And for the last time: Nundle!

I need to take my mind off lace for a while - have some lovely photos taken by DD in April instead!

Outside the back of the Mill



A small wool press



A larger wool press




Decorative metal flowers nearly as tall as the two storey mill



I don't think you'll get much wool off this sheep!

Nundle again

Because I know you want more, here are some photos taken by DD on our trip to Nundle in April. [I can't believe I haven't posted these already - they were so good!]

Here's the spinning machine in action...




...and the carding machine - you can almost see it flying!



Here's the biggest ball winder I've ever seen!

The Nundle Woollen Mill

You can read the history of the Mill here - it's not as old as people imagine though the mill equipment is quite old.

We arrived at the Woollen Mill just as the doors were opened [10am] and only one machine [the dyer] was running. Just as well I saw most of it in action in April. A lot of the products in the store seem to be imported though they do sell their own yarn too. It's quite expensive as yarns go, it would be cheaper to buy from Bendigo and you would have a greater choice of colours, yarn types and weights too. However, it's the only place I've seen that mills its own 20ply [very chunky]. To be fair, there was a favourable review of Nundle yarn in the current issue of Yarn magazine [Issue 11].

What I do like about Nundle is the mill is set up so you can see the machines in action; something you can't do in Wangaratta or Bendigo - both bigger operations of course. I guess because this is set up as a tourist attraction as well as a working mill.

So, you've had my opinion, here - for your viewing pleasure - some photos from the Mill. First: the dye pot! [Yes the yarn was being dyed that olive colour!]




The carding machine [not in action]



The spinning machine [also not in action]



The wool winding machines [you guessed - not in action]. Those two people on the far side in the red and aqua are DD and myself so that gives you some idea of the scale of the place and the machinery.

we interrupt the knitting to bring you... a travel-blog

That's right - today's Day 1 of our trip "down south".

We left home at 8.30. First stop - at 11.00 - was a tiny town called Gunning. The population according to one sign is 1,000; according to the welcome sign - 560! DD was impressed by the historical architecture, like the original Catholic church [which has since been replaced] and the old hut which is now a museum.
More amazingly, sites at the caravan park were free [maximum stay two nights!], as was entry to the swimming pool [too cold to swim today - maximum 17*C, which was warm for this time of year]. We had morning tea in Barbour Park with this view.




Lunch was in Gundagai. We didn't see the Dog on the Tucker Box; with all the roadworks I missed it. We ate lunch in a park near the Tourist Information Centre. Filled up with fuel - 169.9c per litre [about $AUS7.00 a gallon!] then we were on the road again.

We stopped for a 'rest stop' in the town of Holbrook. There we saw the most amazing site today: can you guess what this is? Yes, that's right - a real submarine! On dry land! Far from the coast! Does that make it a subterranean? You can read about it here.



Finally, after nearly 700km [approx . 440 miles] we arrived. Yes, we're here: Wangaratta - the home of Australian Country Spinners - suppliers of Patons, Cleckheaton and Panda yarns. Tomorrow, we hit the mill shop!

We're off!

DD and I are leaving soon for beautiful Bingara on the north-west slopes and plains of NSW [where my parents live]. Thursday night we'll be staying with my sister in Tamworth and on Friday we'll take a detour to Nundle Woollen Mill on the way home.

Behave yourselves while I'm away!! LOL