Monday, October 1, 2012

Flour Mill and Stonehenge

Visited the Sturminster Newton Mill in Dorset county. This most picturesque of watermills was largely re-built around 1650. The Mill is maintained in full working order and is powered, by a one hundred-year-old water turbine. The full range of machinery is always "ticking over". The production of flour from one of these mills is very physical and exhausting work. Also since grain was imported cheaper from overseas these type of inland mills gave way to larger steam run mills closer to the docks - instead these mills would produce animal feed. This was a working mill up to 1970.

 

 

Driving along the back country roads is quite an experience. There is usually only room for one vehicle. At one point we had to back up until we could pull off to the side of the road to let another car go by. In another instance we were on the main road out of one village and encountered several hundred cows being moved from the pasture down the lane around the corner to the barn to be milked! Good thing we were not in a hurry.

 


We visited the Gartell Light Railway to view a miniature scale steam engine and train - works exactly like a regular steam train and I am sure my little Hannah would have loved to take a ride on it.

Next off to Stonehenge near Amesbury in Wiltshire. The ancient stone circle of Stonehenge is unique; an exceptional survival from a prehistoric culture now lost to us. The monument evolved between 3,000BC and 1600BC. It is aligned with the midsummer sunrise and midwinter sunset, but its exact purpose remains a mystery. Today, this World Heritage site is a source of inspiration and fascination and for many, a place of worship and celebration.

 

Janet, me and Joe (my dad's cousin).
 

 

 

 



 

Off to Wardour Castle. There is an old castle and new castle. The new castle below has been renovated into luxury apartments.

 
The old castle built in the 1300's was destroyed in the English civil war in the 1600's however its remains have been preserved as an English heritage site. It is hard to believe and entire village of people lived and worked on these premises.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look carefully and you will see me above.

 

It is so peaceful and picturesque driving through all the different villages it is like going back in time with the narrow roads, stone houses, beautiful gardens and thatched roofs. This would be a different way of life - no box stores in sight,no downtown everyone still visits the local butcher. One police officer and one fire department look after several villages - although I never want to be confronted with a fire truck on these village lanes!

1 comment:

  1. Lorna,

    What great experiences for you. Reminds me of years and years ago traveling with my Mom and Dad. Dad once had to reverse with a caravan on the car. Now that takes technique!!

    Continue to enjoy

    ReplyDelete