Most of the slate (except the one on that spectacular pool table) at the fabulous Martindale Hall came from just down the road. The Mintaro mine is Australia's longest continual mine. Since at least the 1860s it has been mined and harvested for its slate. Mintaro slate can be mined in very large pieces. All of Adelaide's slate sidewalks come from here. This whole is an older one with the current works across the road.
Slate contains a bunch of moisture and must dry before it is polished and cut. Here is the slate drying on racks.
The Clare Valley is known for their wine. So we had to visit some wineries. This one was run by Jesuit priests. The architecture really reminded me of St. Ignatius High School where my brother went. Standing on their property, you felt as if you could be anywhere...Europe, the US, or even South Australia.
They had a cellar full of old casks and a small historic museum. The cutest thing was the kitty-cat that was cured up in a basket of hay right by the fire. He really was a warm ball of fur.
We took a long walk around around the town of Mintaro checking out the historic architecture. Many of the structures that were houses were occupied, but others appeared deserted. This church was Episcopal and had a smaller, earlier church built next door.
Must come back to the Clare Valley!
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