Chesterton Windmill

The weather was so nice today we decided to go for a ride. Off we went through Leamington, Offchurch, towards Southam, then back through Harbury and as we usually do when we cycle in that area, we stopped at Chesterton Windmill.



There were much more people than usual, and many cyclists like us. Then we saw some sort of barriers surrounding the windmill at the top of the hill. And a sign saying "EVENT CANCELLED" in front of us. "What event?" we asked "what happened here?". We were told that as a special event, the windmill was set to be working during the weekend for people to come and see. Unfortunately, on Saturday one of the arms broke whilst spinning!

We walked up the hill and got close to the windmill, there was a big "POLICE, DO NOT CROSS" tape all around. The windmill looked very very very sad and the whole scene bore a very dramatic atmosphere.

Extract of the local news:

Sail falls off historic windmill

A woman visiting an historic windmill was airlifted to hospital after a sail broke off and fell to the ground.

The visitor was left with cuts and bruises and a suspected broken finger after the accident a Chesterton Windmill in Warwickshire on Saturday.

The 17th Century windmill only opens to the public for one weekend a year. It was immediately closed for health and safety reasons.

A spokeswoman said she hoped the windmill would open in future years.

The Warwickshire County Council spokeswoman apologised to visitors and said: "We are sure many people will be disappointed, and we are very sorry for any inconvenience."

As many as 600 visitors were expected at the open day.

They will now look at repairing it, the cost of which must be massive.



As far as cycling is concerned, we did just over 20 miles, but it seems like nothing without any luggage and compared to what we did on our holidays!

I am off to Nuremberg next week for work. I have fond memories of this town. Being 15 and drinking beer on Duerer Platz for instance. And walking through the market square in front of the cathedral. Paved streets. I have to remember to take a change of casual shoes as I'd be in serious trouble wearing heels!

Then I will spend the weekend in Frankfurt on my way back, where I am meeting a former colleague and friend from the time I was living there... 4 years ago! wow! That will be really nice to see her again and to be in Frankfurt.

I hope to also see a university friend of mine who lives in Bonn but is in Iran for work at the moment. Our best chance of a meeting is having lunch together on Sunday at Frankfurt's airport, what do you think of that?