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View Full Version : Penmachno Woollen Mill, Conwy - March 2011



The Littlest Jellyfish
15-03-2011, 09:25 PM
A journey from point A (let's call it Origintown) to point B (let's call it Destinationville) took me past Penmachno Woollen Mill, a small but lovely mill on the Afon Machno. I thought I'd stop for a closer look. Three independent factors prevented this visit being upgraded from yet another semi-fail to a grade A top explore:

1. I didn't really have much time
2. I happened to be wearing smart and fashionable trousers
3. I am a coward

Still, not a total loss, because it's a smashing area, I got to do some exciting and dangerous climbing on slippery rocks, and I saw some nice things. One not-nice thing I saw, though, was a dead cat, which I almost put my hand on as I was climbing back up from the river.

Here's a brief history: the mill was built during the 18th century to finish locally woven rough cloth. Later in the 19th century it became a weaving mill, and produced double-weave bedspreads. I don't know how much you know about Welsh double-weave bedspreads, but they're wonderful and unique things: very heavy, very warm and with instantly recognisable patterns; each mill would generally have its own series of unique patterns. Up until relatively recently (2000-ish, I think) it acted as a working museum and shop.

Here's a beautiful photo of inside, taken by celebrated photographer Geoff Charles in 1952:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penmachno.jpg

And here are my sorry efforts:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm0.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm2.jpg http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm1b.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm3.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm4.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm5.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm6.jpg

Here's one to add to the 'electrical panels that look like funny faces' Tumblr:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm7.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm8.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm9.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm10.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm11.jpg

This next shot is the closest you're going to get to seeing inside, I'm afraid (I was wearing smart trousers, remember). It's looking up through a grille in the floor, with me dangerously half-balanced at the top of a huge, wet, rocky slope. That green thing is a gigantic wheel:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm12.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm13.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm14.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm15.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm16.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm17.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/dr-nylon/uef/penm18.jpg

Thanks for looking!

MJS
15-03-2011, 10:23 PM
Nice stuff jellyfish! I like it

Only2Eyes
15-03-2011, 10:26 PM
Good stuff TLJ, some nice shots.

Maybe go back in your scruffs, or alternatively just strip down to your bills. Unless you had smart bills on too.

The Littlest Jellyfish
15-03-2011, 10:28 PM
I always have smart bills on. A man without smart bills is a man without self-respect.

Only2Eyes
15-03-2011, 10:35 PM
*Checks bills*

I hate myself.

BA
15-03-2011, 10:48 PM
Nice :thumb