The Steamtug Blog

The Geelong show came and went. It poured rain and everyone was suprised. Then I reminded them that we have had 14 years of drought, and this is what the show used to be like all those years ago. They all nodded and agreed. I also reminded them of all the good years we had with great crowds because it never rained. Now it’s back to the way the world is supposed to be and we should be prepared to take a loss now and again due to the weather.

Unfotunately I had my holidays from work cancelled and got called back to work earlier than expected. At least I got Bathurst done and dusted, but it meant having to juggle work and the show together. So I was rostered on to look after the boiler and steam engines in the evenings. Chris and I did a traditional fireman’s cook up making bacon and eggs on the fireman’s shovel to the delight of the visitors to our shed. (They screwed their noses up!)

Since I had control of the boiler at the end of the day, I made the most of it and shut it down the old fashioned way, opening the firebox door to warm our backsides and keeping a small fire for ambiance and to keep our boiler hot for the following morning. It worked a treat with the cold damp conditions outside, with many of the members coming around to warm up and tell yarns by the fire. It was just like the old days, I thought to myself as I poured another can of rum and cola into my tea cup. All was well, we were happy as we sipped our rum by the fire with everyone thinking we were drinking black coffee.

One of our members who is an IT guru has created a web page with lots of photos. If  you would like to have a look check out:

http://www.vintagegeelong.com/

Don’t forget we have Lake Goldsmith coming up on the 30th and 31st October. If you have never been, it’s certainly worth the trip!