Optimus Prime is a large culverted section of the River Irk, running beneath Victoria Station and joining the River Irwell.
This was the second stop on an excellent evening of drain tourism with @tallginge and @Esoteric Eric. I don’t mind admitting that I initially lost my nerve for a bit when faced with the initial climb in here, having gone a bit wobbly in the previous location. Turns out was just hungry... And I was soon reassured after some quick demonstration of how it should be done by @tallginge - leading to some minor, weary intervention from the unfortunately timed local constabulary, who seemed to be knocking off for the night...
Cop1: what’s your mate doing in the river?
Eric: he’s lost his football, occifer
Cop1: well it’s dangerous, is it really worth it?
Eric: its an expensive football!
Cop2: (sighing) can you tell your mate to get out?
Me: Ginge, they’re asking you to get out...
A quick sandwich stop later and, my wits (and blood sugar levels) recovered, we were all good, returning to make our way in... which was actually easier than my hungry brain had made it look. I managed to stay totally dry too, in spite of wearing thigh waders...
After the first hurdle of the wall, the second obstacle is the slippery weir.
Here we are, finally inside...
Looking back to the weir...
It was really misty inside and I was a bit frustrated that my pics weren’t as sharp as they could have been. The sheer size of the place ate up the light, with the spray from the fast flow of the river making matters even more tricky.
We couldn’t work out what these things were that looked like strip lights from a distance, and cameras from closer up. Any ideas?
As is now standard, we lost @tallginge down a sidepipe for a bit.
Meanwhile, @Esoteric Eric found a new friend...
It was great to finally see the cattle-bridge-that’s-not-a-cattle-bridge (see this discussion for full details: https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/victorias-so-called-cattle-bridge.110161/ )
Further on is this old bridge...
My photos beyond here were a wobblefest and not worth sharing. It got a bit deep and the end section filled with more rubbish, so here’s a few more from the walk back...
Loved every minute, such a grand spot that I didn’t even mind that I lost my lenser out of my pocket on the way back up the weir (the second torch loss in two weeks - argh!). Eric also took a dunking, but all good!
Could spend ages rummaging about down there, all sorts must have been washed down it over the years. Your pics came out well - it doesn't half eat the lumens that place. It was way bigger and better than i remembered it. You climbed up and down the weir with style and grace - whatcha on about? Eric saw me nearly fall back off the bloody thing just before i took this. And your waderz - can spot 'em a mile off 
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