Parenthood, one of the most wonderful experiences in life. Unless you like exploring that is. Yeah, become a parent and kiss goodbye to any sort of regular exploring. Not that I'd change my beautiful daughter for a moment but weekends like this just remind me of why I love exploring and the friends that I've made over the time I've been doing it. This weekend was long in the planning, hell it had to be to get management authorisation. Friday night ensued sitting on top of the Mills with a can of beer and admiring the view. The following day ended with another beauty of a view but minus the beer and plus the horrors of the most horrific pigeon shit infested climb I've experienced.
I climbed the tower back in the summer of 2008 when the demolition of the hospital began. I sure as hell don't remember being it anywhere near as bad. The view back then was of the sprawling derelict buildings of one of the most iconic explores in the country.
It was bizarre to find the same old way into the grounds of the hospital some 6 years later. Sad to see the sorry state of the admin building that I fear will meet it's fate with a bulldozer next year when work finally begins on regenerating the site. Unexpectedly the watertower being open was a surprise and one not to pass up. Never did I imagine the sheer torture of making it to the roof. I binned my clothes when I got back to the car, it was that bad.
The view however was stunning as the early evening winter sunset. You can see for miles around, picking out other asylum water towers such as Netherne in the distance. No wonder the locals wanted to keep it, you really don't appreciate how far away you can see it. Kevin McCloud is already twitting at the prospect of a couple camping outside in a caravan as they scratch the funds together to turn it into their ornate house.
Never. Ever. Again.
I climbed the tower back in the summer of 2008 when the demolition of the hospital began. I sure as hell don't remember being it anywhere near as bad. The view back then was of the sprawling derelict buildings of one of the most iconic explores in the country.
It was bizarre to find the same old way into the grounds of the hospital some 6 years later. Sad to see the sorry state of the admin building that I fear will meet it's fate with a bulldozer next year when work finally begins on regenerating the site. Unexpectedly the watertower being open was a surprise and one not to pass up. Never did I imagine the sheer torture of making it to the roof. I binned my clothes when I got back to the car, it was that bad.
The view however was stunning as the early evening winter sunset. You can see for miles around, picking out other asylum water towers such as Netherne in the distance. No wonder the locals wanted to keep it, you really don't appreciate how far away you can see it. Kevin McCloud is already twitting at the prospect of a couple camping outside in a caravan as they scratch the funds together to turn it into their ornate house.
Never. Ever. Again.
I wonder what the admin looks like now? STILL yet to get my arse in gear and get down here before it becomes totally unrecognisable!
If I was born earlier I would've know about this place before it became the unrecognisable shell it is now. Oh well, maybe when time travel comes, eh? 
