Walk Report September 12.

Kyneton Daffodil Festival Walk.

 

It was an elite group of 9 that set off from the Quarry Reserve in Kyneton, to investigate the Sculpture Park, before joining the path along the Campaspe River, named by Major Thomas Mitchell, after Alexander the Great’s concubine, 

We stopped for morning tea at the 1936, swimming pool weir, where the water was cascading over the wall, next to the bluestone buttresses of the old footbridge to the railway station. We then entered the Botanic Gardens, Est. 1858, to be greeted by swathes and patches of glorious daffodils of several varieties, that continued throughout the gardens, in keeping with the town’s 10 day Daffodil Festival.

Lunch was taken in the sunshine at the toilet, picnic and playground area, after which we further explored the gardens before exiting at the 1936 Commemorative Gates, onto Mollison St. Entries in the Festival Scarecrow competition were to be seen in several front yards as we made our way to the historic, Old Auction House, with its arts studios, shop and gallery, to view the Daffodil Festival Art and Photography Prize Exhibition.

After our perusal and purchases, we walked to, then along  Ebdon St., with its many historic buildings, to

Piper St., where we decided coffee and cake was the order of the day, so we indulged at Duck Duck Goose and Larder, one of many dining options in the vicinity.

As we strolled along Piper St., towards our cars, some of us popped into the Stockroom Contemporary  ArtSpace, in the Old Butter Factory, to view a very different exhibition, before most of us took the rather pretty drive back to Ballarat, arriving at 3.00pm.

This was a most pleasant walk of nature, history and culture, made even more enjoyable by the group who participated. Many thanks to Marlene, who stepped in as Whip.

And many thanks to Helen McD for a very enjoyable walk and day out.