We have spent 2 consecutive days with Pete, Rob, Gerald, Ian, Martin, Bob, Jake, John, Des, Russ, Mike and Bedrock and it has been glorious. I now know how to prepare the lamps and vaguely manage to work my way around the surface.

It has been quite immersive and I am starting to think more coalface than millions of years. 

The repetition of the daily tasks, machinery checks and tour rhythm have somehow shifted my attention from the colossal dormant coal seam, hundreds of feet below to the relationships and constant stories, songs and jokes of the men. To the point that I am not going down the mine anymore but going to see Bob or Ian at pit bottom (which I keep on calling "downstairs") and can't help singing "Marina, she is our cleaner" on Blondie Maria tune.