Tamworth 2018: Part 2 - First Few Days in Tamworth

Day 4 - First Full Day In Tamworth

Shirley, Stuart & Jan

Shirley was one of the first people in to the showers around 7:15 for a good wash of her hair. The weather was lovely as we ate breakfast outside. Shirley had the clothes in the washing machine before some of our friends appeared. A bit amazing, really.

We enjoyed the slow start to the day. After a coffee we split into two cars and headed into Tamworth for a reconnaissance trip. Jan, Stuart, Shirley and I headed one direction and the other went elsewhere.

We checked out the location of a few venues that we intend to visit then drifted to the south western part of Tamworth for the Rodeo location. We were advised that the $1200 worth of tickets could be picked up at the Golden Guitar. So there we went and were happy to get the tickets in our hand.

Stuart was happy to get a photo with Chad Morgan. We visited "The Pub" and discussed tactics for getting there.

Stuart & Chad Morgan

It was time for shopping so we visited a shopping centre for lunch and a few items that needed to be bought (stamps, USB drive, soap, salad).

We then drove into the heart of Tamworth and visited a few more venues to gain information of artists at those sites.

We drifted back to base and were pleasantly surprised to learn that we had a pub near the front gate of the caravan park. We were so relieved to get here yesterday that we did not realise that it existed.

Soon it was time for a swim and we found out that the water was pretty chilly and took a few minutes to get accustomed to. However it was refreshing and soon led to some relaxation and a chilled drink (read: the start of happy hour).

The blokes chatted and talked rubbish while the ladies did some research for the next couple of days. Soft and blue cheese accompanied the chilled drinks.

In no time at all it was time for dinner and a BBQ was the order of the day. Shirley reminded me that sunset was close and I scored the following photo.

Sunset from Behind the Kelly Caravan

Darkness moved in as we enjoyed dinner and the peace (and the music from Stuart's car). From somewhere a bottle of port emerged.

Dinner Time with Friends

It was soon time for bed and we broke camp.

Day 5 - Second Day In Tamworth

It was another lovely start to the day with a forecast top of 39. David showed off his local resident - maybe a moth.

While most of us ate breakfast David painted Wendy's toes - quite an impressive feat.

David Showing His Skills

After a slow start the four guys did a reconnaissance trip to work out whether we should drive or take the bus to the rodeo. The former was the popular decision.

We all then caught the 11:24 bus to the centre of Tamworth via the entertainment centre and the rodeo location. After a stroll we found the R M Williams shop and left a few $ behind.

It was then time for a coffee. However seven of us chose milk shakes instead. See photos below.

Four milk shakes and Stuart's new Akubra

Three milk shakes and David's new canvas hat

The bus took us back to camp for lunch and a relax. It was already over 30 degrees.

The pool soon beckoned and soon after Heather & Robert arrived.

At 4:30 we caught the bus into the middle of Tamworth for the Festival Opening Concert. It was a free concert in a park. We were lucky enough to get shady spots in temperatures around the mid 30's.

Concert Stage

The Gang at the Opening Concert

For the next three hours (from 7pm) we were entertained by up-and-coming artists like Simply Bushed, Tim Scanlon, Jenny Mitchell, Paul Costa, Greta Ziller & Andrew Swift, Troy Kemp, Rachel Fahim, Travis Collins and Judah Kelly.

Jenny Mitchell

At different times (before the concert started) we all wandered to the food stalls and selected something for dinner.

Of course we all had our chilled (non alcoholic) drinks.

Fireworks at the Opening Night Concert

The concert ended with a fireworks display.

There was a mad rush for the bus, but we were able to get on the first bus that headed back to our caravan park.

We all gathered for a nightcap and hit the sack soon after midnight.

Day 6 - Third Day In Tamworth

It started hot as we started to emerge around 8am. Again breakfast was mostly outside.

Around 10:30 the ten of us were split evenly over two cars for the 20 minute drive to “The Pub” to see and listen to “The Hillbilly Goats”. We were located in the bistro and soon had purchased coffee or cold drinks. Robert and Chris were the drivers.

The Hillbilly Goats started their gig at noon and soon after we were being superbly entertained.

The Hillbilly Goats

“Goat Man” played the mouth accordion, banjo, guitar, drums and the triangle. “Goat Lady” played the double bass and the bones. “Goat Buster” (another lady) played the fiddle and some form of electronic harmonica.

There was plenty of humour and great hillbilly music. One song that amused us was called “Keep your skillet greasy all the time”. Another song had the words:

Down in the cellar where she keeps the cider
I once saw a cockroach trying to ride a spider.

Goat Man

We bought a bistro lunch as the music played on. Most of us purchased a CD. It was a superb event. We departed into the heat around 2:45, and it was oppressive.

Big Al

Ninety minutes of relaxation followed as we waited for the 4:30 departure to the Rodeo.

We were inside the roofed rodeo arena soon after 5pm.

Robert and Chris were again the designated drivers and were not interested in the location of the bar. However a few of the others were.

Around 5:45 the resident clown started to play up to the crowd and get them into a responsive mood.

The serious part of the show started just after 6pm with a series of events where the principal aim of the competitor was to ride the animal for more than eight seconds. The animals were either bucking horses or bulls.

All of these photos are courtesy of David W.

AELEC Arena

There were junior events for boys aged 5 to 8 years and 9 to 14 years.

It was very entertaining, and often bruising for the riders. The two support guys on horses were great horsemen, in their protection of riders and catching the animal after rider and animal had parted company (sometimes enforced by the animal).

We skipped the very loud rock concert (Turk Tresize) and headed home around 8:30 pm. We then sat around the camp and generally agreed that it had been a great day.

Bed time was around 11pm.

Day 7 - The Sabbath

Again it started hot as we emerged around 8am. It was a slow start (again) as this was to be a free day, with no scheduled events locked in.

It became the day that we got into the full swing of the festival.

Six of us left on the 9:30 bus and four of us left on the 10:30 bus. Most of us went different directions but met up at the Atrium to listen to a couple of great acts. The second of those was a father (guitar), mother (Irish guitar), and two daughters each playing the fiddle. They provided great entertainment for 90 minutes.

After that the group went multiple directions, listened to different musicians and had lunch at different venues. It was a great ad-hoc day.

The photos tell the story....

Angus Gill

String Loaded Celtic Fiddle Band

Milkshake Time

Peel Street, Tamworth

Julie Oliver

We all arrived back at the caravan park at different times. Four of the group headed to the Oasis Hotel at the front of the caravan park for more music and a cold drink.

Happy hour sort of started around 5:30 as people drifted home from their respective corners of Tamworth. Stuart tuned his guitar and accompanied by Chris (holding music & words) and David (vocals) we scored a few tunes. People came from near and far - well two anyway.