Monday, September 2, 2013

Leonora,Gwalia & My Big Stick

We did a small amount of shopping in town
and then called into the Visitor Centre.
It's amazing to see what a Lotteries Grant can do.


From there it was onto Gwalia, which we missed out on the Museum
last time as we arrived late on a Sunday.


The first thing that greeted us was this great wheel.


This is the Sons of Gwalia Pit.
Not a big hole in the ground, about 300 mts deep.
Now I had a chat to guy who tells me 
that it goes down another 1500 mts.
 But it is a 15 km. drive in a big spiral to get there...... 
WHOW 


This the mine managers house built by Herbert Hoover.
 Later the 31st. President of the United States.


It is also used as a B & B.this was his room....
Yours for $150 a night.


The Dining Room.


The largest surviving Timber Head Frame in Australia...


Then into the Museum....
This caught my eye !


And this Alison's....



Water Cart Wheels.
I suppose this is the equivalent to a puncture repair now days.


Ever wonder how they used to do the lettering on plans
so neatly ? Well I did & this was how. 


A Coolgardie Safe.


Ray this ones for you......
Wouldn't you like to get your hands on this lot !!


The control for the Steam Winder, an humungous steam driven engine.
Used to haul the buckets up & down the Head Frame.




Some of the old stuff with the open cut behind.


I couldn't resist this tree clinging to life, half way down the mine.


The old State Hotel.
These were set up by the Government to try & stop the "Sly Grog Shops"


The old buildings of Gwalia.
Most of them open.


Nobody seems to steal anything, which is fantastic.


It's great to be able to just walk through this piece of history.



This is inside the shop.


Ever wondered what happened to the water
 that is pumped out of these mines, I have?
The same guy told me it's pumped over there.
So a quick trip over to have a look.


I could see a guy in the Park painting something,
so off I went to investigate.


After a long talk & a demo of his skills, I went to get Alison.



He played 2 of his sold Didge's that a are sold to go overseas.


Then Danny went to get this one...
unfinished  but it sounded better than the other 2.
So after much negotiation,
 I am the proud owner of what Danny assures me will be a great Didge....
and something to finish when I get back.
And then learn how to play it......



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