Old VAM Locations

SomeKindaJoe,( Steve) had some great child hood VAM pics. His recent revisit of the Hasting Pics of '76 was a classic post

So when I came across the post over on UAMHQ, it gave me an idea to revisit some of my old VAM locations as I sadly don't have any pics from 'back in the day", and get a sense of how they are now.

So back in April , I was taking my Mum-in-Law back to Ulverston (Ulverston is in the Furness Peninsula- famous as the birth pace of Stan Laurel.  ) after a visit to Munrovia HQ . I had an hour to spare before having to head back, so I asked for some volunteers ! 

N01, Black and Sailor step forward( I was really, really rubbish at giving the guys names/characters )

" We've been in the downstairs loo for nearly 8 years. Lets see some fresh air"


First stop- Bardsea beach. Part of Morcambe Bay estuary.

Wow what is this place?- by the time Gunner moved here in '68 I was in the AM hospital you'll remember- Broken leg and rusty rivets ! Only good for the indoor Ops in 18 Campfield Road.

This is Bardsea beach N01 -location of many Summer Missions.



The 'Stream" - a stream from the village that ran into the beach- loads of dams, wading - navigating rapids here!

[URL=https://s801.photobucket.com/user/stephenmunro1/media/99454ADA-3D21-414A-A580-5918E43CFFA3_zpsabiby8bt.jpg.html[/URL]






Hey Black where is the sea?
Its a Tidal estuary N01 - You won't remember the mud flats - brilliant gullies and streams - but blooming muddy!





Next stop Birkrigg Common -The "little Quarry" just below the Trig Point. Also know as "Moon Rocks" - Birkirigg is a limestone escarpment.





Top location here Black & Sailor.
Yes N01 - a really great place for adventures, climbs and some base camps.



The lads make their way down.



On the trig point on Birkrigg Common... You can see for miles and miles and miles...when its not raining - this is the south lakes 



Some Top times up here eh Sailor me old chum ?


Back in the Car the lads decide a quick drive by some other old haunts would be good.

The Hill- great for sledging and racing AM in jeeps and Red Sindy Sports car down- Lethal 



Brikrigg Quaries- great fro rock climbing and the scene of the famous Plastic bag Para drop!



A Quick drive by of N0 52. Loads of VAM adventures in the garden that boasted a rockery and a fishpond - I think you can guess there were several Amphibious ops 



Hey Fellas whats that pepper pot thingy ?
Thats Hoad monument No1. 
Actualy Black, its the Sir john Barrow monument - He was First Lord of the Admiralty and born and raised in Ulverston- its an exact replica of the Edison light house .

oh get you Sailor.. anyway the real action took place on Little Hoad .. did I ever tell you about the infamous Darting Incident of '74?...So there we were..



So Gunner shall we set the Sat Nav for home? We can go to some more places on your next visit.



Mission Accomplished .Back home safe and sound .

Fantastic tour and pics! Enjoyed very much!

It was really really lovely to see Pictures of some of your old VAM locations that you played vam adventures 'back in the day and you also got a sense of how they are now.

Great location shots Gunner, threw up some old memories of playing AM in the fields after harvesting and building some epic grass forts/HQs.

Outstanding post Steve! that hill looked lethal! a bet the ol' vam jeep picked up some speed down there!!!! also what a great location at the beach! many a happy hour spent there I bet!
I only ever lost one vam as a kid, left him on a beach at the Brean Down in Somerset! only remembered when we half way back to Birminghm . I reckon he made a break across the Bristol Channel for Cardiff!

Thanks for sharing such a great post mate

Top post gunner, great trip through your memories !