We woke to an overcast and drizzling morning. It was very softly drizzling and everything was wet.

The day got better as the clouds blew away and after a late breakfast we got the ebikes off their rack and set off to explore the campground some more. We passed by David and Anni’s motorhome and called in. They’d had a late breakfast too. They are both very happy with their motorhome and it really is a lovely one with a great layout. It has everything they could want including self levelling legs, a washing machine and David has added a rack on the back for his little step through motorbike.

We rode down to the main picnic area and wow! It’s lovely there. There’s a boat ramp, picnic tables, BBQ’s and the people from Southern Cross Kayaking were there with their kayaks and Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs) for rent. They have a great setup with a ute and a trailer to carry all their kayaks and SUPs. We had a chat with them and continued on.

One of the walks in the campground is through a collection of huge rocks. There is indigenous rock art just visible in places.

We met David and Anni on the motorbike on our way back to camp and arranged to meet up in half an hour to go for a bush walk after lunch.

We spent the next hour walking from the campground to the Dam Wall. The dam was built in the 1920’s to provide a water supply for the Kandos Cement Works. The concrete wall must have been built well as it is still holding back the river. The dam wall is not a large one but it is holding back a lot of water.

While Rich was standing there admiring the view he spied a 6’ long, fat, brown snake moving a couple of metres away. Rich just stood still and let the snake go about its day. It looked like a very healthy snake and it slithered away across the rocks and out of sight. I saw it too but wasn’t quick enough to catch a photo.

The views on the walk were spectacular. At one point we’d climbed to the top of one of the pagoda hills and the view down into the valley with the water below was picturesque. I love the gorgeous variety of flowering native plants. Let no one tell you that natives are not colourful. Some of the walk was challenging with many steps, a ladder and even a chain to help pull you up the rock face. It was not an easy stroll in the bush. On some of it you were scrambling over rocks.

Back at camp I prepared my new camp oven (that I had received for my birthday) to cook a pork roast. Rich got the fire going to make a good coal bed for the camp oven to sit on. All the veggies were peeled, ready to cook and I had gravy and broccoli bake as well.

I made a cheese platter with goodies we’d bought at the Cheese Co in Mudgee and we enjoyed a drink whilst waiting for David and Anni to arrive.

They duly arrived and the four of us enjoyed a delicious roast dinner (with crackling) sitting outside under our awning. David brought an old St Hugo red to share and it was beautiful. Lots of laughs and enjoyable conversation was had. That’s the life!