BluesFest

A week or so after our trip to Byron Bay it was Easter and BluesFest time.

BluesFest was 30 this year, a music festival held over Easter weekend attracting all manner of artists from all over the world. I have always thought about going, Lauren decided she was going this year and bought two tickets for one day.

We dithered about it for so long that we ran out of time to find any accommodation so we drove down for one day only. It meant that some people we would have liked to see weren’t playing on the day we would be there, but there was still a pretty impressive line-up.

We were quite unprepared for the conditions – nothing rainproof and completely unsuitable footwear. It poured, several monsoonal type downpours. Mostly we were lucky, and were undercover in marquees listening to music as the rain teemed down outside.

 I'm with Her

 Arlo Guthrie

 Norah Jones

We wandered about the market stalls in between and by the end of the evening (well not even the end) we were both reminded that festivals were not our favourite types of events. Why do people go to these events if they just want to talk to their friends and drink instead of enjoying the performance. Each to their own – and I’m not against their behaviour; I just don’t see what the point is. The jostling and disregard for the artist got to us in the end and we left part way through one act which we had been looking forward to and completely missing a headline act or two which were scheduled for later.

Walking back to the car we weren’t so lucky with the rain and got drenched, but at least we had had fun (for the most part) and could look forward to hot showers when we got home.

We bought a place

It’s official – and I got a job

They say that everything happens in threes, or that everything happens at once.

We will have to go with the last one because I am sure there were just two things. Before our trip to New Zealand, maybe as early in the year as January, we had started to consider jumping into the property market. But the whole concept was a bit foreign and daunting.

Still, we went to several open homes and surfed real estate sites online. We had a vague idea where we thought we would like to be but were open to all options. A couple tempted us but we chickened out and bided our time. We weren’t in any big rush really as we still had a few months to run on our rental lease. (although the screaming and shouting from one of our neighbours was taking the shine off staying there too long).

Anyway, one rainy day (we do get rain here sometimes) we arranged to meet an agent to view a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom unit. We were instantly impressed. So much so that we decided to bite the bullet and make an offer.

BINGO !!

Then of course there was the building & pest inspection to wait on, breaking our lease, finding solicitors and navigating the finance maze.

All the while this was happening I was still applying for a new role since the last one had ended as we went to New Zealand. On the Thursday before Easter I met with a new recruitment agency, this was also the date which our contract would become unconditional – so a lot going on to keep on top of. The last thing the consultant asked me was whether I was okay to get a call on the day, to start a role immediately.

“We don’t get many of them,” she said, “but we have had a couple in the last few weeks.” I assured her that I was fine with that and off I went.

More about what we got up to over Easter in another post. On Tuesday morning though, I was messing about, checking online job boards and having a second coffee when the phone rang.

You guessed it ! A temp assignment, 2 weeks and could I start today ?

That made me get my skates on – and abandon a couple of plans I had had for later in the day ! But great timing.

Byron, crossing the border

We went for a drive to the GC to check out a shop we had heard about in Burleigh Heads and then have some lunch. Then since we were halfway there, we decided to go a bit further south to Byron Bay – just for a look. It wasn’t a beach day, but it was good driving weather; not too hot.

Over the border into Northern New South Wales.

We had a wander around the shops with the crowds of locals, other roadtrippers and tourists. Plenty of people were still on the beach catching what might be the last of the seasons warmth. Some were even swimming. We just walked and watched.

A Call to Prayer

Christchurch

Times and dates etched in our minds forever.

February 22, 2011 12.51

March 15, 2019 13.40

Compassion, Empathy, Forgiveness, Healing, Understanding, Acceptance, Peace, Love.

“E papaki tū ana ngā tai o maumahara ki runga o Ōtautahi.

(The tides of remembrance flow over Christchurch today.)

Haere mai tātou me te aroha, me te rangimārie, ki te whānau nei, e ora mārire ai anō rātau, e ora mārire ai anō, tātou katoa.

(So let us gather with love, in peace, for this family, so that they may truly live again, so that we all may truly live again.)” 

extract from the speech given by Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand 29 March 2019 at the Hagley Park Memorial and Call to Prayer. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/29/jacinda-arderns-speech-at-christchurch-memorial-full-transcript

السلام عليكم

As-salaam Alaikum.

Peace be upon you.

Another whirlwind

Quick trip

Because our trip back to New Zealand in October seemed so pushed for time and rushed we decided to do it all over again. Only thing is, it became a bit the same – not enough days.

Air New Zealand for some unexplained reason changed our flight from late afternoon to early morning which just messed up the plans we had had to do things before leaving. The night before we had been to Hanson’s String Theory at QPAC (Queensland performing Arts Centre) and it was amazing. But having to rush home and make sure we were packed for a 5.30am departure from home just took the edge off the whole evening.

We made it though and before we headed north to Blenheim we had a quick look around Christchurch and Lyttelton at the changes, and also at some things which are still yet to change, and caught up with a couple of friends. Then we hit the road next morning, stopping for the occasional photograph and then coffee at Cheviot, eventually making it to Blenheim mid afternoon.

We managed to catch up with people and gave ourselves an extra day in Wellington too. But the week still ended up feeling like a half visit when you factor in the half day travel at each end to get to and from the airport in Christchurch.

When we had booked flights last year I was dismayed to learn that my favourite Canadian rocker, Bryan Adams, was going to be touring Australia and New Zealand at that exact time. Typical, I had thought, I will miss out on seeing him. But that dismay turned to joy when I looked at the dates – no show in Brisbane at all BUT a show in Wellington the week which we would be in New Zealand. WIN. Then tickets – and as luck would have it my friend Jill had bought two but hadn’t got as far as finding a friend to go with her. What a great night it was too.

Then, on the Friday afternoon while filling in time, waiting for the flight back to Blenheim came the unfolding news about the massacre in Christchurch. First thoughts were to my friends who lived there and others who had travelled there that day.

Were they safe ?

Why Christchurch?

What the H  E  double hockey sticks ?!!

Those last days in Aotearoa were a little sombre, people were numb and outraged. Still, some made racist jokes and didn’t hear the irony in their speech. Sure, some of us have different beliefs or ideals but they have never come between us outwardly before; fuelled by bigotry and xenophobia. Everyone gets along with everyone – right ? Extremism has no place on the planet and definitely is not welcome in this small island nation. This is New Zealand, Aotearoa, we are better than that. Love is Love. We Are One. You Are Us.

We left early Sunday to drive to Christchurch and that plane. Stopping on the way to see the seals at Ohau Point in their new, redeveloped post earthquake home and a bit further on stopped again, captivated by the largest pod of dolphins I have ever seen from the shore. A fellow observer loaned us his binoculars and said that the day before there had been whales doing the same. There must have been some mighty fine dining out there on the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

We had enough time when we got to Christchurch to take flowers and lay them along the fence of the Botanic Gardens where people of all ages, walks of life and nationality walked and stood in quiet thought. Supporting each other and those around them. News crews lined the streets reporting on the atmosphere and talking to people. We tore ourselves away, feeling a little like we should be staying to help in some way like we felt leaving Blenheim after the 2016 earthquake.

And then we were home.

Crikey !

So then I got a job.

It was a temp role, 500 people all at once to assist in the recovery after the Townsville floods. What a system and organisation ! There are many countries which should look at this model and find ways to implement it in the event of natural disasters. Holy cow. It lasted about 4 weeks or my team did, smaller teams probably stayed on for a couple of weeks after that tidying up loose ends. It was shift work 5 on 2 off and I worked the afternoon/evening shift. It was a great bunch of people from all walks of life and with such a variety of skills and a willingness to help out.

My team even had a couple of team lunches – the luxury of starting after lunch that the morning team missed out on.

It was fun though and I missed it when it ended. The money too with all those penal rates !

On one day off we went to Australia Zoo, the brainchild of Steve Irwin "The Crocodile Hunter" and a legacy continued by his family. I was technically just the driver as Lauren and her visiting Welly friend had planned to go then discovered they would lose most of the day travelling on buses and trains.

If you haven’t been – you should go. Mid week is best I reckon – if you can do it – and not school holidays. Enjoy the photos – there are lots #sorrynotsorry

On the way back we took a detour for fish and chips by the sea to catch the sunset at Woody Point. All the seagulls wanted in on the action too !