What can one say; this picture takes my breath away.  In fact, take my breath away is literally what happened as I captured this asphyxiating moment in time.
~ Coal dust so thick I found it very hard to breath,
~ Coal dust so thick I could feel it grinding between my teeth,
~ Coal dust so thick it acquires a state of being and asphyxiates.
~ Coal dust so thick it shrouds The Hunter Valley with a dark cloak; shelling hope of survival for various animals.

The once beautiful Hunter Valley now marred by these everyday appalling sites.  This world of ours depends on necessary evils if we are to maintain present life styles - an undeniable fact, but is it really acceptable to succumb to such a degree.  Is the dollar so mighty and powerful.   Why is there not a strict air pollution monitoring compliance program ending these horrid and asphyxiating vistas from existence.

The increasing number of open coalmines in the Hunter Valley is lining the pockets of profiteers with money and lining our lungs with black coal dust.  Dust that is not only produced by digging a huge hole in the ground, but is further dispersed as it is transported south by rail; oddly, if I transport rubbish to the dump with my load uncovered, I may face a hefty fine.  Yet, coal is transport with each and every coal filled train carriage uncovered - where is their fine.  Over time there are tones of coal dust particulates scattered every kilometre for every living thing to inhale.

Where does the monetary profit go.  Does the money stay here in the Hunter Valley and contribute directly to rectifying its ill medical side effects by providing an increase in health services - No!  Does it even go toward the maintenance of the roads that are continuously pounded by trucks hauling coal - at an alarming pace - I doubt it very much.  I deduce even the majority of people employed to dig these ghastly holes in The Hunter Valley are not locals; and as such, take their earnings with them as they go back to whence they came.

Anyway, best I go for a walk with Duke; increase fitness and decrease health as we inhale more of this Hunter Valley's coal dust.  Adiós...Adieu...

  It is obvious there has been no attempt to rid The Hunter Valley from this blanket of choking coal dust.  The horizon, once fresh and unblemished, now layered in different shades of grey, increasing in darkness and decreasing visibility as the air hugs the earth closer and closer.
   How can such a dim sight be ignored?  How can profiteers continue to ignore such a disgusting vista.  The Hunter Valley should be recognised for it's beauty, let alone it's world class wines.  Instead there is a dark cloud slowly suffocating The Hunter Valley, as does a cat suffocate the new-born by delicately laying on it's face - all in an 'air of innocence'. . . more pictures

One advantage of being a Hunter Valley resident, Australia, is having the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful and beautiful sights - let alone the utmost palatable wines of Australia (the World even).  So, off I go early this morning to walk the dog (Duke), and enjoy the sights.
And 'off I go' is where it stops.  The only site before me is a thick, smothering blanket of coal dust; dark grey cloud, impending cerement, death skulking dust chocking the Hunter Valley and it's habitants - including me and Duke.
Muswellbrook, where these photographs were taken, is surrounded by countless open-cut coalmines - the result; well, see for yourself . . .