Sunday, July 1, 2012

OUR WORLD - Mintaro


Our last trip in autumn was to the tiny, historic town of Mintaro
renowned for it's slate. Perfect, huge sheets of slate from 
here were sent all over the world for full sized billiard tables.

The township dates from 1854 and we stayed in a house of a 
similar vintage as our historic house on Mt.Lofty, that we 
lost to the 1983 bushfires. 

We felt so at home here with the garden the same age as ours that was 
mainly destroyed.


Above, the street view of the part os the house we stayed in and
 below, a view from our private verandah.


Wide slate steps and lavender hedges, water features and autumn 
leaves


8' high windows with 'heritage gree' shutters


and plenty of splendid colour to ramble through or sit under.


The glory vine on our verandah came complete with a bird's nest,


late roses still bloomed and enhanced the view across the street.


Our bedroom was sumptuous and in period, befitting us 
golden oldies.


A luxurious bathroom complete with spa-bath was a sheer delight,
especially as all piped water was smooth as silk rainwater.


The kitchen was a dream as well with a fire that just needed one 
match to light and plentiful wood supplied. 
A bottle of wine and box of quality chocolates welcomed us
and fixings for ample cooked breakfasts graced the fridge.

Quaint cottages littered the back streets


and everywhere was evidence of slate mining.


A most restful and really delightful stay off the main tourist track,
a perfect place to be transported back in to a more gracious time.

31 comments:

  1. Oh,this place looks lovely. I don't think I would want to leave once I got there.I am so happy for you to have had this time away.

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  2. What a delightful post and look at your world, Arija! Wonderful captures as always! I would love to visit there! Hope you have a great week!

    Sylvia

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  3. To think that the slate in our full-sized pool table back home in SA may come from your world, Arija. What a peaceful place. Thanks for sharing. blessings, Jo

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  4. What a gloriously, wonderful place to visit. It looks so peaceful and the private verandah, what a special place. I enjoyed the little visit with you. have a very sweet week my dear friend. I have missed you, but am trying to get back in the game a bit more. Hugs~

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  5. Oh, I can see how you would be enchanted with that lovely place! I'm so glad you enjoyed that stay.

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  6. Must have felt a bit like going home.

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  7. What a beautiful place to visit.

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  8. What a beautiful place!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  9. What a beautiful place to stay! Lovely.

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  10. What a wonderful place. I loved it. Thank you for showing me around. Enjoy your stay.

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  11. What a beautiful place inside and out. The veranda is my favorite and I would love to see the bird that was in the nest. Lovely captures, thanks for sharing your world.

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  12. What a wonderful place to visit.
    Beautiful shots.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Mette

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  13. It is a beautiful world through your fantastic photos!

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  14. What a great getaway spot, Arija. The town looks quaint and charming - would that describe us, too, I wonder... Hope you had a good relaxing soak (with some wine and chocolates) in that tub!

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  15. It looks beautiful.

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  16. Terrific pics and wonderful narration.
    Love the vine with the nest. I could sit under there forever!

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  17. It looks reaaly rustic compared to the Australian towns. But i am more amazed at your description of the slate being exported for billiard tables, those are amazing.

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  18. Beautiful place to stay, Arija and I'm glad you can look back at the happy memories (mostly). Thinking about your loss in that bush fire is particularly poignant in light of the Colorado fires (where we just came from).

    The history of this place was very interesting to read and your pictures are lovely (as always).

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  19. Hi there - the slate walls look a lot like some of the ones in the English Lake District. I really like the way they are used in buildings.

    Although it’s a coincidence my kids did do a trapeze skills course the day after going to Circus Oz.

    Stewart M

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  20. Looks like a perfect trip to the quaint-looking but charming town with nice weather, colored leaves and flowers, gorgeous house both inside and outside. I hope you could unwind and relax yourself, arija.

    Yoko

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  21. What an utterly magical place. Lovely shots.

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  22. There is nothing more soothing than a well-maintained authentic heritage home with modern plumbing. Looks like you had a restful time in this lovely home. :)

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  23. Sounds like a great place, nice photos.

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  24. Lovely images folks and slates are pretty big in the Lancaster Pennsylvania area. And some of the Amish like to paint them for sale, and I have some on my own walls at home.
    Happy July 4 to everyone and Id like to invite everyone to my post "Lancaster on 4 wheels part 2 this coming Thursday. Richard

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  25. Mintaro seems to be a beautiful, restful place! But I bet the bath is not mid 1800's style. Some modern upgrades are certainly appreciated.

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  26. Arija, this place is so picturesque! I love it! I would love to visit a place like this! I hope you had a relaxing time!

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  27. Dear Arija, thank you so much for your kind visit. I am sorry to hear about your husband; it is not easy to cope with Alzheimers and also hard to watch the deterioration. I am sure your garden is still wonderful even when it might not be so manicured anymore. Th birds still love it as I see from your pictures. Peter is 80 this year, and the garden does not get smaller. We have planted all the lower gardens into a rainforest, no mowing anymore, other wise it is hard to cope. I hope you can stay in your garden, perhaps you have to let it ramble and enjoy it this way. All my best wishes go with you and I am thinking of you. T♥

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  28. Oh my Arija. This is a beautiful place to rest. I would have not wanted to come back home I'm afraid. Thanks for the tour.

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  29. All shots are great but I especially like the back light on the red vine on the second.

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