This oddball arrangement was also used in a forested area! The top of the insulator (a CD 138 Postal) was apparently popped off intentionally, so it could be used as a spool. The long link to the line wire (on the right) was done for the same reason as the EC&M technique (I guess). The stress also broke the back of the skirt off. All the insulators on this line were "damaged" in the same way. :-(