Another historical feature on this part of the Bill ia one of the stone loading derricks from the Redcrane Quarry. The location of the derrick is in on what was a stone loading quay for a quarry that operated during the 19 - 20th Cs. After quarrying ceased, the crane was used by local fishermen. It is now a scheduled monument. There is another fine example of the cranes further along on the eastern side of the isle which is known as the Broad Ope Crane or more colloqially as 'Bob's Crane', located on top of the rock feature known as 'Cave Hole'.
Originally designed by a Captain Crossman of the Royal Engineers, it was built by prison labour between 1860 - 1872. Used originally for military purposes, it could hold 1,000 troops. Military function ceased in 1948, passing to the prison authorities in 1949, since when it has been re-designed as a modern adult male prison. Also on the hillside are the remains of Rufus Castle, built in the 15th C and possible Portland's oldest castle. Built on a high outcrop above Church Ope Cove which was considered a weak spot in England's defences, it was at one time heavily armed. There is evidence of a castle or keep on the headland dating back to the 12th C.
It was late by the time we arrived at our campsite and the office was just closing. Once we had our pitch the tent and sleeping equipment was up very quickly and before long I had made dinner and a hot drink. There was a social club on the site and we went along to it after dinner to enjoy a quiet drink, a seat in an armchair and to take the opportunity to use the wi-fi. Afterwards, we took the time to enjoy the hot showers before bedding done for the night.
I would like to say that we had a nice quiet night after that and enjoyed a blissful sleep. It would be a lie. There was a tent just across from us where, shortly after we bedded down, the couple decided to push back the furniture and have a square go. The shouting and swearing went on for most of the night, both of them obviously the worse for alcohol. As they entered about Round Eight, he was banished out to sleep in the car from where he kept up a noisy tirade until the early hours. It was laughable the next morning when we heard him up early, obviously making a brew and whispering sweet nothings to his partner through the tent flap. She promptly told him where to stick it. Before we had packed up her and her mother had done a moonlight and left him on his lonesome.
We did have a nice sunset!
Oh! And it rained all night, great big, heavy drops that sounded like someone playing a base drum. But other than that it was fine.