Penmachno Woollen Mill, Conwy - March 2011

[The Littlest Jellyfish]

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:



And here are my sorry efforts:













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











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:















Thanks for looking!

[MJS]

Nice stuff jellyfish! I like it

[Only2Eyes]

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]

I always have smart bills on. A man without smart bills is a man without self-respect.

[Only2Eyes]

*Checks bills*

I hate myself.

[BA]

Nice