On our way from the Hotel Ferdinand at Baile Herculane in the Cerna area. We visit a “few” mills this day. It promises to be a long day, and for that reason we are equipped with a packed lunch. But this is thinking the wrong way. We did see a whole bunch of mills.
On the way to the first mill, we noticed a big carved face into the rocks, reminding all of us of the head figures of the presidents carved somewhere in the USA. And for those who know something about British rockmusic it looked like a piece of Deep Purple in Rock, a seventies album cover.
We had to climb a little and find our way through freshly cut hedges. Our guide contacted the maires of all places we visit, and ordered them to clean the areas around the mills, so they looked decent, and for us it was much easier to find a good point of view to take pictures. Some of the french participants carry a rollmeter, and they do measure the stones we find on our way. At a given time, I saw Yolt counting the blades of a waterwheel. A German lady draws sketches, and then there is Jean-Pierre with his tripod to take pictures at low speeds, without using flashlight. This is Tims you have to know, this is not a sightseeing tour. Gathering information is definitely one of the goals, although enjoying the areas and the mills is an added pleasure. This mill was not in working order. Some parts were missing.
At the top of the road behind the mill somebody was growing all kinds of vegetables, on a small piece of land. Pieces of a cut tree waiting to be split to end up as firewood. The axe lying on the side.
Eat at hotel
In the afternoon around four o’clock we arrive at a set of mills all near a small stream. You could see these mills were only used by cows sheltering during the night, or probably also during the day when it becomes too hot. The “machinery” is still there. And as there is sometimes no longer water running towards the water turbines, we can climb down near to the wheels to study the wheels and make pictures of them.
The last mill is situated on a farm, where we are thrown back into time. More on that story tomorrow….
