I frowned at the smokestacks passing by as we drove through the colliery; this gargantuan facility looked to have been completely re-used. Throngs of people were entering a massive indoor space to watch a movie or dance performance, and I was looking in disbelief at something which appeared to be a brand new Ferris wheel. Although I love the fact that these incredible spaces were put to use instead of falling under a bulldozer, I couldn't help but be a little disappointed, as this would have been the third facility turned into a park of some sort on our trip through Germany. Things were looking much better as we made our way into the coking plant though - the lawns were manicured, but with a little climbing one could fade into the shadows of the massive coke battery quite easily...

We crossed over a shallow basin that had filled with water and resembled a canal, with the great stoves shimmering in its reflection. The decadent bridge we used crossed under a maze of angled conveyors and towering smoke stacks; the scene was reminiscent of futuristic worlds conceived in the early 19th century. Once we were safely out of plain sight, I began to notice many wonderful details surrounding me. So many different and unique textures of rusting metal, crumbling concrete and plant life were scattered in hidden corners and random surfaces, and so I aimlessly wandered...