I know, it’s been like forever. Truth is, not much urban exploring has been done lately. There were some small things but when I had the day off Illogical and I decided to head back to Beringen and see what was left of it. Seems they are turning a part into a museum with hiking/biking tracks all around the facility. It is not that closed off and easy to reach from these paths. These paths are not open yet I think so it might be that they’ll have some better fencing when they open. Might be an interesting trail to ride someday. The upper floors of the buildings can’t be reached anymore unless you bring a ladder. They cut down all the stairs. Probably safer anyway but not so much fun. We had a good time on the ground floors anyway.

I work for a client in Spijkenisse so when I got there a bit early one day I decided to take some pics. I’d already brought my camera a few times but I was either late or the weather was bad. Not this time. Drove around a bit to see what to shoot, it’s not like you can park your can anywhere there. I also shot some panorama’s but I’ll put these up in a next post. First shot at the Esso terrain I was shooed away, noted my license plate and everything… I was still on the right side of the fence and no sign that said I couldn’t take pictures though. Too bad I only got the chance to take three shots and not even have the time to dial in my flash. Well… it’s the way things go, better luck next time.

Radio Kootwijk is a small town in the Netherlands. The housing accommodations of Radio Kootwijk arose as a result of the building of a Radio Communications Center (a shortwave transmitter) in 1919. The transmitters were a means of communication between the Netherlands and the colony of Dutch East Indies.
In 1923 the Dutch PTT started trans-oceanic telegraphy using a longwave transmitter, and in 1928 a telephonic connection was established through shortwave. At the end of WWII the German forces who occupied Radio Kootwijk destroyed the transmitter. Some of the radio towers were rebuilt.
Off course due to new technology the Radio Station became obsolete. In 1980 the last transmission mast was blown up. In 2004 all activities were stopped.
In 2004 the Station and surroundings were transferred from KPN to the “Dienst Landelijk Gebied”. They in turn, turned over all surrounding forest and nature to “Staatsbosbeheer”. (the State Forestry)
The buildings are currently being use as “anti-kraak” (can anyone tell me an english word for this? -> thanks Illo), used for housing sheep and climbing training.
At Current the DLG is establishing a plan to change the use of all the buildings. Some will be studio’s some exhibition centers etc.
The DLG asked me to take pictures of the current state to be used on their website and other graphics. These are some pictures of the main building.
More (dutch) info on Site of DLG

A paper factory in a street. Very strange location for a factory. It was already getting dark when I arrived after a day training in Langen. Some parts are turned into studio’s, some parts are houses but most is junk. It was a very mystical tour but you had to watch your step because the place looked like a junkjard. Why would someone do that? Reviewing the pics when I got back I noticed the shortest shutterspeed was 4 seconds!

An abandoned Factory, not much to see though. One part was turned into a skatepark.