Hi Snappy members, we finally braved the changeable weather and 5 members ventured out ,,I shouldn't really complain because apart from it being a little overcast mother nature was kind an we didn't get wet although the light was a bit challenging. I have inserted the first shot to give an idea for anyone that hasn't been there, of how the buildings and machinery had virtually just been left, we where free to roam taking care to watch your footing.
Our last trip up there we met a lady that was born in the little house closest too the camera, as you can see the day wasn't that great but I believe over the next few months we will see the results of some careful composition.
The buildings are slowly decaying but are sound enough to enter with care, the surrounding stacks of timber and old vehicles offer some angles of interest.
The wrecks provided some good colour the red rust on the bonnet of this truck was thick with a very deep red fungus which looks quite neat in comparison to the other colours.
Inside the old Mill itself the blades which are about 1.5 metres across are still hanging with all the belts and pulleys looking like with a bit of work you could just flip the switch and break down a log or two. The Mill was originally powered by a stationary steam engine, then later a diesel generator and then huge electric motors. There are still the last orders chalked on a board inside the mill.
Here you can see what was the old boiler ,pulleys and the front of the cylinders that transferred the power to those massive blades.
This was one of the currant occupiers of the mill , He followed us around flitting from camera to camera truth to tell there's probably more shots of him on some of the machinery but this was close to hand for me to load.
Here's Charles checking a truck out for renovation but me thinks it 's just a bit too much work.
Kee's is our resident try everything farmer, and believe it or not the mill owner assures us it runs ,not well but it does go, again that fungal rust looks incredible.
Those are just an outline of what was on offer , I think the next little trip will be to get out and capture some of those Autumn Colours. See you at club next meeting Tuesday 19th May at The Croquet Club rooms Bank St , Te Awamutu, 8-00pm or just a bit before.
Those who check this out before it happens tomorrow we have a little display on at The Te Awamutu Museum 10-30am to 2pm , 16th May.
