Smurfs Hollow, Elton.. Manchester - October 2010

[crippletron 3000]

Smurfs Hollow, Culvert & Storm drain

Visited By Ojay, Oldskool, Host & Joanne.

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/_DSC9087heads.jpg

I was quite taken back by the flow at this point given the size of the Brook, the others exited and were now high & dry, whilst I whipped my camera out and proceeded to video the section of RCP near to the Infall.

As I reached the Infall it was pissing down, the Brook had flooded to capacity and the grille had backed up with debris and was filling up by the minute.

I scrambled up and joined the others on the surface, having packed up and fooked off home for a hot shower!

The weather had flushed us out, and we didn't manage to get the shots we wanted, so again myself and Oldskool headed back once more as soon as we had a dry spell. Another 3 hours of stooping & dicking about with your t0rches we managed to finish the downstream section and get the shots we wanted....Finally!

Shouts & Pict0r credits to Oldskool & Host


In your culverts....


Infall

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/_DSC9081.jpg

having stooped a couple of hundred yards downstream, the stone work soon changed to boring RCP,

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/_DSC9022.jpg

continuing another 200 yards before arriving at this giant chamb0r

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/chamb0r.jpg

Further downstream we came across this smaller juction, complete with shaft and a bucket attached to some old rope

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/bucket1.jpg

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/bucket2.jpg

Just past the junction another shorter section of RCP, before changing into a much larger stone tunnel, complete with cobbled floor (Stunning)!

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/cobbles.jpg

The tunnel twists & turns, with the cobbles disappearing, instead replaced with all manner of junk

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/Stone_tunnel1.jpg

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/Gold.jpg

Continuing downstream the stone turned to Victorian Red-brick, this was my favourite bit, good old fashioned drain..

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/moi.jpg

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/Brick_tunnel1.jpg

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/vic.jpg

Further downstream, more brick-work and a dis-used sluice system

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/Sluice.jpg

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/Bricks1.jpg

Fresh!

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/_DSC9012.jpg

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/brciks4.jpg

Evenutually it began to shrink, ahead was a spray creted section where the tunnel had no doubt collapsed

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/Crete.jpg

Further down the stonework re-appeared, before reaching the Coit, where an impossible stoop in deep water prompted a hasty retreat

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/Me.jpg
(Shot taken by Host)

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/Coit.jpg

Thanks for looking :thumb

[captain cave man]

good work fellas nice pics too, hope pappa amurf wasnt down there !!!!!

[MJS]

PEEKABOO

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/Smurfs%20Hollow/_DSC9012.jpg

hahaha

Looks nice this place mate. Might have to give us the grand tour

[crippletron 3000]

Yup, you need to haul your arses over this way one evening ;)

[boxfrenzy]

That looks great. I love the bucket too - very good work :thumb

[KingElvis]

Very nice, I like the pics and the bucket too.

[stanmorrison]

I like the way the bucket rope is slowly being eaten by the mineral deposits. Also, with six layers of brick I take it this tunnel runs beneath some pretty heavy or unstable ground? I've seriously got to drag myself up to manc some day.

[Dystopia]

How pretty! :D Picture 3 is gorgeous.