This is the blacksmith's workshop at the State Mine Heritage Park in Lithgow. I enjoyed a photoshoot out there in March 2010.
I chose this image because of today's book ... which is not about a blacksmith, that was just his surname.
A book I have read recently
The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith by Thomas Keneally, another one from the Australian list. I have mostly avoided Keneally even though I know he is a good writer because he seems to be a bit of an activist with an Irish chip on his shoulder. This book fits the mould being about a black man's revenge against a unjust and intolerant society. Jimmy turns into a bushranger and murderer.
It is well written, quite gruesome in parts but leaves me wondering how true to the aboriginal perspective it is, given he is a white writer. This is a fairly old book (1970s) and Keneally admits he wouldn't get away with it today. Not that I prescribe to the notion that authors should only write from their own lived experience.
I love historic sites like this. It's nice to get a feel for how people lived and worked "back then."
ReplyDeleteNot entirely "back then" when it comes to blacksmiths. My Dad was a blacksmith along with his other engineering work. As a child I loved to crouch by his forge and watch him work the iron. It's high drama with red/orange hot metal, lots of hammering (with small hammers and large sledge hammers) then a big hiss when the hot metal object is quenched in water bath as part of the tempering process.
DeleteOh what lovely memories of watching your Dad. We visited an old forge when I was in France with my daughter. The blacksmiths wife still lived there and made and sold wine. I love the windows in this photo !
DeleteThe anvil draws my eye.
ReplyDeleteAn anvil always brings back memories of my Dad (see above).
DeleteThought provoking comments re Keneally's book.
ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying widening my reading because it does provoke thoughts.
DeleteInteresting, I love such old places!
ReplyDeleteI do too. In this one the smell of the coal/coke brought back many memories for me whereas in other parts of the workshops it was the smell of oil and grease.
DeleteFascinating and super photogenic equipment Joan Elizabeth, must have been fun watching your dad while he was blacksmithing, is that an actual word 😀
ReplyDelete