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Post by 2e0edx on Jul 6, 2014 18:43:58 GMT
Originally activating the Motte & Bailey castle CASHOTA Reference G-501 at this location, I now intend going back shortly to activate the WW11 pillbox at this location. Castle Stede is a late 11th century earthwork motte and bailey fortress, founded by the de Montbegon family. Standing on high ground, against the steep slope formed by the valley of the River Lune, the fortification is the predecessor of Hornby Castle. The conical motte, is partly encased by a wide deep ditch and to the west is a large oval bailey, defended by a rampart and ditch. Taken by King John in 1205, it was soon returned to Roger de Montbegon, only to be abandoned by the mid 13th century. Like the castle, a World War II pillbox also defends the importance medieval ford, with its 17th century bridge. Castle Stede is located north of Hornby, off the B1345. 10 miles north-east of Lancaster, on the A683 and parking can be had on the opposite side of the Loyne bridge. Lots of room for wire dipoles etc and a very beautiful, scenic location. CASHOTA Ref:G461 WAB:SD56 LOC: IO84QC 73's Ian 2E0EDX |
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Post by 2e0edx on Jul 13, 2014 16:54:58 GMT
WX dependant I will be activating the Castle Stede WW11 Pillbox tomorrow morning, Monday, 14th July 2014. After this activation I would also hope to activate the 17C Loyn Bridge over the River Lune.
I will be QRV at approximately 1000 hrs +/- 1/2 hour and would hope to activate on 40M SSB at 7.165 MHz +/- QRM.
Hope to work Forum Members as available.
73's
Ian 2E0EDX
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Post by 2e0edx on Jul 14, 2014 14:56:42 GMT
Up early and car packed and soon on the way out of Blackpool heading towards the A6 and then onto J33 where I joined the M6 Motorway. As I left Blackpool at 0830 hrs temperature was approximately 19 deg C and the sun was shining, however, dark grey clounds where lingering over the North Pennines and were very noticible over SOTA summits Wards Stone and futher east over Ingleborough and Peny Ghent. Soon on the M6 which had its normal Monday morning traffic flow, but no hold-ups and soon off at J34 heading towards Caton and Hornby. After travelling through the village of Hornby passing Hornby Castle G-511 on the right we turned left towards Gressingham and the Loyn Bridge G-462. On arrival at the bridge we parked up on the far side of the bridge where there is parking for up to half a dozen cars. Kit on and walked onto the bridge having to stand in the pedestrian pays on two occassions to let vehicles cross. For those intending to follow in my footsteps and activate either or all of the three CASHOTA References at this location, be carefull when driving over the bridge in either direction. Vehicles were meeting each other in the centre of the bridge and were having to reverse back to let others through. Once over the bridge followed the bend round to the left and immediately found the gap in the wall leading to a style on the other side of the wall in the field a matter of meters before the Castle Stede WW11 Pillbox. Rucksack off and soon set-up the Sotabeams mast & 20/40M linked dipole with the Yaesu FT-857. Before operating took the opportunity to take a few photos of the area and found that the pillbox was open to view from the inside where the killing area from covering fire could be viewed through the aperatures on the sides of the pillbox. At this time although still sunny, the dark clouds were very much evident so straight to 7.160 MHz to hopefully work the WAB net and gain perhaps a new square for myself. Also found that a lot of French stations were evident and no doubt celebrating Bastille Day on 40M. Stations worked: EJ7NET Tony Cape Clear EU-121 G1PIE Mark Preston G0FEX Ken Leicestershire G4STP Tony Willington Crook, Co Durham ON4MI Michael Brussels G8OFQ Geoff Bournemouth G8IC/P Mike Todmorden PC2D Frank Enschede Holland F/G4WAB (G6LKB) G0GWY Geoff Scunthorpe After working Geoff G0GWY the first spots of rain were felt so being very exposed in this location packed all away to QSY to the car. Equipment used: Yaesu FT-857 SOTAbeams 20/40M Linked dipole SOTAbeams 10M Travel Mast & Groundspike 12V 12AHr Battery 50W Output All in all a very pleasant activation in very historic surroundings. Photographs of the activation can be found on the following websites: www.cqportable.webs.comwww.cashota.co.ukCASHOTA Northwest England Group Thanks to all stations worked. I hope to be out later in the week activating another local WW2 defence postion in the Blackpool area. Details to follow. 73's Ian 2E0EDX |
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