16-MAY-2016
Mystery tour on a country road
After the long drive to reach Melrose we decided to have a quiet day and
opted for a "Mystery Tour" to see some of the rural scenes on offer
close to the town. This of course included a dirt road as seen in this image.
16-MAY-2016
Old house in the main street
Besides this nicely cared for house, there were quite a few derelict old houses
that weren't quite to the stage of being ruins and perhaps will also be
revamped and useful in the years to come.
16-MAY-2016
Mount Remarkable Hotel
Town meeting place. We had a meal here on our last night in Melrose.
This hotel was built and first licensed in 1857 by Thomas Moran who had previously been a member of the mounted police.
It is located in the main street and has changed little from the original 1857 design with its decorated balcony and
simple corrugated iron roof.
16-MAY-2016
Blundstone's Blacksmith Shop
Bluey Blundstone's Blacksmith shop was built in 1865. The complex has been lovingly and authentically restored
and in addition to being a working smithy where the present owners produce items-to-order at the forge.
The smithy's shop is now equipped with historically accurate tools and machinery.
The work area is seven square metres with five-metre high ceilings.
The thick stonewalls are constantly interrupted with doorways, a window and shelving - all original.
At the rear of the workshop is the family's humble pug and pine dwelling.
To one side is a fully enclosed shoeing area separating the workshop from a large stable.
The stable has now been incorporated into the residence.
The property was accepted onto the State Heritage Register in 1992.
This old building was in the main street of Melrose and is still in the process of being
restored, though we noticed one end seems to be ready for activity as a B & B/cafe.
15-MAY-2016
Where we stayed this time.
We took over 3 nice units this year... (2 couples and a single) our friends for
50 years. It was a great base point for doing some mooching around. These units
were over the road from the image I posted yesterday.
16-MAY-2016
A view taken on a walk around the little town.
Melrose is a rather pretty town with the looming Mount Remarkable as a background that
blocks out the sun rather early on a late autumn afternoon. Here is a country home
nestled in a garden with space behind to have a horse if required, or room for a dog
to roam untethered. We think farmers move into the town when they decide to retire
and let the family take over running the farm.