I noticed earlier on my weather app that tomorrow and Thursday were going to be rainy days, so since today was simply gorgeous I had a look on Google maps to see where else I could walk to besides Lloyd Park and spotted a windmill.
Post Mill Windmill is located in an area called Shirley and on the other side of Coombe Park from where I am currently located.
So just after 2pm I set off to find a windmill. And I was not disappointed. Its beautiful, and even though Google erroneously says its open, it was in fact closed – which I expected.
It was quite a walk at 30 minutes and OMG, asphalt does kill my feet 🥴🥴🥺🥺 but worth it to find this beauty.
Post Mill Windmill Shirley 
Post Mill Windmill Shirley
Post Mill Windmill Shirley
I also spotted these beauties in one of the gardens on my route back
When I got back to the house I did a bit of research and with thanks to wikipedia: The post mill is the earliest type of European windmill. Its defining feature is that the whole body of the mill that houses the machinery is mounted on a single vertical post, around which it can be turned to bring the sails into the wind. All post mills have an arm projecting from them on the side opposite the sails and reaching down to near ground level. With some, as at Saxtead Green, the arm carries a fantail to turn the mill automatically. With the others the arm serves to rotate the mill into the wind by hand. The earliest post mills in England are thought to have been built in the 12th century.
Then I had a look on Google to find out more about the Post Mill windmill in Shirley and find that they have a dedicated website and are open for visits at various times of the year…just not today 🤪 https://www.shirleywindmill.org.uk/
I’ve discovered and visited many a windmill over the last 13 years and when I was up in Nottingham a few years ago, I bought some freshly milled flour for my son-in-law who bakes delicious cakes.
One of the prettiest windmills I visited was in Bembridge on the Isle of Wight managed by the National Trust
and in Rye, East Sussex (converted into a gorgeous but pricey B&B)
I love visiting windmills and find them absolutely fascinating, and no matter if I’ve visited numerous windmills already, I still enjoy another visit to the next discovery. I guess that I shall have to plan a visit out this way again sometime in summer and see if I can visit this one.
Meanwhile I got in another 6.1kms towards my 2021 virtual challenge of 2,600kms and another stretch of the Ring Road Iceland (1332.5kms) under my belt…or should I say feet 🚶🏻♀️🚶🏻♀️👣👣 which are not very happy atm. I think I’ll have a shorter walk tomorrow – weather dependant. But on the plus side, I’ve completed 474.2kms since January 1st on the 2021 challenge, and 56km of the Ring Road Iceland challenge…only 1,276.5kms to go 😄😄😄
Not Just a Granny 
Totally agree – asphalt is a killer for my feet 🙄.
Love windmills … I remember those stone windmills on the coastal route from Porto, close to Viana do Castelo (I’ve taken a photo of each of them – though they all look the same 😉).
But I must also add: Wow, you’ve really put those kilometres in these last few months – I’m impressed!
Urgh. My feet burn 👣🔥🔥 after my walks despite new shoes.
Ohhh 😊😊 thanks for the reminder!! How could I have forgotten those windmills…?? They were gorgeous. I think I photographed just about all of them too. 😁😁 Oh I did love my Camino. My younger sister and I are planning on walking the route again in September 2022. She cycled the French route some years ago, so walking will be a real departure for her. But I’m delighted to walk it again.
Yeah, it’s those challenges that keep me pushing…I’m quite lazy and would rather be snoozing or reading…but my app reminds me when I’m behind my target 😆😆 I’m going to have to give it a name…something bitchy, because it nags me 😁😁
What a wonderful opportunity to walk the Camino with your sister! Yes, I think cycling and walking would be two totally different experiences – well, that is something special to look forward to 🌸.
Definitely looking forward to it. She’s really keen to see how different it is compared to her cycling experience.