Didn't really mean to visit here (was here last year) but a combination of sweltering heat and nosiness to see if anything had changed dictated a quick trip in for a cool down. Then the fun really started on exit which meant it was actually the only place visited on the day but more of that later.
HISTORY
Very, very little apart from the mine is part of the Bixhead Quarries near Coleford, where Pennant sandstone was worked for more than five hundred years, ending in the 1960s.
THE VISIT
1. Railing on high
2. Bottom
3. Batons
4. Water
5. Chamber 1
6. Chamber 2
7. Pillar
8. The way out
9. Prop
Anyone who knows this place will know that it isn't exactly the sort of place you expect to see anybody. The route down was very overgrown with higher than waist grass, nettles, etc. So it was a bit of a surprise to be met by a dog on exit. A big dog. Attached to a very long lead. And attached to the lead was a member of the local constabulary.
Heading in an hour previously, a helicopter was buzzing about at a low level over Coleford. Couldn't see it but it was very audible. Gloucester's finest were obviously after somebody or something and while we were under, they had let loose the dogs who promptly picked up our scent. One had dragged his handler all the way down into the quarry and to the entrance !
Brief conversation ensued - what the hell are you doing ? / Visiting a mine / Can you prove it / Here are the pics and look at the way we are dressed / Thank you, goodbye.
The Slade however seemed to be buzzing with police so original plans were then scuppered and we moved on to another part of the Forest but unfortunatly didn't really come across anything worth posting.
Always the next time !
Thanks for looking.
HISTORY
Very, very little apart from the mine is part of the Bixhead Quarries near Coleford, where Pennant sandstone was worked for more than five hundred years, ending in the 1960s.
THE VISIT
1. Railing on high
2. Bottom
3. Batons
4. Water
5. Chamber 1
6. Chamber 2
7. Pillar
8. The way out
9. Prop
Anyone who knows this place will know that it isn't exactly the sort of place you expect to see anybody. The route down was very overgrown with higher than waist grass, nettles, etc. So it was a bit of a surprise to be met by a dog on exit. A big dog. Attached to a very long lead. And attached to the lead was a member of the local constabulary.
Heading in an hour previously, a helicopter was buzzing about at a low level over Coleford. Couldn't see it but it was very audible. Gloucester's finest were obviously after somebody or something and while we were under, they had let loose the dogs who promptly picked up our scent. One had dragged his handler all the way down into the quarry and to the entrance !
Brief conversation ensued - what the hell are you doing ? / Visiting a mine / Can you prove it / Here are the pics and look at the way we are dressed / Thank you, goodbye.
The Slade however seemed to be buzzing with police so original plans were then scuppered and we moved on to another part of the Forest but unfortunatly didn't really come across anything worth posting.
Always the next time !
Thanks for looking.
