Up earlyish as we’re booked in for the 9am morning Kayak tour. Liam and I know what to expect, but it will be new for Justine and Caitlin. So after introductions, orientation and setting up we get going. Initially it was going to be me and Caitlin, and Liam with Justine, but at the last minute the kids decide to go together (what could possibly go wrong).
It’s just the four of us and another family of 4 with two older girls. It seems they run a farm around Ilford, so not that far away.
We paddle a little under a k’ and then we all group together and Cindy gives a bit of a talk about the area’s geography and history, particularly the indigenous and early European interaction (never ends well). It seems a bit longer than last time and has Caitlin asking Justine, “When do we start Kayaking again????”
I’ve got to say the view here is sensational and it’s so quiet and peaceful just floating around here.
Finally, we paddle to the near the dam, we get out and walk 100mts or so to the dam wall and Cindy gives a bit of a talk about how it was built for the Kandos Cement works and a bit of the history. She also discusses the fires and floods that have hit this area over the last 5 year or more. Again, Cailtin is enthralled!
As per last time, we paddle back the full way in one go, with a brief stop for a photo op.
Lunch and then afterwards we take a quick trip into Rylstone, I haven’t tried the bakery here, so you know… needs must…. I nether have bothered, it’s not that the pies where bad, they were pretty good, only I’m sure they come from the Kandos Bakery as they were EXACTLY the same.
The kids spend some time in the retro record store. From here we drive the 7ks over to Kandos. We grab a bag of firewood and stop of at the IGA to get some supplies. Oddly while Rylstone is probably the bigger town the only supermarket is here in Kandos.
Before visiting the supermarket, we drop into the local charity shop. Justine is looking for some old Stephen King books that Liam wants to read. She had just about all of them, but gave them away years ago. Now we’re finding them near impossible to buy other than full price in fancy book stores.
We find some in the charity shop and another 2, including a hard to get one, in the Vinnies store. The max price was only $3, so a bargain.
With the combination of the wood from here, the stuff we brought with us and the bag from the servo, we get a great fire going, one of the best. I’m glad I got some extra wood, not only is the stuff here crap, but even though there would have been at least 4 cubic metres of wood a couple of days ago, the bin is now empty. Wow
While the family eventually go in for a movie, I stay outside and enjoy the fire. The fire is a little frustrating, as I like to fiddle with a fire, but this is burning so well, there’s no need……
Fantastic cover photo!