The Millwright

In hindsight, it's easy to see how a background in both kitchens and mechanics would bring me into the role as a millwright.

Processing food generally degrades it, but some must undergo a change before being ready for the table.

Grain can be done by hand, but the toil is more than most people are willing to undergo these days and so a mill is needed to do the work.

There are machines in a mill, and I can fix machines.

I find it somehow comforting to work on a machine that is still being called into service after a hundred years.

Some people might see it as not having come very far.

My consolation is that maybe we haven't come too far.

This kind of equipment is in demand at the moment due to a resurgence of small scale agriculture.

It is an honour to breathe new life into it.

It's easy to imagine myself living a century ago; toiling in a dark factory.

The dust and the din.

Each machine is part of a bigger one.

If one fails, it all breaks down.

Pressure and excitement build while pulleys squeal and belts moan.