The next day, I had arranged with Tinkie Conradie, a friend and fellow Tractor & Engine Club member to visit Kleinplasie Open Air Museum in Worcester, particularly to have a good look at the Roller Mill there. Tinkie was involved in dismantling it in Sakrivier, midway between Calvinia and Brandvlei in the Northern Cape, and installing it where it is. Unfortunately it is positioned in an area seldom open to the public, so despite a huge effort and expense to move it and with SASKO’s help to restore its internals, it was from the beginning, a bit of a white elephant.

We were all holding thumbs for the weather for Saturday, 28^th August; a large group of Press and special customers had been invited for the launch of a new wine blend, aptly named ‘Vitruvian’. 

The date on the farm gate says 1695. It’s believed the Mill was built in 1721, but James Walton reported in 1974 that the water wheel and machinery had recently been brought from the farm Matjies Rivier in Ceres by Dr & Mrs Anton Rupert. 

My first surprise in arriving at the Mill was that the flap covering the hole for the meal-spout was hanging open. Had it been opened by rats?

It’s been a long time since I dressed the stones; chores at home and an expedition to dismantle Phoenix Roller Mills in Grahamstown, in such a way that it can be reassembled, have got in the way. Eventually, Womens’ Day offered an opportunity to get back.

I had popped in to lower the runner loosely into place in the meantime, because I needed the chain-blocks in Grahamstown. I found the farm staff had kindly done a wonderful job of cleaning up all the fine stone dust which covered absolutely everything!

Last week’s start at stone-dressing was hampered by having to come home early, but perhaps it was a good thing. During this last week, I have made contact with Michael Stoate who is a 5^th generation miller, and he not only does stone milling for a living, but he has been dressing a pair of stones this week! He has not only been able to answer all my questions, by return of e-mail, but has answered un-asked questions by sending detailed photographs of what he is doing. He runs Cann Mills, Shaftesbury in Dorsetshire http://www.stoatesflour.co.uk/ 

Questions like how deep must the groove be? What angle should the sloping edge be? …are all easily picked up from the photos.

I had decided to hang the rocking chute on donkey chains, so that was the first job:

I had planned to be at La Motte in Franschhoek helping Pietie le Roux set up their Mill, so that they can produce their own meal for the bread served at the restaurant on that farm, but the pump which is used to recirculate the water to turn the wheel broke at the last minute. I suspect those stones might need dressing, so I told Pietie I’d learn instead at Compagnes Drift and practise at La Motte, instead of the other way around! 

Armed with James Walton’s book, some grinding discs and a ‘builders’ hammer, I got stuck in. On Pippa’s advice, I tested one of the broken stones outside, and it was immediately apparent that these ‘silcrete’ stones are hard! But first the ‘furniture had to be dismantled. This was surprisingly easy and within about 15 minutes, the stones were exposed.

The heading gets long if you don’t compile a report for some time! In truth, I have been in hospital for some of February for abdominal surgery, so that at least is an excuse! Luckily the ‘attack’ happened after the Open Day weekend, which was a phenomenal success, with a constant stream of visitors to watch the Mill working! Stephen Sokolic was a great help on the busier Sunday. 

From the meal milled on the two preceding Saturdays, Nici Beaumont of Zest Catering made 91 loaves of bread; the last was sold by mid-day on Sunday. Many 1-kg bags of meal were also sold direct to the amazed onlookers and from the stalls where the action was taking place up at the Big House, along with wine tasting and sales, picnics, a marimba band and games of boules…. what an atmosphere!  

Stephen kindly brought two ‘Oregon’ pine planks for the front and rear of the main elevator, but there’s been no further progress on that front. I want to set a window into the front panel so that the buckets can be seen descending.

The main elevator still needs a front and a back; the front will have a glass pane, so the descending buckets can be seen.

The first surprise was at the Houw Hoek Farmstall, which I can’t pass without popping in for one or more of their famous pies! Bennie, who hovers around the shop and wine display area, invariably wears the cap and apron of one of the other wineries, and I always tease him that he never wears his Beaumont Wines outfit. Surprise! Surprise!

Bennie, in Beaumont Wines livery (for a change!), standing at the Beaumont Wines display at Houw Hoek Farm Stall.