Part 4 - Festival Wind Up & Trip Home

Day 13 - Saturday 27th January



We were all on the bus at 8:30 am to see the Cavalcade.  We had reasonable places to watch the parade before the 9 am start.

The cavalcade took about 60 minutes and included many artists, new Toyotas, Old cars, huge trucks (one took out some overhead fairy lights), good signs and heaps of people enjoying themselves.

Troy Casser-Daley

Lee Kernaghan

The McClymonts

 

Lead Singer of "Simply Bushed"



Renovated Caravan for A Musician



 





Peel Street after the Cavalcade

After the cavalcade six of us stopped for coffee, milkshakes and coke. Then three polo shirts were purchased for the guys - same style & colour.

Some stayed for music, some wandered around then went home, others went home later.

About 3 pm the "swim brigade" hit the pool. The water was much warmer than when we arrived 11 days ago.  I think the coolest day in that time was around 34 degrees.

It was then time to prepare/cook dinner as we are to depart around 6pm for the Golden Guitar Awards.

 

Dinner was an early and casual event, before we prepared for our last big event - the Golden Guitar Awards.

 

We departed just after 6pm and arrived in time to see a few celebrities strut the red carpet, such as Lee Kernaghan, Troy Cassar-Daley and Kasey Chambers.  The show started as scheduled and went for over three hours - non-stop.

 

There were 17 singing performances and 18 golden guitars awarded. It was an amazing extravaganza. We had pretty good seats, and they had big screens to help those who sat behind big people.  Many great names sang and/or presented awards.  They included the above names plus John Williamson, O'Shea and The McClymonts.

 

Cameras were banned so we do not have any photos to include here.

 

We also picked up a new Aussie term in "fold up like a half shut pocket knife", to define how nervous was an award winner.

We arrived home about 11 pm and had a nightcap while we discussed the events of the last 11 days.  It is clear that Tamworth in mid January is the home of Akubra hats and 4 wheel drive vehicles.  The Akubra must be worn wherever you are - even when talking at the microphone inside a stadium.  Our group did OK with about nine Akubra hats across the ten of us.

It was also mentioned that we now know the difference between a violin and a fiddle, as we have seen many many fiddles played (mostly) with great skill and gusto.

The Tamworth Music Festival is officially over 10 days, with 700 artists delivering 2800 events at many locations.

 

Bed occurred after midnight.

Day 14 - Sunday 28th January



It was our final full day in Tamworth.  Everyone started slowly and hoped that the weather would hold for packing up.

Cars were fuelled, the blog was updated and breakfast took extra time.  It was cooler than earlier days, but still 22 degrees at 9am and humid.

Six of the gang caught the bus to enjoy more entertainment and/or see more sights.  Chris & Shirley stayed behind and washed things that needed washing - while playing their new CD - Endless, by The McClymonts.  As Molly would say, "do yourself a favour and check it out".

Rain was threatening, but so what - we are on holidays.

After lunch Chris & Shirley went for a drive to Oxley Lookout, named after the European explorer who discovered the Peel river.  The lookout is 610 metres above sea level.

Oxley Lookout, Overlooking Tamworth

More relaxation, more caravan washing, more packing, more rest and more relaxation filled the middle of the afternoon.

We had some fun and games as one of the gang decided to hook up his caravan and move it on to a neighbour's site - who was a lovely fella. The mover of the caravan had plenty of helpers and people watching.

Disclaimer: The editor apologies to anyone offended by the photo below - except to the guy without a shirt.

Moving a van on to a Neighbour's site

Just after 6pm, six of us travelled into Toyota Park to catch the final concert of the festival.  It presented the winners of most minor events of the past ten days.

Toyota Park Before it Got Busy

Toyota Park Stage



An Overhead Drone



Relaxed Gang Members



The Fireworks were Great

 

 

We were home in time to see the Australian Open men's tennis final - and to do a bit more departure organising.  It was not a late night.


Day 15 - Monday 29th January



It was time to head home, after hugs, kisses and kind words.

Chris & Shirley were the first to hit the road, just before 8 am, heading west towards Newcastle then south down the motorway all the way home via Sydney - a 3 day trip.

David, Wendy, David & Bev followed some time later but headed ENE towards the coast then up to South West Rocks.  Their trip home was to be a week or more, mainly along the coast.

Stuart & Jan waited for some car repairs to be completed, not to mention a flat tyre, before heading home via Cowra.  The duration of their trip was somewhere in between the above two routes.

It was another warm day in this part of the country.

Summary:

It has been a great experience, being in Tamworth for most of the 2018 Music Festival - and with great friends.  We have all had a ball.  We have heard new types of country music, heard who was big and who was going to be big.  We have had BBQs, milk shakes, coffees, a couple of dine outs, bus rides, swims and many many laughs.

The Aussie colloquial language was a popular topic.  “Don’t come the raw prawn” was a sort of a motto.  If you do you "could fold like a half shut pocket knife".

If you came along for the ride we hope you enjoyed the journey.

Apart from a few (hopefully) minor updates this blog is complete. The story has come to an end - but the memories will live on - and like catching fish will probably get bigger.

 

This posting is complete.

Last updated 8:40 pm Monday 29 January 2018

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