Pyestock Diaries
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Tom disappeared to the testing area whilst I tried to open a window to get some elevated shots of the
Power Station and
Battle Test House. Eventually I coaxed a dusty, grimy window open to get an
unimpeded shot of the Battle Test House. Unfortunately I was so fixated on
composing the shot that I failed to see security’s car approaching until it was too late.
I doubt he saw me, but pointing a camera lens through a window in the direction of the security car is not the best
idea in the world. I decided to freeze, thinking movement would give me away and a static alien object would be overlooked.
I watched him slow, and then swing around Battle Test House to return to his
lonely hut. Relieved, I slowly closed the window, deciding I’d pushed my luck with that shot already.
I moved out into the testing area, climbing out onto a gantry from the control room. It instantly felt "wrong"; either there were minute
oscillations or an imperceptible amount of sway, but the walkway felt unsecure. I made it to the end, but decided against climbing
onto another gantry and hurried back. I was relieved when I finally stepped back into the control room and found Tom waiting for me.
"Let’s have a go," he said as he disappeared out onto the gantry. Halfway along he stopped and called back: "Did this feel OK to you?" "No."
Likewise Tom made it to the end but elected not to go further. This was a first for Pyestock:
a gantry walkway that felt unsafe.
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Viewing window of the control room and the "dodgy" gantry above it. Looking south-west standing on the
ground floor of the Admiralty Test House. 23|05|07 © Simon Cornwell 2007
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