Men and Boys - well really its just Boys !

One of the best things about having a dedicated workshop is the focus it can give to Dads doing something with their boys . Here Steve and Josh play on the air hockey board to be restored ; young ones learn to master the ongoing challenge of getting there ( eventually ) with nails .
 Thanks Andrew for a great finale . Next year we hope to visit one of the biggest International tractor collections around , more model boats and planes . Send us your contact details.

Steam boat dags

One of the most endearing finds on our trip out east was to see Andrews completely hand made steam engine and boat. It comes complete with an engine -with reverse( that the shiny steel you can see- all handmade!) water pumps and tea making machine . What a way to relax - coasting around Lake Colac all day on a bucket of coal ( takes up to 6 people?) . At 160 psi, tea making takes only seconds. ( see the teapot on top of the boiler) Can't wait - if only we knew when Lake Colac was next going to fill

Provans polished performance

Anyone (in our team anyway!) can weld up a bit of rusty metal, but only the classy keep it polished and pretty. Ah steam and brass --tis beautiful . This is the operators end of Andrew's traction engine
Not that its all polished - a bit like us . Alan and Les admire the ongoing work in the shed .

On the subject of our keeping a fine balance between showyness and practicality 12 cars/ trucks of Provans from a bygone era featured recently in a movie in Melbourne; Why ? They looked the part, just the right amount of wear and tear. So what are we going to do to keep them and some of Merv's trucks in Colac ?
Steam power too --- tis awesome;
The steam traction engine featured in the Colac Extra but it wasn't a patch on the homemade boat Andrew uncovered in the shed ( mind you -not the only thing he's done from scratch).
Note the kettle for a cuppa on top . At 160psi the teas made in seconds !

Ze Poor man's porshe Picnic

Another great day in October . Age does not weary them . They maybe rusty and old, but it's design that we enjoy and good design is eternal.
Like the blokes from TOP GEAR we enjoy driving the best, but... generally have to wait ,, well ...till they've done a few tests.

How do like this old 1200 motor driving the hedge cutter - just put it in the front forks and drive away - you can do that with porshe engines and gearboxes- so light and note only driving on one side!