I planned to get out to clear up areas around Brookmans Park/Potters Bar and stretch out towards the surrounds of Radlett /Watford and had quite a successful day with a mass of variety and interesting experiences. I'd previously been over to Brookmans Park and had hit the areas of The Transmitting Station, Swanley Bar and the outskirts of Cuffley. This time i was determined to get onto Potters Bar Golf Course to get the two PB's previously missed along with the AT blocks along the train track and embankment. Coming in from the Brookmans Park side of the course i discovered there was a public right of way on the Golf Course so that was easy. Getting the second PB - i wasn't sure where the right of way finished but got the shots of the PB before being told to clear off. I parked the car up after getting some of the Brookmans Park area covered and decided to walk from Radlett Road across the bridleways all the way down to the M1 and back up again. Exhausting but a great time was had. I even had time to snooze in a farmers field with the sun out!!
Anyhow i started off at Brookmans Park Rail Station mainly due to ease of parking the car up and then taking the stroll down to Potters Bar Golf Course. Anyhow less of the waffle and onto the pics:
ANTI TANK CONE: S0005029
Sat on the T junction of Station Lane and Bradmore Lane there are 10 AT Cones but due to the heavy growth of Brambles and Nettles i could only locate 8 of them. Some have been upended. Heading down Bradmore Lane there were 6 on the left and two on the right hand side.
Turning left back towards the train station there was evidence of an access road which would have run along side the Cones.
Cutting alongside the rail line was a direct path leading towards the Golf Course. Getting to Hawkshead Bridge i am surprised there was not evidence of a secondary line of defences. Nothing but me frightening the occasional rabbit. As i said the path carries right down to the Golf Course - under the arch and straight through the kissing gate. It wasn't until i saw the public right of way signs that i could relax as there were plenty of groundsmen at work and at 07.30AM - people out playing a round of golf.
ANTI TANK BLOCK: S0005036
Listed as being 25 AT blocks i could only see four from the Golf Course and two from the other side of the track once i'd left. The embankment is close to the Golf Course and steep so it was only possible to see those on the sky line and the two sat over the top of the culvert.
Apologies for the railings. Sat high up on the rail embankment and continuing on over the other side. Without the £1000 in my pocket for the fine and photo opportunity - i didn't fancy the attempt.
Marked up at a possible type 24. I got the internal shots to this one after brazenly walking over the bridge and back to the PB. A high Viz and clip board look so official!.
S0005035
Sat in a more exposed position almost central within the Golf Course it was a case of grit my teeth and follow the line of the river intersecting the course. This PB is almost completely sealed but i managed to get photos through two of the embrasures. At any point i was expecting the John Lydon refrain of 'Oy - Get Orf my land'. Best to grab the photos as soon as.
Moving up to the North East corner of Brookmans Park i was hoping to find the Spiggot Mortar mount but could not find that needle in the haystack. This was marked up as being on the corner of Great North Road and Woodmans Lane but in the field, in the hedgerow and down the lane - i just couldn't find a buried mount anywhere (for now at least but a further visit eventually located it buried up to the Spiggot Mount). Continuing down Woodmans lane i did find 6 AT cones which do not seem to be marked up on the DOB layer. These were later added after the position was GP phone.
Finally heading away from Brookmans i cut through past Deeves Hall onto Minns lane. Though i had marked it up to visit - it still took me by surprise when i rounded the corner and came to a sudden halt. The driver of the car behind was probably as surprised as me when he almost ran into the back of me.
S0005023 AT blocks sat over the small weir.
There is so much to see in this area it was impossible to get to it all within the time frame and this will take possible two or three more visits. I therefore will detail what i have got so far and sadly in some areas i missed out badly. There is always another day though.
River Lodge, Aldenham. S0005005
Thankfully there is a public right of way here but it feels like you are entering someones garden such is the proximity of the house. I feel i need to ask permission from the homeowners when i revisit. I need a good mooch around.
Vertical Rail or Mine sockets
4 distinct rows of three.
Finally a pillbox (halelujah). A clean 24.
S0005004
As always a hop over the barbed wire and over to have a look.
ANTI TANK BLOCK: S0005002
A single line of 9 blocks.
ROADBLOCK: S0005000
Wall Hall pumping station, Aldenham.
The final site i visited before my willpower was sapped, i was tired, thirsty and it had started to rain. The trudge back to the car was daunting enough without that. I will get back out there soon to catch the rest of the goodies out there. Sat behind the roadblock were two AT Blocks. Further down the track was another roadblock and a type 24 pillbox but there were caught on another day.
Thanks for your patience.
Anyhow i started off at Brookmans Park Rail Station mainly due to ease of parking the car up and then taking the stroll down to Potters Bar Golf Course. Anyhow less of the waffle and onto the pics:
ANTI TANK CONE: S0005029
Sat on the T junction of Station Lane and Bradmore Lane there are 10 AT Cones but due to the heavy growth of Brambles and Nettles i could only locate 8 of them. Some have been upended. Heading down Bradmore Lane there were 6 on the left and two on the right hand side.
The view of an AT cylinder on the opposite side of the road.
Turning left back towards the train station there was evidence of an access road which would have run along side the Cones.
Cutting alongside the rail line was a direct path leading towards the Golf Course. Getting to Hawkshead Bridge i am surprised there was not evidence of a secondary line of defences. Nothing but me frightening the occasional rabbit. As i said the path carries right down to the Golf Course - under the arch and straight through the kissing gate. It wasn't until i saw the public right of way signs that i could relax as there were plenty of groundsmen at work and at 07.30AM - people out playing a round of golf.
ANTI TANK BLOCK: S0005036
Listed as being 25 AT blocks i could only see four from the Golf Course and two from the other side of the track once i'd left. The embankment is close to the Golf Course and steep so it was only possible to see those on the sky line and the two sat over the top of the culvert.
Apologies for the railings. Sat high up on the rail embankment and continuing on over the other side. Without the £1000 in my pocket for the fine and photo opportunity - i didn't fancy the attempt.
Marked up at a possible type 24. I got the internal shots to this one after brazenly walking over the bridge and back to the PB. A high Viz and clip board look so official!.
S0005035
Sat in a more exposed position almost central within the Golf Course it was a case of grit my teeth and follow the line of the river intersecting the course. This PB is almost completely sealed but i managed to get photos through two of the embrasures. At any point i was expecting the John Lydon refrain of 'Oy - Get Orf my land'. Best to grab the photos as soon as.
Finally heading away from Brookmans i cut through past Deeves Hall onto Minns lane. Though i had marked it up to visit - it still took me by surprise when i rounded the corner and came to a sudden halt. The driver of the car behind was probably as surprised as me when he almost ran into the back of me.
S0005023 AT blocks sat over the small weir.
There is so much to see in this area it was impossible to get to it all within the time frame and this will take possible two or three more visits. I therefore will detail what i have got so far and sadly in some areas i missed out badly. There is always another day though.
River Lodge, Aldenham. S0005005
Thankfully there is a public right of way here but it feels like you are entering someones garden such is the proximity of the house. I feel i need to ask permission from the homeowners when i revisit. I need a good mooch around.
Vertical Rail or Mine sockets
4 distinct rows of three.
Finally a pillbox (halelujah). A clean 24.
S0005004
As always a hop over the barbed wire and over to have a look.
Heavily frost damaged in areas which eventually forces the brick shuttering away. Many Pillboxes are often seen as bare concrete as a result of the ageing process.
T shape anti ricochet wall which was designed to prevent minimal loss of life shot a round get in through an embrasure.
A single line of 9 blocks.
Wall Hall pumping station, Aldenham.
The final site i visited before my willpower was sapped, i was tired, thirsty and it had started to rain. The trudge back to the car was daunting enough without that. I will get back out there soon to catch the rest of the goodies out there. Sat behind the roadblock were two AT Blocks. Further down the track was another roadblock and a type 24 pillbox but there were caught on another day.
A sucker for a church as always.
Thanks for your patience.
No comments:
Post a Comment