Mintaro

We finally had a couple of very light rain showers at Auburn, but a lot more is needed. Our lunch venue today was not pet friendly, so the pooches had to stay home in their respective RVs. We kept our critters under camera surveillance and monitored the temperature in the Bushtracker.

We drove to Polish Hill to eat at the Bush DeVine Winery Restaurant at Pauletts. As we drove up the driveway and around a roundabout, followed by Mr Eversoimportant, who entered the roundabout from the wrong direction and parked where he effectively occupied two spaces. He rushed through his wine and meal, without having any conversation with his partner, then hurrying out. Good riddance! We enjoyed the view across the valley, and the duck dish received high praise.

Just before we were leaving the restaurant, a couple came to our table and said they recognised us – they are Roadies who did one trip with Aussie Road Crew. They arrived at Auburn this morning and are camped next to us. They are nice people who are self-confessed wine wankers. They are going on a bus trip over several days around the wine regions staying in motels. They have arranged somewhere to leave their caravan.

Our drive home was via historic Mintaro, where I walked around the many historic buildings, while the others stopped at Reilly’s Winery for wine tasting.

Most of the old buildings were built in the mid 1800s, and many are showing signs of deterioration.

Three churches were built on the hill, but two need a lot of attention.

Some buildings have been very well maintained or renovated. The first is the Institute building, the second is the 1856 Devonshire House, which provides BnB accommodation, and the third is the post office. The rear of the post office building has been transformed into luxury accommodation.

Several buildings are beyond restoration. The window opening still retains a sign indicating this first building was once occupied by a carpenter. The dry stone slate walls of the second building are in good condition, but it is unlikely it will ever get a replacement roof or be occupied. The slate is from a local quarry and was also used to build boundary fences in conjunction with other rocks.

Mintaro has a small population of just over 200 residents. The Magpie and Stump Hotel and Reilly’s Restaurant are the only dining options in the small town. There is no shop other than the post office.

There is a lawn bowls club, a decent playground for kids, and a football field that has green grass used by the Minman Sporting Club, which attracts football and netball players from Mintaro and nearby Manoora.

Back at our Auburn camp, I took Bluey for a run on the tennis courts. He wanted his little friend to play chasey, but Bluey was too boisterous, so I just threw his ball for him to fetch.