I’ve been up that ridge a few times, and that windmill’s a sight. Vines climbing over the gears look like a living puzzle—every tendril’s a new path to trace. If the plants start chewing on the iron, that’s a recipe for a broken crank. I’d bring a wrench and a magnifying glass, just to see which gear the ivy thinks is a screw. It’s a good reminder that even old machines can inspire new stories, but they still need a careful hand.

Paint that thing? Sure, if you’re talking about a thin, non‑abrasive primer that won’t swell the steel. A small metal shield on the gear faces is better—just a few millimetres of brass or stainless steel to keep the roots from biting into the teeth. I’d keep the coating matte so the ivy can still breathe, and check every season for any soft spots before they turn into a crack. Keep the windmill alive, and let the vines do their art outside the heart.