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Ha, yes, that's the one i meant. I think I thought it was a cart and horses because the men at the fromt seem to 'take off'. I found it very odd indeed. Very impressive from this side, but walk to the front of it and it leaves a completely different impression.
I'd honestly skip the restaurant, it was a terrible experience, including bouncers wanting to throw us out. But no doubt it's less likely to happen if you're not a group of 20 odd foreign agents... eh... students.
Other travel this year took me to London for the third time, this round I ventured as far out as the Millennium Dome. Didn't scale the outside to the top as others were carefully doing, maybe another trip.
Also made time for meeting with some associates at the Kings Arms, Chelsea, no known Bond connection.
It gives new meaning to fast food.
But Trinity Buoy Wharf isn't really a restaurant of course. On the pier anyway.
Yes, just remember to superglue the plates down beforehand and you should be OK! ;)
Last month I had a second chance to see a Bond filming location, specifically the Dunsmuir House and Estate in Oakland, California, used during the filming of AVTAK. But I will need a third.
First experience. About three years ago I had the good fortune to be in San Francisco for a week, and visited areas of the city related to Bond, Sam Spade, Bullitt, and other interests. On my day off I did a clockwise circuit around the Bay Area visiting parks and birding locations and working my way around to Oakland.
Arriving at the Dunsmuir address, I was disappointed to learn that being Saturday it was closed. A great day otherwise, but I'd have to return to see it.
Second attempt. Successful, with some reservations.
As played out last month, I had a half-day free in the Oakland area and caught a ride over to the Dunsmuir location. It was early afternoon, and the site is open to the public till 4 pm on a weekday. Arriving there, a chain-link sliding gate was closed and a second entrance was locked up. Trying to divine how to enter, I called a posted phone number which went to a recorded message. Asking a gentleman who worked at another state office who was walking the area, he suggested the larger gate was not locked and I could slide it to the side and enter.
He was right. I opened and closed the gate, then walked forward down the path toward the structure. Passed a group turkeys, resident to the grounds. A beautiful day, I walked up on Dunsmuir House, took a bunch of photos. Walked the area down to the posted closure at the opposite fence, maybe a pandemic relic. But I honored it.
Finishing up well before 4 pm, I returned to the entrance and the adventure really began--the gate I originally entered was now chained and padlocked shut. So knowing the phone went to message, I didn't try that again. Taking a closer look at the gate and fence, it was about 7 feet tall with barbed wire running across the top. The way the wire was pressed down immediately left of the locked gate indicated my experience was not unique, and others endured a similar challenge.
So I resolved to break out of the place. Leaned a sign against the fence to provide a step up. Launched myself to the top of the fence, first supported by my arms. It immediately occurred to me I would have been much better this the activity 30 or so years prior. I also realized that I'd committed to moving over the fence to freedom, and going back and trying to reverse the action was a dangerous proposition.
Not easy for me, I got a leg up, then the other, and maneuvered not so artfully considering the wire barbs were in the mix. But did work to a position where I could get a foot over to a short signpost that really saved the day for me. Hopping to ground, I had some cuts on my palms and shins. But free. And pretty spent to tell the truth, if I'd had more presence of mind I would have taken photos of the gate area itself to further document.
In the moment I was thinking the whole time I was on CCTV, and would either be apprehended or the groundskeeper kept the videos of folks breaking out for amusement or to post on YouTube.
Third visit. When I return on a future trip, I'll align to use the option for an 11:00 tour of the house or a group tour. Keep it simple.
What a stunning location!
Other travel in 2023, last month, a third visit to New Orleans this time mindful of filming locations for LALD. Not exactly amazing photos to share, but a fun time was had.
The night my business finished, I impressed co-workers by topping off a fine dinner at the Palace Cafe by announcing I was walking back into the French Quarter to the location where Agent Hamilton was knifed and killed.
The next day was spent driving around to identified spots and a couple birding locations. Leaned heavily to On the Tracks of 007 as reference (dialing into their online map, linked below), and Interacted a decent amount coming and going with Sheriff and other PO-lice VE-hicles but managed not to get pulled over.
https://www.onthetracksof007.com/maps
LALD: AIRPORT ARRIVAL
Louis Armstrong International Airport (twice, of course)
LALD: FILLET OF SOUL / JAZZ FUNERAL
Chartres Street, French Quarter (sorry about that, Agent Hamilton)
Amtrack New Orleans
LALD: BOAT IN THE POOL
Mayer Drive, Bayou Paquet, Slidell
LALD: SHERIFF PEPPER'S COUSIN BOAT DRIVE BY
Bayou Liberty Road and bridge
Bayou Liberty Road (went as far as the private property sign)
Mayer Drive, Bayou Paquet, Slidell
LALD: BOAT THROUGH WEDDING CAKE
Bayou Liberty, Slidell (in the vicinity from Garden Drive)
LALD: BOND KILLS ADAM
Southern Shipyard, Slidell, Louisiana (from Canulette Road, off Bayou Bonfouca)
LALD: AMBUSH AT MILLER'S BRIDGE
Slidell, Louisiana (on Pontchartrain Drive, Hwy 11)
LALD: MOTORBOAT CHASE
The Irish Bayou, Louisiana
LALD: BOATS CROSS OVER ROAD
(Ridgeway Blvd, Hwy 11)
LALD: 007 GOES 15 MPH AT THE MARINA
South Shore Harbor, New Orleans (near and east of the small airport filming location)
LALD: PLANE vs. CARS CHASE
T-Hangar 'F', Lakefront Airport
LALD: BLEEKER FLYING SCHOOL OFFICE
Taylor Energy Building, Lakefront Airport
LALD: BOND RUNS TO THE HANGAR
Exxon Mobil Hangar, Lakefront Airport
LALD: MOTORBOAT JUMPS OVER SHERIFF PEPPER
Harlem Lane, Highway 39
LALD: "LOUISIANA WELCOMES YOU" SIGN
Highway 39, Phoenix (they really should reestablish that sign, stock photo below)
And each visit I've come across a familiar and welcome figure, a jewel in the Bond world. It worked double time as bird watching this round.
This is lovely! I had no idea Satchmo was short for Satchelmouth :)
Yes, that's the Tiger from GE (or one of them? I think there was an actual airframe and a prop version), and since 2014 it's been sitting on an industrial estate in Long Stratton, south of Norwich, the property of Long Stratton Motors. You, too, can tramp along a muddy footpath for a distant glimpse of it!
Here's the forum post where I came across this vital information, with full lat and long if you want to go too:
https://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=126231
Why is it there? Where will it go next? Who knows, but I was very pleased to see it:
Maybe it's just stealth-y.
(Credit: The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum - requested from author, CC BY 2.5)
That's superb! :D
Fort Lauderdale and Miami. While in the area I searched out some locations including a place to eat.
https://www.onthetracksof007.com/maps
Other locations new for me weren't really still in existence. (And for more not listed above, I've been to the Fontainebleau and other local sites on previous trips.)
Taking pictures of the KFC exterior, the UPS driver on scene commented on my actions. I explained my interest in film locations, and this one from Goldfinger.
The franchise is nice to look at, recently updated I'd say. Inside it loses a few points, the cleaning equipment seems to have gone a bit sour leaving an unpleasant odor--seems like staff and even the locals are desensitized to it.
A busy establishment while I was there. And I was all in for a 3-piece meal: white meat original recipe, biscuit, mashed potatoes and gravy, cole slaw.
No evidence of GF or Bond on site that I could see as a call-out.
Wide view.
Reverse view across the street.
Closer.
Close-up.
Finishing my food, I did have the impulse to get out of there quickly.
Exactly what I was thinking :))
Matching my views to the On the Tracks of 007 site descriptions.
https://www.onthetracksof007.com/maps
GF: LEITER LOST THE SIGNAL AND HEADS BACK
Dixie Highway/31W, Muldraugh, KY, USA
Here the Ritz Motel and Restaurant used to be, now U-Haul storage (2020), which is visible in the shot.
GF: CONVOY ON ITS WAY TO FORT KNOX
Harris Street, Muldraugh, Kentucky, USA
GF: CONVOY ON THE ROAD TO FORT KNOX
1st Infantry Division Rd, Fort Knox, KY, USA
Forward and reverse views.
GF: WELCOME TO FORT KNOX GEN RUSSHON SIGN
The main aircraft hangar on Godman Army Airfield, Fort Knox, KY, USA
The Gold Repository is viewed from a distance, there is no access or tour available.
Exiting the base it's visible behind the sign, then on the right behind the fence.
I worked at our national bank for some time. New employees would get a tour and see the gold stored there (not anymore). I never saw it though, only half the group would be allowed in per time, so the ather half needed to be 'entertained' and would get an introduction training by me. Hence I never saw the gold myself...