subterranean secrets

Have you ever thought how interesting it is that most cities have something to hide?

I'm talking about secret underground tunnels, trains, cities and bunkers. Things hidden from the public that are never confirmed as being fact or fiction.

It's something I find fascniating, so I'll share a little with you...

Firstly, Manchester (as that's where I am right now...). In the centre of Manchester is a 1954, Cold War telephone exchange with tunnels stretching out to Salford and Ardwick (named 'Guardian'). Now this one has been confirmed, but it's still interesting... Read more about that here

Next up - London. London's tube network is both fantastic and mysterious. It's littered with disused stations and tunnels that people don't know about. Next time you're on the Metropolitan Line between Baker Street and Finchley Road, keep an eye out for 3 disused stations. Also on the Picadilly Line between King's Cross and Caledonian Road, is another. They're everywhere! I had access to the disused Jubilee Line platform at Charing Cross some time ago... quite interesting. More is here

And it's not just the UK... Moscow supposedly has a secret government underground train line, below the existing network, and some people claim that there is even an underground city, with swimming pools, generators and food... see this article

Lastly, it is claimed that Tokyo has a wealth of tunnels and secret spaces under the city, kept under wraps by the government. One man has investigated - read Shun Akida's account here

Should governments make these places open to the public? Or is it part of our heritage to have such secrets, rumours and myths? Does it add to the appeal of a place?

the computer hath returned!!!

ah, great days... the computer has come back from repair, so my blogs can once more become regular and full of useful and gripping stories! or something like that....!

yesterday I visited the Cabinet War Rooms and Churchill Museum in London. as a 2nd World War historian, it was of great interest to me, and I was surprised as to how much information the museum had, and how detailed and accurate it was. a really great visit.

the weather did not dampen my moods yesterday, as I had a visit from my father - the first time we've met in 6 weeks, since I moved down south. so a great time was had, and I had fun listening to his stories of his time in the Metropolitan Police in Hammersmith.


and ... Japan is considering suing the US Embassy over 10 years of backdue rent on land that it occupies in Tokyo. that's from Asahi today.