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River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the 2nd week of September 2017.
Hard to believe - but I've been recording this project now for 5+ years.
Most of the main civil engineering works have ceased along the Slang/Rehills section of the river bank.
The soil-shifters have finished. The main area of land has been seeded and growth is already happening. In selected areas, plants/shrubs have also been planted.
The plan now will be to allow nature to complete the task of reverting this section back to a wild habitat.
The deer, the foxes, the herons, the raptor birds and other associated wildlife can reclaim the banks . . until the planners decide on their next, belated, unnecessary intervention.
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Between the M11 motorway, and the Upper Dargle Road / Hazelwood areas, a stream has run for many years. As well as running from the Fassroe region (west above the M11) this also funnels much of the water run-off from the motorway itself.
There is a culvert running under the road and draining directly into the river opposite The Slang/Rehills.
A branch also runs parallel and through the Egan Business Park before exiting under the road and into the Dargle close to what is identified in historic Ordnance Survey maps as 'Rose Cottage - Laundry'.
There are plans to lay a proper pipe system to channel this water directly across to the Dargle. No doubt a welcome relief to householders along this stretch of road, given that their properties have been victim to the flash flooding that is happening more often due to changes in the meteorological systems, compounded by developments on the opposite side of the motorway.
The downside of this work is the removal of many trees here, and the consequent unwelcome exposure to said properties.
However, recently the contractors have 'filled-in' a large swathe of the previously cleared opening.
To develop this new pipeline, they need to channel a branch pipe under the Upper Dargle Road, discharging into the adjacent Dargle River itself.
This is not a simple 'cut and fill' overnight operation. They have to excavate deeply, pile-drive the cuttings for support, and lay the pipe sections. The plan here is to close off one lane of the road, at a time, while the work proceeds.
This is quite a busy road, with traffic especially heavy during morning and evening rush hour.
Control traffic lights allow contra-flow systems.
This is causing yet more inconvenience for local residents.
Unfortunately, based on previous bad experience with mindless hooliganism, the temporary compound now requires 24-hour security to protect the assembled machinery.
Irish Military Static Line Parachute Course
Members of the Irish Defence Force during the Military Static Line Parachute Course at the Defence Forces Training Centre – 29th March 2012
Photos: Sgt Paul Brady
Netley Castle is a former artillery fort constructed in either 1542 or 1544 by Henry VIII in the village of Netley, Hampshire. It formed part of the King's Device programme to protect against invasion from France and the Holy Roman Empire, and it defended Southampton Water near the Solent.
The castle included a central, stone keep with two flanking gun platforms and was garrisoned by ten men.
It was decommissioned during the English Civil War and by 1743 it was overgrown and in ruins.
In the 19th century the property was gradually converted into a private house, being extended in a Gothic style, complete with octagonal towers.
Between 1939 and 1998 it was used as a nursing home, until the high costs of maintenance led to its closure.
Following an archaeological survey, it was then converted into nine residential flats. It is protected under UK law as a Grade II* listed building.
Often overlooked by many, there is a smaller Palmerston fort in the Solent, near Bembridge on the Isle of Wight.
This is St. Helens Fort. Construction began in 1865 and was completed in 1878. It's much smaller than the other, circular, forts in the Solent.
Periodically (often in August), on one of the lowest tides of the year, there is a mass walk from St Helens beach out to the fort and back.
On this day the causeway appears from the sea upon which the original materials were carried out from the shore at St Helen's Old Church, where there was formerly a quarry. Access is from this point, but also along the spit from Bembridge.
Paratroopers in the First Snow of the Season
Paratroopers at Mt. Hermon trained in and enjoyed the first snows of the winter season – 6th December 2013
Photo Credit: Ben Ram David and Tal Lisus, IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Defence Forces Indoor Track & Field Competition Held in Athlone Institute of Technology Stadium 2015
Israeli Soldiers from the Caracal battalion prior to the start of a field training exercise 15th December 2011
Photos: Israel Defence Force
The remains of WWII defences on Teesmouth's South Gare, night shoot.
10mm, cropped vertically.
ISO100, 30sec @ f/4.5
The sea defences I photographed a few months ago, but from a different angle, and just after the tide has retreated - the seaweed is still fresh. The sound of the lapping water, and the complete absence of people, made this a quiet, almost secret place, hidden below the sea wall, facing away from the land.
Incidentally, I was able to go to a much longer exposure than I am usually comfortable with handheld, because I was balancing my elbows on the sea wall.
Canon 50D, 70-200mm f/4L
200mm, f/4.0, 1/60, ISO 200.
Members of the Irish Defence Force serving with the 118th Battalion, serving in the Lebanon with UNIFIL
Photos: Airman Gibney
Members of the Irish Defence Force serving with the 118th Battalion, serving in the Lebanon with UNIFIL
Photos: Airman Gibney
Cavalry, Artillery and Air Corps. Trooper Daniel Hooper, 2 Cav curretly 6 Pltn, B Coy. Lt Emmett Gallagher, 2 Arty Regt, Athlone currently Platoon commander B Coy. Cpl Dec Ryan, No 4 Spt Wing, Air Corps currently 6 Pltn, B Coy.
Givati Brigade Trains in the Golan Heights
These Givati Brigade soldiers are tasked with protecting Israel's northern border. Here they train in the Golan Heights, Israel's highest altitude region.
Photo Credit: Gil Kremer, IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Israeli infantry soldiers from the Kfir Brigade take part in a drill in urban warfare simulating a combat mission with Lebanon's Hezbollah at the Israeli army base of Elyakim in northern Israel on July 11, 2013. Israeli military built the training base at Elyakim to train soldiers on how to fight Hezbollah as Israel bolsters security along its border with Syria, where Hezbollah militants are reportedly fighting alongside government forces against rebels.
Rimon Training in the Jordan Valley
Soldiers from the elite Rimon Battalion, part of the Commando Brigade participated in an all night exercise in the Jordan Valley.
Photo by: Staff Sergeant Alexi Rosenfeld, IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Member of the Irish Defence Forces serving in Lebanon as part of UNIFIL during a routine patrol of the Blue Line in the vicinity of UNP 6-52. 2014
Rimon Unit Trains in the Golan
The Rimon special-forces unit exercised last week in the forests of the Golan, in their first winter exercise. Training in mud and the pouring rain, these soldiers always work hard to protect Israel in the north. February 2, 2014
Images: Copyright Israel Defence Force
Members of the Irish Defence Force serving with the 118th Battalion, serving in the Lebanon with UNIFIL
Photos: Airman Gibney
The 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade during a drill held in the Golan Heights, northern Israel. The NAMER ("Tiger"), a new vehicle combining the artillery abilities of the Merkava tank and the APC's shielding capacities, was fully integrated in this drill for the first time, improving the battle tactics used by the IDF in the field.
Photo by Staff Sgt. (res.) Abir Sultan
Members of the Irish Defence Force serving with the 118th Battalion, serving in the Lebanon with UNIFIL
Photos: Airman Gibney
Members of the Irish Defence Force serving with the 118th Battalion, serving in the Lebanon with UNIFIL
Photos: Airman Gibney
Paratroopers Prove Themselves On the Ground
The paratroopers of the 101st Battalion had a full week of training to make sure they know exactly what to do once they land on the ground.
Images: Copyright Israel Defence Force
River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the second full week of August 2014.
Work is now on-going in this area of the The Slang/Dargle River, involving: -- Site preparation and mobilisation comprising sheetpile flood defence walls. The site preparation required the removal of mature trees and vegetation along the riverbank. Section-by-section, long lengths of steel sheet piling are aligned within a frame, and then driven partially into the bedrock by crane-suspended hydraulic hammers.
After a spell of spectacularly good weather, frequent and heavy squalls of rain swept the country. River levels were now prone to heavier flows.
The guys were now working to reinforce the riverside of the sheetpiling, buttressing with large boulders, and an overlay of smaller gravel.
Our friend in the CAT laid out the barrier with wonderful precision and speed. We sensed he wasn't well pleased when someone came along and marked out a line -- by which he should reset the alignment of the boulders!
A Grade
Round 6 of the CHNL saw a depleted Hepburn take on Creswick. For the 2nd week in a row the Burra’s were forced to line up with 2 players out injured. Confident in their squad, the competition leaders tried various line ups throughout the game until they quickly settled. Captain Libby Purtell at Goal Attack was instrumental in providing Hepburn with plenty of options in attack. Purtell maintained her 100% accuracy throughout the first half and was supported brilliantly by sharp shooter Jane Lienhop at Goal Shooter.
Creswick managed to keep the mid-court battle alive by providing sharp drives to the circle; however the Burra’s defensive pressure in the circle from Ebony Place saw the ball turned over time and time again. The junior of Hepburn’s team,18 year old Tara Ford clocked up her 150th game for the club in great style at Goal Defence. Ford seems to be taking every opportunity in seniors to develop her game with the help of Place at Goal Keeper. However it was wing attack Brydie Taig that stood up to the challenge and lifted the Burra’s confidence. Taig was named Hepburn’s best on court thanks to her speed and sharp feeding into the circle. Hepburn ran out winners 53 to 17.
The Mo Shepherd award went to Hannah Cameron-Taylor and Libby Purtell for outstanding work.
Goals: Jane 74% 40/54, Libby 80% 12/15
B Grade
Hepburn’s reserves were also focussed on keeping their unbeaten run to the finals alive. The Burras got off to a shaky start as they tried to adjust to Creswick’s style. Moving Janee Brown into Centre in the second quarter was all it took to lift the Burras confidence and provide a 24 to 9 lead at half time.
Courtney Wetzel at Goal Defence, Kristi Pedretti at Goal Keeper and Caitlan Ryan at Wing Defence stepped up in the second half and kept Creswick scoreless until the final minutes of the game. Wetzel provided one of her best games of netball this year getting her hands on ever pass that came her way. Final scores Hepburn 53 to 13.
The Mo Shepherd award went to Caitlan Ryan and Janee Brown
Goals: Mel Penny 75% 41/55, Tania Grant 92% 12/13
Israeli Soldiers from the Caracal battalion during a field training exercise 17th December 2011
Photos: Israel Defence Force
Members of the Irish Defence Force serving with the 118th Battalion, serving in the Lebanon with UNIFIL
Photos: Airman Gibney
As word of Australia's swiftly moving navy reaches the ears of the Indian army a fleet of 20 ships including 4 aircraft carriers set off to meet them, while three infantry divisions begin evacuating civilians from the coast, and taking them to the safe zones to safe zones in the capital, and begin setting up defences while they await for the arrival of 50 top of the line tanks and 60 artillery and anti- aircraft pieces.
We also request that our ally of Canada send as much assistance as possible.
Member of the Irish Defence Forces serving in Lebanon as part of UNIFIL during a routine patrol of the Blue Line in the vicinity of UNP 6-52. 2014
Israeli Soldiers from the Herev Battalion (Sword Battalion)training in the Golan – 2011
The IDF Sword Battalion (Gdud Herev) is an Arabic-speaking unit of the Israel Defense Forces, also known as Unit 300 and formerly known as the IDF Minorities Unit. Non-Jewish minorities also serve in the Druze Reconnaissance Unit and the Bedouin Trackers Unit. In 1987, "Unit 300" was officially renamed the "Sword Battalion."
The Minorities Unit was formed in the early summer of 1948 by incorporating a unit of Druze defectors from the Arab Liberation Army and small numbers of Bedouin and Circassians.[1] The unit was attached to the Oded Brigade and fought in Operation Hiram in October 1948. It has fought in every war since. Today, most members of the unit are Druze, but there are also Bedouins, Circassians and Christian and Muslim Arabs. The unit has produced several generals.
The Minorities Unit has a small elite Sayeret special forces branch.
Druze and Circassian men are subject to mandatory conscription to the IDF.[2] In the mid-1950s, the Druze leadership appealed to David Ben-Gurion, then Minister of Defense, to draft Druze men on the same basis as Jews. The State Defense Act of 1949, which called for drafting all individuals in the country, allowed the minister to issue exemptions for certain groups. The Druze asked that their exemption be canceled. [3] Originally, they served in the framework of a special unit. Since the 1980s, Druze soldiers have joined regular combat units, attaining high ranks and commendations for distinguished service. 83 percent of Druze boys serve in the army according to IDF statistics.[4] According to the Israeli army, 369 Druze soldiers have been killed in combat operations since 1948.[5]
There is a long-standing government policy of encouraging Bedouins to volunteer and offering them various inducements. In some Bedouin communities a military career is seen as a means of social mobility. Muslim and Christians Arabs are also accepted as volunteers.[6]
In 1987, the unit was officially renamed from "Unit 300" to the "Sword Battalion." (Gdud Herev)[7]