Work Party 16-18 June 2022

As June 16 was a public holiday, a group headed up to the mill for an extended work party. This group included Kalven, Wayne, Megan, Grant, Peter, Jill and Mwayi joined later by Musa, Anele and Ndu.

A primary aim of this work party was to finish the sluice Gate installation. Then the sluice gate is opened and water flows along the headrace in front of the mill for the first time in 12 years.

Meanwhile various other projects were in progress: Grant and Kalven install LED light fittings on all three floors of the mill.

Megan toiled away for over an hour doing an immaculate job sweeping the long flight of steps down to the turbine. (see if you can spot her).

It puts one in mind of the verse from Lewis Carroll’s The Walrus & the Carpenter: “If seven maids with seven mops swept it for half a year, Do you suppose,” the Walrus said, “That they could get it clear?” “I doubt it,” said the carpenter and shed a bitter tear.

Wayne was busy with the chainsaw dealing with those darned invasive aliens, resulting in an impressive pile of logs and sticks. These were then burned in the brazier serving the dual purpose of giving the A’s their just deserts and providing warmth for the evening camaraderie on both the Friday and Saturday evenings

On Saturday a crowd of over 50 gathered at the mill to hear talks on Trappist History followed by a tour of the mill while the machinery turned slowly. Renowned Heritage Architect Robert Brusse then gave a fascinating talk on the history and architecture of Reichenau.