Cementa13
1-4 February 2013
A celebration of an rural industrial town
Lia, myself, Miss Em, two bikes a bike trailer and assorted bundles were taxied to Kandos in the Cementamobile ably captained by Georgina Pollard. We arrived in Kandos after a long drive through the hills of brown after passing over the mountains of blue.
Katoomba was swarming with touristas
We stopped en route to obtain supplies and to spread the good
word about Cementa 13. A fortuitous visit at the Katoomba Cultural
Centre resulted in running into, almost literally, the Exhibitions
Manager, Sarah Gurich, who ushered us in to meet the curatorial team.
They had only the day before found out that Cementa was happening and
were keen for the latest update.
We approached Kandos on the Bylong Valley Way. Dropping over the
ridge and into view of Kandos the imposing scale and location of the
Cement works was immediately apparent. It is a commanding presence at
the foot of the Coomber Melon Range.
The cement works at Kandos. Baldy in the background.
As soon as having settled we set to work cycling through the town to get our bearings, lead by Georgina and Emma.
Seeking shade on the western approach to the cement works
We joined Dave and Ed who hosted the New Year’s celebrations, a
convivial affair with locals and friends joining the Kangaroos and
Christmas Beatles for a toast to the new year. Only hours before Dave had lead
me through bush trails to the Carwell Creek camping area. You
wont find it mentioned in the tourist literature but it recently
featured in a Paddy Palin Rogaining event. Recommended for anyone with a
passion for, and the right equipment for off-road, dirt track
bicycling.
On New Years Day I set out for a solo visit to Rylstone, a mere 7 km
down a purpose built, pebblecrete and bitumen cycle path that joins the
two towns.
Well used or well worn, a European styled separated cycle path is a welcome site.
Leaving Kandos I passed the Shell service
station sporting the largest array of solar panels outside of the Beyond
Petroleum aegis. Passed the heated olympic swimming pool, still
undergoing renovations, and the 18 hole golf course. A few kilometres
further on is the local recycling centre.
Ushering in the energy economy (the exchange economy a thing of the past)
One
of the many cafes that greets you Louee St, Rylstone. The Rylstone
Hotel, in the reflection, offers ‘safe bicycle storage’ as part of its
marketing.
Arriving in Rylstone I was met with a familiar vision and motto –
‘Grow Old Disgracefully’. A wry smile crosses my lips as the Ulysses
Club motto brings to mind Damien Hirst and the Groucho club.
A few days before we had made the journey into Rylstone to peruse
local shops and visit the venue for my paintings, Number Fourty Seven,
47 Louee St.
Also of interest was the slab hut, being lovingly restored as a old
wares shoppe. Dating from the 1850s the walls are lined with fragments
of ancient news paper and Victorian era wallpaper. Earliest date I saw
was 1872, but there could be earlier.
Oh, the halcyon days before Fukushima, but not before Monte Bello and Mosaic 2.
Victorian era wall paper fragments on split iron bark slabs eerily redolent of western desert painting
I felt compelled to help out with George’s plans for the garden at 5
Jacques. Before leaving Rylstone we visited the Mitre 10 to invest in
some tools, and seeds and spent the rest of the day pulling weeds, and
filling peat pots.
Cycle tourists crossed our path often during the day. NINE at the Bridge View Hotel.
On another visit, when Alex had joined us, we revisited Rylstone and
29 NINE 99 in the historic Bridge View Hotel. The Bridge View was the
location for filming the Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith, but these days
better known for the famous yum cha and green tea experience. NINE as it
is know is also a participant in the festival.
After lunch we ambled through the ‘Thyme Out Garden’ at the rear of
the hotel, part of the Rylstone Cottage Museum, established to
encourage sustainable community gardens in the region.
Gorgeous George and the breakfast room.
‘History from below’ links:
Mudgee District Local History http://www.mudgeehistory.com.au/index.html
Rylstone Kandos and Surrounds http://www.rylstone.com/index.php
Visitor Guide http://www.rylstone.com/pdf/RylstoneKandos_Guide2011.pdf
Mudgee Cycle Maps http://www.bikemuster.com/docs/Cycle_Mudgee_Region_Booklet.pdf
Looks to be a fascinating choice for a day trip outside of Sydney, they have overnight facilities? Anything out of the city is got to beat the local price – so I think I'll take a trip out to Ryeland myself. Beautiful photos!
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