A world without people...

They say only cockroaches would survive a nuclear explosion. Maybe, but it seems cats and dogs survive in a world without people, as these photos show, here. Sadly, only a couple from the UK. But abandonments look good anywhere, from good old Blighty, to Russia, China and the US-of-A. Click here.

We will NOT be beaten...

To avoid saying anything controversial, I'll just re-post this badge that appears to have become the symbol of defiance since the disgusting act of Monday night. I only walked past that arena last Wednesday. Peace!

What you crowin' about...

Ever wondered where your Corn Flakes are made, or are you not really bovvered? Well, here, in the Kellogg's factory on Mosley Road, Trafford Park, Manchester (where I nearly got a job in 1995, despite not officially living in Manchester!). (Other breakfast cereals are available...)

More trips to Manchester are planned for later in the year (tunnels, etc), so stayed tuned (as they say) for some more 'opp north' exploits - not that the Kellogg's factory is disused, by the way!!.

Picture query

Hello! I have been asked where my 'mysterious, yet intriguing' header picture is from.

Well, its the ROC post at Avebury, Wiltshire, which has been open since at least 2009, I am led to believe. The site was one of numerous Royal Ordnance Corps' posts in the UK, this one in use from June 1961 to September 1991. Located at SU1038469221, it is in a farmers field on private land. The interior is flooded and vandalised (naturally). The hill on which the post is located overlooks the stone circle and avenue at Avebury, plus Silbury Hill (the largest man-made mound in Europe), and is deep in the heart of crop circle country.

It is my opinion that this part of Wiltshire is steeped in mystery and intrigue (apparently) and is just one the most fabulous parts of the country. Why go abroad when you have such an incredible amount to do in good old Blighty!

A black hole ...

The approach to the south portal of Tidenham tunnel, on the former Wye Valley Railway. Tucked away down a narrow Gloucestershire lane, this south portal has recently had the trackbed cleared and trees felled by the road bridge. The portal is as secure as it looks – razor wire, anti-climb grease and, worst of all, a puddle!! There was a plan once to reopen this tunnel and the old line as far as Tintern as a cyclepaff but this appears to have come to nothing after the council couldn't agree on the planning app!

No more brmm brmm?

In the depths of Neolithic Wiltshire, found this ancient bit of transport stuffed away in a barn. Amazing the things you find knocking about in farmers' barns (ancient threshing machines seem popular!). In quite good nick, preserved at some point, I would suggest, it is now home to nothing more than tarpaulins!

Anyone know what make of car it is?

Signs

If ever a trio of signposts better epitomised an area, this lot in Wiltshire pinpoint the epicentre of the UK's crop circle activity – an area that appears to centre (though not always exclusively) on the World Heritage site of Avebury, a fabulous part of the world absolutely steeped in history, myth and wonder.

Am I a believer? Not exclusively, for it's obvious many of the formations are man made, though after the Julia Set at Stonehenge and the Triple Julia at Milk Hill above Alton Barnes, I really cannot see how some of these things were man made (I've been to Milk Hill, very remote and the complexity of that formation is nigh on impossible, surely, in the dark!!

2017 circles so far have appeared at Waden Hill, Avebury, beneath the Cherhill White Horse and at Oliver's Castle, Devizes. For more on each years circles, keep up to date here. (These are my photos, and not taken from Google Streetview. Site visits: 10.4.2017 and 2.5.2017)