Early autumn catch-up

I enjoyed good weather in North Wales (see the previous entry in the blog) and that continued for the rest of September and into early October. I've had a few runs out into the Peak District on the Kawasaki W800 and the mighty Moto Guzzi Griso and can certainly recommend the home made soups at the Hulme End Cafe in the old terminus of the Leek & Manifold Light Railway near Hartington in the White Peak. It makes a great lunch stop on a ride out.

Hulme End cafe is in the old L&MLR engine shed at the former terminus of the narrow gauge line from Waterhouses. The old station building on the left is now a visitor centre.

Here are a few other trips out:

Please click on any picture for a larger image.

Saturday 19th September. North Rode Transport Show

 A sunny but hazy day. The W800 at the North Rode show, in the lovely countryside between Macclesfield and Congleton

 A brace of little grey Furgys

Lovely lunch; a pint of excellent bitter straight from the barrel, and a locally-made growler (pork pie!) 

Hazey Bosley communications tower on Sutton Common overlooks the classic commercial vehicle display 

Twin SU carburetors on this Lagonda 

Tractor line up

Wednesday 23rd September. National Trust trip to Stainsby Mill

National Trust Volunteers from Quarry Bank Mill enjoyed a coach trip to Hardwick Hall and Stainsby Mill 

 Nether Alderley guides Carolyn and Rose outside Stainsby Mill (Stainsby guide in the background). As a miller (and guide) at the National Trust's Nether Alderley Mill my main interest wasn't Hardwick Hall, but this mill. 

The mill's water wheel. This is surprisingly modern, being a suspension wheel with rim power take-off, just like the much larger 'Great Wheel' at Quarry Bank Mill. The water wheels at Nether Alderley are older technology wooden-spoked with axle power take-off

The Hurst Frame at Stainsby. The near and far vertical shafts drive the two sets of mill stones, while the chain in the foreground works the sack hoist to lift the sacks of grain to the top of the mill. 

One set of mill stones. Like ours at Nether Alderley, these are French burr stone. 

This is the winnower, where the wheat is separated from the chaff. It is not in working order and isn't required as, like Nether Alderley, the mill today uses clean grain. 

The belt-driven blower for the winnower 

Looking down into the 'sectioned' drying kiln. The fire would have been in the centre brick pillar, the brick arch on the right would have encompassed the entire kiln, with the drying floor of pierced tiles supported on the beams. 

The kiln fire place - just like ours at Nether Alderley. The kiln in these mills was mainly used for oats, to 'crisp' the husks so they can be removed by de-husking stones before the oats are milled.

Sunday 4th October. Acton Bridge Steam Rally

My W800 today at the Leigh Arms, Acton Bridge, home of the annual steam rally

On arrival I'd parked outside the pub car park, but soon moved inside among the engines

A be-flagged roller 

 Avellana, back to back with a half-size miniature engine

A smart Foden, 'King George V' 

The Leigh Arms though coal smoke 

 'Little Audrey', a Davey Paxman engine

 A quarter scale miniature simmers in front of a steam waggon

'Oberon' is nearest in this steam line-up 

Close up of 'Avellana', a smart Aveling and Porter engine. It's a compound as indicated by the smaller high pressure cylinder and larger low pressure one as can be seen here. 

This is 'Betsy', the Late Fred Dibnah's roller. It is now owned by Fred's sons. 

 My W800 among older machinery

Well, rain forecast for tomorrow. The first in weeks. But what a great 'Indian Summer'!

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