This morning we headed over to the Clare Valley. After a coffee stop at Auburn, we drove to Mintaro to visit Martindale Hall. This is Australia's very own 'Downton Abbey'. It is a Georgian Mansion constructed in 1879 and has been completely preserved as a 'living museum'.
It feels like the original owners (and their 14 servants) have just stepped out. How the idle rich lived in Australia! The owner described his occupation as 'gentleman'! This is my new career aspiration.
We explored the mansion via a self guided tour. I found it interesting that the 14 servants had flushing toilets downstairs, but residents and guests upstairs had commodes which they would summon servants to empty once their ablutions were completed. A crappy job!
This is the main entrance hall - stunning
This is the ultimate boy's room, otherwise known as the smoking room. Full of the owners' travel souvenirs, but nothing cheap and nasty here. Not shown is one of the few sets of samurai armour outside Japan in private ownership.
After Martindale Hall we went on to the Skillogalee vineyard for a relaxing lunch and some tasting and purchasing of quality wines.
From Skillogalee it's not far to Sevenhill, which is not just any vineyard. It was the very first winery in the Clare Valley being established by German Jesuits in 1851.
it has a really old feel to it - They are still harvesting from the original vines that are now over 150 years old. The Jesuits still operate the vineyard as well as a retreat centre and church, which was built in 1875.
There is also a hand - excavated cellar and museum.
After purchasing a number of interesting fortified varieties, we headed back to Eudunda. A quick stroll around the town to investigate the old buildings and shops, and it was time to head back to our old PO to get warm and make dinner.
Love the 'dad' joke ��
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