And so it was that an intrepid group of members of Banbury Rotary Club braved the travails of HS2 to visit Quainton Mill near Aylesbury.
They were not disappointed: the windmill soared majestically into the air just an easy walk from the pub at which time had been set-aside to share experiences over lunch.
At the Mill we were greeted by a team of volunteers whose knowlege of, and enthusiasm for the Windmill was exceeded only by their friendliness and willingness to explain it's workings.
The Mill had been built in 1832 but had fallen into disuse as steam conquered all by the turn of the century. For 70 years it stood derelict and decaying.
In 1974 an enthusiastic team saved the building and commenced restoring it albeit with use of more modern materials as and where appropriate.
The sails and much of the operating equipment stands perched on a roller system where a fantail system rotates the multi-ton set-up to always face into the wind.
The roller rail system had been recast as part of the restoration and it was fittingly announced this had been carried out by Swan Foundries of Banbury!
Most managed to brave the stairway and step-ladders to the marvellous views from the top and to receive further information about the machinery on each floor.
After a hearty meal at the pub, and being told by the pub manager how nice it was to have such a happy, chatty group of people, (yes - us!) we headed back to Banbury.
You can see photos of the mill in the Albums section here.