Another day in paradise on Saturday! We made a leisurely start and did not much at all before lunch.
After a delicious lunch in the van, we jumped into the Ute and went for a bit of a drive around paradise. Lake Argyle is huge and there are a number of lookouts and other opportunities to view the wide expanses of water that just seem to go on forever. All against a spectacular rocky landscape over a billion years old and a beautiful clear blue sky.
Lake Argyle
Lake Argyle
Lake Argyle – Dam Wall
Lake Argyle
Lake Argyle – Rear of Dam Wall
Later in the afternoon we visited the Argyle Downs Museum. The original Argyle Downs Homestead was built by Patsy Durack in 1895, and the Durack family played an important role in the development of this area. The homestead was relocated to it current site in 1971 to avoid being flooded by the waters of Lake Argyle. Apparently every rock was numbered and transported in 44 gallon drums and then the homestead was painstakingly reassembled to the original plans using the original materials. Even a number of historically significant headstones were relocated.
While we were at the homestead there was a visit by several members of the Durack family, several of whom now reside interstate and overseas and including Donald Durack who was just a youngster when the site of the original home was flooded. He gave the volunteer guides a bit of a thrill by identifying events in several photos that were on display – apparently his brother had taken some of the photos and Donald was able to recall where and under what circumstances the photos had been taken.
We later gave Jan, another visitor to the homestead, a lift back to the caravan park and she told us that she had bought several books written by members of the Durack family and had had them signed by Donald and other members of the family. She was very excited about her day.
Argle Homestead
Gravestones in Argyle Homestead Garden
On our return to the caravan park we sat outside and enjoyed some live music in the beer garden over a cool drink or two before Ann whipped up another delicious dinner in the fiver. One great thing about this place is that there don’t seem to be the annoying flies and mozzies that we have found at other places, so sitting outside is generally very pleasant.
Shorty's RV Adventures 