Archives 2021
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2022
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March 1 •
February 16 •
February 6 •
January 17
Time for resumption
Break over.
The time for resumption has finally come, it's high time to go back to my place, to the wasteland to recharge my batteries. There's
nothing better for getting back in shape than inhaling dust, guano and asbestos. It’s so invigorating !
Since nowadays you have to help everyone all the time, here is a boost for new explorers who are no longer able to see access even when it in front of them :
I have always loved helping my neighbor.
Now for the photos !
These visits were made with Ferver, D-Kryptage Urbain & Kaptage.
#save@worldofjosh
No, this website is not dead, it is only on hiatus. Thus, my various accounts on social networks
(Twitter™,
Facebook™ &
Instagram™)
are fed daily with my old explorations.
But here it is, the last quoted poses a problem for me : last Sunday, November 7, I quietly liked a photo on Instagram™, as I do from
time to time. Suddenly I was kicked out of my account with the following message :
So, I am asked to take action while forbidding me to do everything.
Is it just me who thinks this is stupid ?
Since then, I have not been able to log into my own account again. What I do know is that this kind of bullshit message indicates that
you are being punished by the social network. Why ? No idea.
Since Instagram™ belongs to a dematerialized giant, there is of course no support and no human being to help me. My activity on
Instagram™ (ie posting urbex pictures) must have displeased one of the many algorithms at Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly
Facebook, Inc.™ )and they decided that my account no longer met sacrosanct "community standards". As already specified, I can't know
more, me, insignificant little human being (and bad customer since I protect myself as much as possible from ads on social networks and
the Internet in general).
So this is the future so dreamed of by Zuckerberg and his minions ? Customers who may or may not publish certain things authorized
by artificial intelligence ? It's scary.
The worst part of this story is that most of you can no longer live without these social networks, your smartphone constantly screwed
at your hand, your head still tilted in your lark mirror. The future does not look very bright
#yeah #aworldwithoutAI
We are far from the free Internet wanted by its designers.
I have never liked the grip of technology in all areas, nor social media. They are only used to promote this website, nothing else. Besides,
even on my private Facebook™, I never post anything personal (if it's personal, it's not to be exposed to everyone and to advertisers).
What should be done then ? These social media crap allow you to have a minimum of visibility on the Internet but are a real digital
dictatorship. Closing all my accounts seems the wisest idea to me. Will I do it ? I do not know. I too am addicted to this shit.
The evil of Belgium
What I love about cartoonists like Kroll or duBus is that they can, with just a few strokes of the pencil, summarize a complex subject and
make it easy to understand.
Once again, Kroll has created a little gem about the aftermath of the dramatic floods in Belgium last July.
"Finally rid of these French speakers"
... Flemish help Walloons.
Pierre Kroll
What is the main problem of our country ?
Who created this system that no one understands how useful and how it works ?
Who created this a real labyrinth which allows to have NINE ministers of health for 11 million inhabitants ?
Who created this avalanche of taxes which are suffocating more and more Belgians ?
Who created this system where the losers of the elections still remain in power but at one of the innumerable other levels ?
Who created these absolutely undemocratic elections, namely the ban on voting for a representative of the other community or the
multiple coalitions ?
Who created these mafias that are the intercommunals ?
Who made all of our public services fail ?
Who wanted to create a division between Flemish and French speakers ?
The political world.
Nothing will change for Belgians, at least in a positive way, as long as this corrupt and disconnected world remains in place.
But we also know that people will not budge. Knowing what Lionel Messi is going to eat tomorrow is so much more important...
Finally, dank aan onze Vlaamse landgenoten voor hun hulp.
Fortunately, Belgians still know how to help each other.
The drama
Recent events in Belgium (and part of Europe) still force me to write something on this website, despite the scheduled break.
The dimension of the tragedy is matched only by the magnitude of the "natural" disaster that has befallen so suddenly in eastern
Belgium, Luxembourg, the south of the Netherlands and two German Länder.
Massacred towns and villages (I am thinking in particular of Pepinster), more than a hundred dead and thousands of lives permanently
impacted by... water. This water, usually so precious to life, has transformed here into an unbelievably indomitable, violent and murderous
force.
Why ? How ?
AP Photo / Valentin Bianchi
Rhein-Erft-Kreis / AP
For many years now, we have heard regularly that climate change will start to make its effects felt. Here we are !
If in previous years we were stunned by hellish heat waves, this year, on the contrary, it was the rain that decided to settle on our
end of the continent. And all this rain has no other choice but to reach the sea and to do so, it has to make its way through less and
less natural landscapes (read here our beautiful intensive farming, generalized concretization and constructions in flood-prone
areas). Fewer natural (and permeable) surfaces and fewer trees result in more runoff. And when you have to deal with torrential rains,
you get floods that are as surprising as they are devastating. For example, the Meuse rose to 6.70 meters ! All the human devices supposed
to tame the rivers and streams have proved to be quite useless in the face of a wild nature. So even the Eupen and La Gileppe dams were
quickly overwhelmed by the extent of the downpours.
EPA / Stéphanie Lecocq / Keystone
What are the lessons of this drama ?
As with every disaster, nothing was anticipated despite the warnings because it had never happened.
That it's probably already too late to hope to turn back the clock on the climate.
That these insurance bastards will certainly do everything to compensate as little as possible the people who have lost everything.
That we will have to learn to live in Belgium with a much more aggressive climate than in the past.
That we are worth nothing in the face of Mother Nature.
Finally, an excerpt from an article in Le Soir on the days leading up to the deadly floods :
On Friday, July 9, the European Flood Warning System (EFAS) goes into action for the first time. They see that the Rhine will emerge from its bed in much of the German border region with Belgium.
The section of the Meuse which crosses Belgium and the Netherlands is also worrying. "On Saturday July 10, we sent the first warnings to all the relevant authorities," EFAS told our colleagues. "The following days, we sent 24 more." In 4 days, 25 alerts will be issued. "The question is to know what has been done with these". "We certainly did not receive them," said David Dehenauw, chief of science at RMI. “We are not subscribed to this system, their reports are sent to the regions. Floods are also a regional competence, we don't have the right to deal with floods at RMI."
So who did these notifications reach ? At the Federal Crisis Center, at the Walloon Hydrological Management Department, in particular. The Region remains vague. When our colleagues ask the director of the DGH, if he has received any reports concerning the Meuse, he refuses to comment further. "We have to do with the office of the Minister for Mobility," he replies. A spokesperson for Ecolo Minister Philippe Henry assures us that their services have done all they can. "These alerts are just one parameter our services keep an eye on."
It leaves you dreaming...
My thoughts are with the victims of this terrible tragedy.
Courage...
Guillaume J.-C. / La Libre Belgique
Small break
From time to time, you have to know how to disconnect. This is precisely what I’ll be doing for the next few days (weeks ?).
Logically, there should no longer be any updates on WorldofJosh.be. However, I’ll still regularly post pictures of my old explorations
on ,
and
. However, will also be on hiatus.
And what will I do during my withdrawal ? Things that don't concern you.
Obviously, this is not going to change my life.
But it's always nice to have a little recognition. So Flickr selected three of my pictures and featured them in Explore : Manoir de l'Antiquaire • Limonaderie Starmatic • Maison des Fleurs
Thanks Flickr !
— Flickr June 16, 2021
See the page of WorldofJosh.be
Before the break, a last series of photos on... bees and gardening tips !
It is with these friendly insects that we cross the threshold of 11,000 photos published on this website.
Happy holidays to those who take it, and for the others, well... kisses.
Urbex without interest
My interest in the urbex had already been badly decreased for the reasons mentioned in the previous brief. But I still forced myself to join my urbex mates for an
expedition.
Unfortunately, the places I visited failed to restore my interest in urban exploration. In the midst of the endless houses and farms,
there were still two places that made me happy.
Another very pleasant fact : we haven’t seen any other urbexer.
The problem with houses (or farms) in urban exploration is that they are the most numerous in our small world. They are found everywhere,
in every town or village. And inevitably, it is that I have visited the most in more than ten years, hence my weariness for the
subject and the unpleasant impression of seeing the same things each time.
Fortunately, a few are exceptional and significant, but too rare.
Another aspect that I don't like about houses in urban exploration : they have nothing to tell me. Both a public place (church, prison,
hospital or other) or a factory have a history shared by a multitude of people.
A house, on the contrary, also has a history but which remains within the family or the individuals who have lived there, to no one else.
See you later.
Time for change
Not long ago, I told you about a radical change in my life. This change, I didn't want it. Unfortunately, I had no choice but to
accept it. And this acceptance, I finally made it. It is high time to lift your head and start moving forward.
Having said that, my mind is way too cluttered with questions to be able to devote myself as before to urbex and this website. In other
words, the updates will no longer be as regular.
On the other hand, there is no question of evoking any closure of this website.
I will leave with you what I wrote at the end of May, for posterity.
And I also let you enjoy my last photo outings.
There are things that I thought were impossible, things that can only happen to others.
But gradually, I realized that there was a problem, but I couldn't figure out what the trouble was. It took me two long years to finally
understand this unutterable intuition.
Then the uppercut came without warning : at that moment, a horrible feeling of dizziness came over me. I searched in vain for a saving hand,
but soon realized that this hand no longer existed. Or maybe never even existed. At that point, I have no more certainty.
It is often said that time helps to forget and the scars heal little by little. I don't believe it.
The more violent the events, the more difficult, if not impossible, remission. This ordeal, I took it in the face a few weeks ago. Yet
I believed that this would never happen to me again, that it was finally there. Actually no.
And to think that we had to get married...
That said, my website is more than ever a good way to change my mind a bit, even if the passion is gone for the moment.
I let you enjoy my last photo outings.
☠️⚠️ AN URBEX GOES WRONG ⚠️☠️
I made an urban exploration that goes wrong (yes, I know, it's already written in the title but that's to make sure you
understand the seriousness of it !) !! You absolutely have to click to see what happened to me !!!
The video will show you what went wrong but I made it out alive !
⚠️☢️☣️☢️⚠️
🚨🚓👮
Quickly click on the video !
You must see it !
In reality ? No, none of that. But it seems clickbait titles like this are all the rage.
The latest problem dates back to 2015, when we visited an aqua-park where the owner got kicked us out of the place in a somewhat rough
manner.
Since then, and strangely enough, we have visited over a hundred places without any problems, sometimes meeting keepers or owners.
It’s strange that some have problems every exploration, and others none.
With that, enjoy my latest photo galleries. And the real photo of the Statue of Liberty is here
IT'S EXTRAORDINARY !!!! WAAAOUUWWW !!!!
AND DON'T FORGET FACEBOOK, TWITTER, FLICKR & INSTAGRAAAAAAAMMMMMMM !!!!
WAAAOUUWWW
🕵️ Partners in crime (lolilol) : D-Kryptage Urbain, Kapatage &
Ferver 🕵️
Hmm... Sorry...
By the way, there are no videos on this channel.
You got screwed
A last minute aside
The café terraces were able to reopen on May 8, 2021.
The result is worth the detour.
A place in Namur the day after the reopening of the terraces. No comment...
Sudinfo.be
Observation : morons who clump together to drink a beer (a vital need, it should be remembered) and filth that doesn't surprise me.
Do these people deserve to be saved ?
Josh grumbles... again !
As always, I am in a good mood. So, a good advice: don't start pissing me off !
I'm actually quite amused. By who ? By many of you. You are so entertaining. And it is with pleasure that I explain to you why in
my latest creation which rubs shoulders with perfection.
Urbex, your ruthless universe
But don't let my rant stop you from admiring some new photo galleries. You will find everything there, our visits were very diverse
and varied.
As usual, these expeditions were made with D-Kryptage Urbain & Kaptage.
It was better before
What is urbex ?
It's a whole new practice to visit abandoned or hard-to-reach places. Very confidential practice, it meets little success and remains
confidential. The media never talk about it (since they ignore its existence) and those who practice it do not seek fame or publicity.
They only do it for fun and passion.
One of the "rules" of urbex (or urban exploration) is not to steal, damage or move anything, respect being paramount. The philosophy of this particular hobby is to only witness the old life of a place, certainly not actor. As if to save by photography a bygone and forgotten era.
All of the above was valid ten years ago.
Now ? It's quite the opposite !
The practice is infested with assholes and too many people find themselves in places that aren't – necessarily – abandoned anymore.
The very essence of urbex has been killed by this hobby has become a fashion.
Another current aspect of urbex, that this time makes me laugh : the pseudo-philosophical phrases increasingly accompanying the photos.
What is it for seriously ? To make you look falsely intelligent ? Proofread your sentences before posting and you'll find they don't
mean anything.
However, since I am jealous, I also launch into empty sentences :
In order not to be thirsty, you have to drink.
If the door is open, don't open it.
A fairly explicit reaction
All the same, I invite you to these few visits where, as it became exceptional, we didn’t meet anyone.
These excursions were made with D-Kryptage Urbain & Kaptage.
The weather is nice, we forget everything !
In ten days, we experienced a temperature difference of more than 25°C/77°F. From freezing cold, we switched to spring heat.
Isn't that normal ?
And what about COVID-19 ? From ancient history. It is enough to see all these assholes crowding together in the parks to convince
yourself that there is no more danger.
This sudden good weather also allowed us to set out again on the roads in quest of new abandoned places, far from human stupidity. And
once again, it was a real pleasure.
I offer you these few galleries of visits made in companies of
D-Kryptage
Urbain, Kaptage & Ferver.
Great discovery : in winter, it's cold !
It's cold, and that's normal. This is called winter.
And people seem amazed ! Personally, what surprises and worries me is when it's 10°C/50°F in the middle of February, not when it's freezing.
And concerning the snow, we are ridiculous ! 2 inches snow and it's chaos all over the country. Canadians must be
kidding us
We took advantage of this winter offensive to set off again on the roads of Belgium to discover new abandoned places.
Finally and to flatter my ego, a comment posted on my Flickr page :
... I have to tell you, your photos should be in National Geographic Magazine, they are extraordinary, but photos are only as good as the photographers eye. Great job .....
https://www.flickr.com/photos/worldofjosh/10497694615/in/photostream/
— johnny 5 ... February 22, 2021
There's nothing to say about it but it's always nice
Thanks to Johnny 5 !
The staff of WorldofJosh.be
Behind every exemplary and extraordinary man (like me), there are other people. These people share with me for the common good,
improving you, dear readers. Yeah, every time you go to this website you grow, you get better, you get a little closer to my level.
Thanks to us, peace in the world is progressing in leaps and bounds, the environment is getting better and better and the lawn in your
garden is growing much better. So continue to visit these few web pages. For you, for the whole world.
It was time for me to finally introduce my companions to you. They deserve it (but I won't tell you why).
Here is a short biography of each of them :
I bless you.
Thanks me.
2021 : the first pictures
Here is a new year that starts well !
To enhance your quarantine, here are the photos of my last exploration, with
Ferver.
Don't ask me which building is, I will not be able to answer you. For my own safety and yours.
That's all for the moment.
2020 •
•
2022
November 18 •
August 14 •
July 18 •
July 2 •
June 12 •
May 22 •
May 9 •
April 13 •
March 19 •
March 1 •
February 16 •
February 6 •
January 17