Sea | Dubman and Streylock

The Magical Rock-A-Nore Hastings

Posted on July 7, 2016 by dubmanandstreylock

Hastings is a truly beautiful town on its own but hidden down in the old town as far as you can go by car you emerge into a magical mythical cove full of whispering sea ballads and shanties, the bones of sea creatures, old sea salt sailors with tough beards and the wonder if the Kraken is watching you with his beady eyes from under the waves. Amongst the shingle beach is a wonderland of custom tractors and twisted metal machines that pull and push things like dilapidated boats and catamarans. Fishing tackle and nets hang swaying in the ocean wind, blooming seagulls everywhere like hooded gangs hanging out waiting for their next score. A place where lost souls wandering in surfmist searching for the lighthouse home.

Quaint little houses built within the rocks, tall tar black smoke sheds looming together in different sizes. Things are broken, things are covered in rubbish but this fantastical place with the fairy tale story name is a wonder to behold. This is Rock-A-Nore

I’ve been twice to this treasure chest of curiosity and always feel the call to return. On the second trip I went with Streylock. This was part of a south east coast 5 day photography trip we took back in May 2012.

This is a picture heavy post but as you can see there’s a photo at every turn and even Wolfman came out to play.
Hope you enjoy the images and be sure to place this curious haven on your to do list.

All the best

Mike Dubman & Streylock

Soviet Spy Boat?

Techno beats play all day at the Rock A Nore

Wolfman Chills Out On His Sofa

John Deere’s Brother From Another Mother?

Krusty Attacks Dubman At King Tubbys

Streylock Deep In Photoland

Seagull Thugs

High Down Rocket Test Site

Posted on May 22, 2016 by dubmanandstreylock

Hidden on a cliff face next to the Needles on the Isle Of Wight was Britain’s answer to NASA. A secret rocket site at High Down, where the Black Arrow and Black Knight rockets were tested to launch the Prospero satellite. Not much remains apart for the giant concrete structures used to channel the flames of the rockets into the sea and that lovely big rusty blast door. Oh I do love a bit of rust. There is also a little museum dedicated to the history which is quaint but well worth a look.

This trip was in September 2013. It’s a very recommend walk from the Needles car park around the cliff road leading to the High Down Test Site and the Needles Battery which I will upload photos at another time.

For all info on this wonderful piece of history please see the links at the bottom of the page and watch the very informative video on Youtube.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.
All the best….. Dubman and Streylock

This is how it looked back in the day

Streylock’s face says it all. Very excited.

Sure theres a blast door around here somewhere!! Ooooo hello.

Streylock in action

It’s really beautiful there.

Cardboard computer set up project. Great idea and effective.

Shia Labeouf on the control dials

Black Arrow Rocket

The Prospero satellite, also known as the X-3

Suited and booted.

Dubman checking the concrete

Spreads (Streylock) and Dub 28/09/2013 Cute or a tad gay hehe can’t decide.

Awesome documentary on the whole project. Very recommended

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Links
http://www.spaceuk.org/ba/blackarrow.htm
http://www.spaceuk.org/bk/bkvehicle.htm
http://www.spaceuk.org/bk/hd/highdown.htm
Research report of site PDF

Swanage Coastal Wander

Posted on May 7, 2016 by dubmanandstreylock

At last the sun is shining and managed to get the first sun tan of the year. A trip to the picturesque town of Swanage down on the Isle Of Purbeck with my brother Dan. Swanage is a small town but packs a lot in especially if you take in the scenic walks around the coast line. Just on this small trip we saw a wandering pirate, murals on a derelict building, a superb piece of street art by my good buddy Dare and his friend Bonzai in the local skatepark. The Swanage lighthouse, the brilliant named Tilly Whim Caves, Durlston castle and the most serene and blissful sea views.
To add to that you get some diverse architecture, ranging from modern design that wouldn’t look out of place on the Mediterranean to some very quirky and grand victorian buildings.

There are also a few left over gun placements from WW2 up at Peveril Point next to the National Coastwatch Institution Lookout building. The point is also home to the Swanage lifeboat organisation.

Still missing Streylock like crazy and it’s been hard to get motivated to get out there but it has been really brilliant to be spending some quality time with my good brother Dan and it has helped to get that buzz back again.

Will be going again sometime and will fill in the gaps which were missed. Plus next time we will go more prepared with provisions so we can walk on further.

Hope you like the pictures. Fill free to tell me of places of interest to see.
All the best
Mike Dubman

This mural has been there for years and it still looks great.

Pirate drinking water not rum!

Skatepark graff by Dare and Bonzai

Victorian Pier with Old Harry Rocks in the background

Coastwatch lookout tower

Seaview from Peveril Point with rock reef.

The lonesome yacht

Swanage Lighthouse

Tilly Whim Caves

Valley View

Durlston Country Park

The Grand Globe (Really they could of put it in the center of the steps hehe)

Few examples architecture

Last one has to be pirate man again.