Friday, November 29, 2019


 Is this a mill? It stands near the historical mill.
 Cross section.
 Farm house on-site and possibly a canola crop before the fields turn a sunny yellow





Wednesday, November 27, 2019




The Office, Homestead, road bridge, probable Oak trees  Andersons Mill.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Waterwheel Anderson Mill. 
A high flume carried water from the river to flow onto the wheel towards its top and the wheel rotated towards that point.  Other designs have the wheel run in the opposite direction.
The ring gear on the outer rim of the waterwheel meshed with motion shafts and gears which transmitted power into the mill.
This was the primary source of power until 1947 when electricity was used.  Reference is made to a boiler and steam power in use at some stage.  The wheel is 8.53m diameter.
The gurgling water returned to the river via a tail race set deep near the foundations.




Sunday, November 24, 2019

This is the best thing in Victoria.  There is no accounting for taste.
  Andersons Mill at Smeaton, 1861, in bluestone, steam and water driven flour and later oat mill.  The industrial buildings and the homestead that made up this enterprise were close to a bend in the river with a stand of trees. 
Belts driven by the large fly wheel put vital processes into motion here there and everywhere.



Thursday, November 21, 2019

                                                                                                   
Leading Supercar! The race track. Almost ready for the weekend event on the streets of Newcastle East.













Heard the Federal Government is into fast tracking approval of infastructure projects which sounds good in theory and includes environmental approvals - be afraid be very afraid. 
With a self imposed total ban on mention of Climate change let alone any action by Federal and State Liberals what does the future hold?

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Climb every mountain....a 'walk' to the top above the communication towers just a 2 - 3 ks constant climb the track wound round 40 bends ending in umteen stairs, rain showers, hail, howling wind on the summit  - it was a challenge in my case!


It is often said that social media presents an idealised image and a simple tour is the happy subject of these photos.  There were also times of considerable distress in parellel over a problem in a member of the family.  Thats the reality.
The return journey was completed in a day, was free of car trouble, had a detour to visit relatives and 
were safe and sound just before D day or the day of catastrophic risk of bush fires.

  Words....wound as injury, wound as wound-up;  wind as wind-up, wind as windy weather !!

Sunday, November 10, 2019

'The Prom' from Mt Oberon
While I'm waiting.  We were cruising north through the interminable forests of the most remote stretch of the Princes Highway - the road less travelled. 
Was that a whine in the engine? It was getting louder. After some thinking we returned to a small town.
  We are not into genteel motoring and the Merc Diesel commercial reminds me of a diesel locomotive but feels good, bit noisy and lumbering and has a nice lot of power.
  Once parked bits were removed from under the bonnet.  He whose hobby is car engines, well, all engines, was pleased.  The car manual is likely to begin by removing bits from the rear bumper onwards but instead some pushing and shoving uncovered a problem.
  The NRMA roadside assist was phoned and connected to their counterpart in Victoria and spoke to a mechanic in the next town who would be with us in an hour with a tilt tray.
  A chilly wind and showers hung around, it was late in the day but the twilight we notice helps that way.  At least, in those conditions bush fires were not on our radar but who can say?
  Luke arrived.  He was a hands-on mechanic and quickly dragged out the fan from the housing.  At least it was not a case of a loose bolt and the whole engine needs replacement.  Luke the legend had none of that.
  The bearing in the fan had failed, the bolt was loose and it was seconds before the fan would fling itself into the radiator with damage that is incompatible with motoring.
  The plan is to return minus the cooling fan with care not to overheat on the climbs. While the Hume is mostly flat the Princes is up hill and down dale.  What is ahead?
  Later, shall we have dinner at the pub? well, um...I passed and missed out on Saturday night at the small hotel at Canns River.

/

Friday, November 08, 2019

How's the UV rating? What's the point of the photo? Lines of rain.  In striking distance of southern-most tip of the continent and wind and torrential rain set in.  The foray was called off.
 No wonder the fields are green. Bush fires north of home seem remote. Fodder everywhere, eat your heart out north of the border. Dairy country here.

Thursday, November 07, 2019

Pre race grand circut with part of the ultimate winner of the Melbourne Cup!  Vow and Declare seemed a good bet at the time but it was not taken up. The horse was very elegant. After a long period this was an Australian owned winner.
 The tiny device purporting to be a saddle was very strange. The jockey must do a balancing act each ride for which they deserve full marks.  The horse was 'rewarded' when a bucket of water was poured over it or was it Moet?

Sunday, November 03, 2019

More culture shock...where were we.... cruise down the Pyrenees highway beyond the old Grampian range which marked the edge of the continent in prehistory. 
The Grampians seemed very popular for camping, caravaning, hiking, significant rock climbing and the small town of Halls Gap is the centre of activity and to stay over in a whole range of places, none of which were ostentatious or exclusive.  Indigenous culture has a role.  Halloween was celebrated - it has a toe hold now.

Friday, November 01, 2019

Twelve Apostles?  Luckily the day was idyllic and the journey delightful.  Southern Victoria.
 It's as if I'm in another country if small details count.
 Greenest of green countryside, crops under cultivation as well as the harvest of fodder crops in full swing. Rows of big pine trees acting as windbreaks. It is beyond McDonalds and the big two supermarts. But very touristy on the Great Coast Road.
The interesting forests have slightly new varieties, thicker, greener (and I know ours fairly well) and great to be in. Even unique and extensive dry stone walling in one district.