Under a platform on the Speedwellstraat there are concrete
pillars. 50x50cm. Both horizontal and vertical. I suppose the
horizontal pillars reach 5 meters into the water. They are
slippery and I almost fell into the water with my camera. You
have to climb a fence and then climb down the quay.
Notice the difference between the high- and low tide marks.
I didn't count on large boats that made big waves and had to jump to higher ground several times. This is the view from the farthest point towards the quay.
The whole quay has been broadened by 5-7 meters and the new part stands on pillars above the water. This is the light flat surface in the foreground. The entry is near the sloping surface on the left.
Notice the car and the white caravan on the left. When I visited this place a female squatter was apparently living here. She had a garden chair and a parasol on the "porch". I didn't dare to interview her; I thought it might be seen as an offence. So I left her alone, but I was very curious about the life in such a place.
This is the space under the quay. The sound of the echoing waves in this hollow space is impressive. There is a ladder on the other side of the quay. I climbed as low as I could an was able to see that the whole room under the quay is hollow.
You could get in using a rubber boat. This is one of the rare places in the harbour where you could float the boat inconspicuously.
There are other hollow spaces in the harbour that look very tempting:
I was already making plans for boat trips to these places but a colleague told me that you will be immediately arrested by the river police if they see you. They seem to be very alert for these kind of jokes and also don't like water-skiing in the harbour. Then they will confiscate your boat and equipment. Still these dark places look very enticing.
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© 1998 Petr Kazil - 14 November 1998