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Irrawaddy Steamers 2010, Part 2 |
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This is part of our 2010 Burma Crusade. Pathein is not our favourite Burmese town by any means and we were glad to get out into the countryside. We were now running a little late on schedule and I trimmed back the day's itinerary a little. Next up was the mill by the station at Kankyidaung, basically we needed to get the number for its standard 11" Tangye. That was easily done (#12263) although the engine was lying unloved in pieces next to the newly installed (12.8.10) reconditioned boiler. In its place was a magnificent green 12" Marshall brought down from the north of the Division at great expense (23.7.07). The mill was temporarily halted which allowed for better still photography. The two brothers who ran the place were clearly committed to steam for the foreseeable future which was indeed good news. One of them had designed a paddy drier which was basically a large steam heated steel box mounted as a 'shaker', they proudly told us it was not only unique but it gave them a 6 week extra season at each harvest. In due course, the engine was started and as I expected it ran immaculately and smoothly for the video camera. It was a much better experience...
We hit the Myaungmya road which had been sealed since our last visit or rather just the first 5 miles had. Where 4 years ago we had had to alight from our bus to cross a wooden bridge there was a new concrete structure. We dived down a side track to Kyaiklat where none of the three mills was working. One of the mills on the river bank is particularly hospitable (it does sometimes help Yuehong being Chinese) and as usual we had to take some coffee and cake in their beautifully maintained homestead although their Tangye (#12319) is not quite so well looked after. Imagine being a sprightly 85 and having your own (paddy) boat tied up outside your house...
Our next stop was Myinkasap where we had enjoyed amazing hospitality on our last visit in 2006. Most of the mills in the village were unchanged, one of the Marshalls was working but our favourite Robey was covered in dust, they had been using a diesel engine recently. Next door, a brand new mill was going up which would contain equipment directly imported from China and a gasifier. I know I am prejudiced and it's none of my business, but looking at the build quality (paint falling off already, dents and broken glass), I fear it may end in tears and I would strongly recommend a few sessions at the family altar... My bet is that the old Robey (42839) at her brother's mill nearby may outlive a lot of the new kit
We took our leave and headed for Myaungmya, my provisional schedule required us to make a start on bashing the rice mills there that afternoon. |
