery and brick barracks attached to the side like a growth.
We chose our bedroom, based on lack of wind and glass on the floor. We then went up top and watched the light fade, shadows grow and the lights of the industry around flicker to life.
I must admit once the water had engulfed the tower, I don't think I had ever felt so content, knowing pretty much I was unable to do anything in the way of normal life, until the tide went out 5 hours later.
Sitting staring at the shipping going past, we noticed shadows darting across the floor, on closer inspection we found what seem to be woodlice, however they must have been special sea castle lice, as they were huge, big enough that you could see the individual organs within their transparent bodies, nice.
Midnight, decided to try and get some kip. However; who knew the sea moving up and down over hidden pipework and holes could make such a muddle of sound, from thudding to whispers, I think we managed about an hour.
Time to get up and finish the supplies, about a litre of hot chocolate and 3 Ham and Egg roles later, I managed to straighten my spine and check the tide. I must admit that as much as I enjoyed my stay I was looking forward to getting back to my bed.
Slip slide across the cobbles we look back and see the red of the sun breaking the horizon, lighting the quarter moon, casting a silhouette of the fort. I didn't care at this point, I didn't even take a picture; just carried on slipping back to my bed.
Good to think I'll have to do it again in a few years, once the little lady is big enough. Still time will let me look back with fondness I am sure.
Cheers
t2020
Arrived on the beach in the towering shadow of the power station around 4pm. Ever tried walking over cobbles covered in slime, mud and full of rock pools, while carrying substantial survival essentials. quite comedic for someone watching I should think.
Had a quick look around the place, dodging around some pretty big holes in the floor. Whilst at the very top of the tower a group of about 6 or 7 people could be seen sliding over the cobbles, we sat aside and let them wonder, as we were going to have plenty of time to look. Had a good chat with a couple of them to, but didn't think to ask if they were on DP. So hello if you are, a pleasure meeting you.
Just when we thought the visits were over, 2 young lads turned up to fish, but found the weirdos staying on the castle much more interesting. They proceeded to try and scare us with storys of police, lifeboats and dead soldiers. One lad securely re-fitted the ladder for us which he said he installed originally. I must admit I thought he was going to nick it, but credit due.
The Fort is of 2 eras. A WW2 battery on top of a Mortello Tower, I must admit I fell in love with the old tower, which is a little scarred by the concrete battery and brick barracks attached to the side like a growth.
We chose our bedroom, based on lack of wind and glass on the floor. We then went up top and watched the light fade, shadows grow and the lights of the industry around flicker to life.
I must admit once the water had engulfed the tower, I don't think I had ever felt so content, knowing pretty much I was unable to do anything in the way of normal life, until the tide went out 5 hours later.
Sitting staring at the shipping going past, we noticed shadows darting across the floor, on closer inspection we found what seem to be woodlice, however they must have been special sea castle lice, as they were huge, big enough that you could see the individual organs within their transparent bodies, nice.
Midnight, decided to try and get some kip. However; who knew the sea moving up and down over hidden pipework and holes could make such a muddle of sound, from thudding to whispers, I think we managed about an hour.
Time to get up and finish the supplies, about a litre of hot chocolate and 3 Ham and Egg roles later, I managed to straighten my spine and check the tide. I must admit that as much as I enjoyed my stay I was looking forward to getting back to my bed.
Slip slide across the cobbles we look back and see the red of the sun breaking the horizon, lighting the quarter moon, casting a silhouette of the fort. I didn't care at this point, I didn't even take a picture; just carried on slipping back to my bed.
Good to think I'll have to do it again in a few years, once the little lady is big enough. Still time will let me look back with fondness I am sure.
Cheers
t2020
Quality photos too, especially the crepuscular rays 
