Have You Considered Living in a Fortress?
Martello towers were built, at great cost, along the coasts of Kent, Sussex, Essex and Suffolk at the time of the Napoleonic wars. Originally, there were 103 of these 30ft-high towers, with walls 13ft thick and roof-mounted cannons capable of shooting lead balls a mile out to sea. _Guardian
These coastal towers still stand guard along the English coast, watching against the risk of Napoleon re-born. If you imagine yourself as a modern-day watchman, protector against the invading destroyer, one of these towers may be reserved just for you.
The overall effect is magical: brick fort on the outside, palatial home within. The main space, approached from the entrance lobby, is breathtaking, with the climb up the spiral stairs enjoyably spooky, and the top floor a revelation: all light, space and comfort, with little hint of ostentation. But then you don't need decoration when you have the sea and all its moods just beyond the parapet, with ships hoving in and out of view, and sunlight playing over that lichen-encrusted brickwork throughout the day. _Guardian
Think it over. If Europe and the UK experience half the tumult that seems to be headed that way, you may be happy to be living in a fortress by the time the storm passes over.
Previously published at Al Fin Potpourri
Labels: shelter
posted by al fin at 12:21 am
2 Comments:
Not really that attractive a place to live compared to what you could build if you chose. I think this is more a sign of how government restrictions in Britain prevent building new properties so that any old barn, garage etc which doesn't need planning permission becomes valuable.
Unfortunately, those who would take over our country these days have become more subtle; they employ bureaucracy, treaties, blandishments, and oh-so-sensible language, while quietly hollowing out our constitution and our governance while nobody is really paying attention. Forts cannot keep them out, only ceaseless vigilance, and we've forgotten how necessary that is. Suddenly one day we wake up as a province of the new Frankenreich.
It's sad almost beyond endurance, but it has happened.
Oh, and btw, I don't think cannon balls were made of lead. A bit too soft, is lead - they'd never have made it out of the bore. Cast iron is your man I believe.
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