On and on

Newnes shale oil refinery ruins, Wollemi National Park

The ruins are extensive, spreading a kilometre along the Wolgan river and up a steep slope. It must have been quite a challenge getting the works established. I understand that a 100 years ago this was one of the biggest industrial operations in the state.

Words to walk with:
From Love Among the Ruins by Robert Browning
"Now,--the single little turret that remains
On the plains,
By the caper overrooted, by the gourd
Overscored,
While the patching houseleek's head of blossom winks
Through the chinks--
Marks the basement whence a tower in ancient time
Sprang sublime,
And a burning ring, all round, the chariots traced
As they raced,
And the monarch and his minions and his dames
Viewed the games.

...

In one year they sent a million fighters forth
South and North,
And they built their gods a brazen pillar high
As the sky,
Yet reserved a thousand chariots in full force--
Gold, of course.
Oh heart! oh blood that freezes, blood that burns!
Earth's returns
For whole centuries of folly, noise and sin!
Shut them in,
With their triumphs and their glories and the rest!
Love is best.