On one of my many runs in Mauritius, I ran across the ruins of a sugar mill, it was built in 1822 and operated for about 50 years. Huge sections of the buildings remain, but there is no roof. I’m sure it’s a teenage-hangout place to get up to mischief, and I believe that it’s also sometimes used for wedding photo shoots. The ruins are in Belle Mare, just South of Flacq.
Mostert’s Mill was built in 1796 in Cape Town, and it is the only surviving windmill in Cape Town. It is perched on the side of the M3 freeway – just below the University of Cape Town, and is passed by thousands of cars every day. I have driven past it (quite literally) thousands of times myself. But when driving past I just get a glimpse. When running past I get time to pause, take a look and appreciate the wonderful skill that must have gone into the making of the mill. Luckily for me the mill is on one of my favourite running routes when I do some training in the Rondebosch area.
Occasionally they set the sails and the mill can be seen in operation – just like it was over 200 years ago.
More details are at http://www.mostertsmill.co.za/
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