One of the great things about travelling in Australia, apart from the wonderful colours of a never ending blue sky and the parched red-earth of the Outback, are the characters you meet.
And of course there is no better place to meet them than at the local pub.
On our travels we enjoy dropping into the “local” as you’ll most likely find a warm welcome and usually the publican will be a wealth of knowledge on the area…
Shindy’s Inn, situated in the small township of Louth, is one place you are sure to get a warm welcome! Centrally located on the banks of the Darling River it is the focal point of this small community, and it is little wonder why. The owners, Dave and Cath Marett, make all visitors feel at home just like they would a local.
Founded around 1859 by Thomas Andrew Matthews, Louth was a stopping off point for the river boat crews plying their trade along the Darling River.
Thomas, or “TA” as he was known, was married to Mary who passed away at a relatively early age in 1886, and to mark her passing he commissioned a monument be made from granite and with a large cross at the top.
What makes this monument quite special is that on the anniversary of her death, the cross, when viewed from the home they lived in, shines brightly from the reflection of the setting sun. And at other times of the year this extra-ordinary phenomenon can be viewed from varying positions around the town.
Apart from being quite an engineering achievement and not to mention it had to be made in Adelaide, well over a thousand kilometres away and transported by paddle-steamer on the Darling River back in the 1880’s, it has an ethereal feel to it.
Recently we camped alongside the river just a short walk over the bridge to Shindy’s Pub.
Just ahead of sunset Dave took us to the place where we could view the glowing cross do what it has done every other day for long over a century – it shone brightly, so bright that it was almost difficult to look at it.
To see is to believe, as they say, and we stood quietly during those few minutes before sunset, seduced by the hypnotic flicker of light radiating from the cross…
Sometimes you just need to “scratch” the surface a little in these out of the way places just like a prospector would searching for those little glints of gold. And the rewards can often be far greater than a finding a nugget at the bottom of the pan!
So be sure to drop by “The Shindy” if you are in the area and say hello to Dave and Cath.
And perhaps in the golden hue of a setting sun you can drink a toast to a remarkable man, Thomas “TA” Matthews as the love of his life casts her eternal glow over an ancient land…
Photos: Baz – The Landy
(updates a previous story)
Xplore 
Simply beautiful. Thanks for sharing this wonderful tribute.
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That is a beautiful lighting phenomenon with the cross you captured. Thank you for sharing the story and the photos!
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That is the amazing thing about the cross, it is in granite, but shines just prior to sunset, but you need to stand in the precise point each day to see it, culminating at the door of their home (no longer there) on the anniversary of her death!
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Beautiful! Love continues to shine through times.
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Always will…
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Great spot – I was there 2 weeks ago and had an amazing time. Loved Shindy’s Inn. Great pub!
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A great spot Dave, keeps me going back!
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What a beautiful tribute to his lost love!
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Great, isn’t it!
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Wonderful story! I have heard of this cross before, but you have great photos there to really show it off. I’d love to travel along the Darling, but I don’t think I will get the opportunity this side of death!! Love the Real Outback!
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Yeah, off you go, a great place to visit, although the Darling is down quite a lot presently.
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Oh Baz, what a special and beautiful sight you got to see, thank you for sharing.
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Thanks sweetie!
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what a beautiful and romantic story. love can be found where it’s least expected and this is a tribute to that. beth
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Crikey, ain’t that the truth, I married the girl next door, literally…!
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and i married the boy across the street ) and then it went bad )
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Well I hope it has looked up for you since!
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absolutely, i’ve never been happier )
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