Nanango

We are now at Broadwater Caravan Park in Southport on the Gold Coast after spending a wonderful weekend at Nanango Country Music Muster. Hours and hours of great music and Bush poetry. We set our chairs up at the main stage on Thursday evening and they remained in place until we left on Sunday morning. That way we could just move between performers and the van when we wanted to hear a particular musician. We ended up spending most of our time at the stage area as all the performers were very talented. They were quite varied in their styles and techniques from classic country to modern country, yodelling (not into this), to gospel. (P-I really enjoy the artists that specialise in Australian Bush Ballads, putting true and not quite Aussie stories to music).They had two bands to back the singers that swapped and changed as the music changed. An awesome pianist, energetic double bass player, steel guitars, fiddle player and multiple guitarists. Most just picked up their instruments and joined in playing without music. All very talented musicians, I enjoyed watching them as much as I enjoyed the singers.

We met some lovely people, just a few vans up from us. As we were walking back to our van, the gentleman was looking very perplexed outside his van. We asked if he had a problem and found he was trying to fit a new LED light. Didn’t have the right screwdriver and couldn’t work out what to do. Of course, Philip had the screw driver he needed, so supplied the tools and ended up fitting the light. Later that afternoon they came along and invited us up for a drink with them and their friends. We had a lovely evening and as it turned out he was the brother of one of the guest poets, Ray Essery. Alan and his wife made us very welcome and we left feeling like old friends, with an invitation to visit whenever we were passing their way.

Sunday morning at 7.30 we were over to listen to the Bush Poets, we love this section of the weekend. There are some very talented people who can get up on stage and recite a poem, tell a story or a joke ( Australiana) with great animation. Carol Heuchan was one of the guest poets. She recited, among other things, The Man From Snowy River. I have never heard this recited like she did it. So full of emotion, and expression. She almost had people in tears. Then she turned round and did a rap verse about a cockroach, which was very funny.

All these people are so talented.

Final tally for the vans at the event was 770. Not bad for a country event. We will be back.

We are now settled at the Broadwater Park for the next 4-5 days. This has turned out to be a great spot as well. Tomorrow is the start of the international Triathlon Event and the swim leg is just off the beach right in front of us and the bike leg is past the entrance to the park. Philip is rapt with our spot here as he can sit and watch all the boats coming and going along the Broadwater and spit area.

(P- Was “Browny” point time yesterday, Judith’s Mother and some friends were staying at Burleigh Heads, so we went down and had lunch with them. Was great to see the “Oldies”. This time I gave them some notice as a couple a years ago we called in unannounced at 7pm. Well oldies in Pajamas and Hair Rollers isn’t a pretty sight – 2 years on I am still recovering). It was great to catch up).

(P- As is normal ( well sometimes) I went for a bike ride this morning. I rode around to the Spit and return (about 12k). The scenery was great (I do enjoy marinas and waterways to ride around). Well I looked quite out of place in my old camping shorts and a Western Shirt! Evidently I was riding on a practice route for the Triathalon being held here. I was in top gear in my bike and felt as tho I was going backwards! Bikes, racing wheel chairs and even the odd runner was passing me on my Trusty Fold up Bike. I still had the upper advantage tho! I enjoyed the scenery whilst they were all heads down and bums up and could only see Bitumen! A far cry from my country town rides where everyone says hi and some even stop for a chat! )