We absolutely love festivals :) So we were particularly excited about performing at Neurum Creek and being part of a festival that boasted such a fantastic line-up of talented people. We had everything planned out. Bridge, Paul & I would share a tent and Mannie would sleep in his van thus ensuring no snores would come through and keep us all awake. The week before Neurum Mannie decided his van needed a service as he didn't want it to break down on our way up there. All was well and we were busy. Bridget had organised herself into a cardboard box, Paul had procured enough coffee to keep us buzzing for the entire weekend, and I received a phone call from Mannie on Thursday afternoon telling me that his van wouldn't be ready until the Monday after Neurum and he would have to share the tent with us . . .
Oh Mother above, this is not good.
I, like pretty much everyone else who has crossed paths with him, adore Mannie to pieces. I just don't adore sharing a tent with a snorer! Mannie can pull walls in with his purring - this is no joke. But there was nothing else we could do, he needed a place to sleep (a typical complaint from Paul - 'Can't he just sleep outside?'), and so we changed plans to accommodate the lovely yet silently-sleep-challenged Mannikins. So after transport preparations that would have made a tactician proud (Bridgey's parents Paula & John took the tent, air mattresses, food and most importantly, the alcohol; and her sister Georgia took our bedding and some instruments) we loaded up my RAV with snacks, instruments, gumboots and most importantly, alcohol, and we were off.
Well I have never laughed so hard during a car trip in my life. Whoever was the loudest got heard and laughed with/at, but I must say Bridget was in particularly fine form, delivering zingers that made both Mannie & I cry from laughter. We all arrived slightly intoxicated (except for me as I was driving. I rectified this immediately by cracking open the biggest cider I could find) and ready to put up the tent. For those who have read past blogs, when Paul, Bridgey & I went to Woodford to put up the tent it took us nearly 3 hours. This time around we had Bridget's army of a family helping, and our entire campsite went up in less than half an hour. It was absolutely amazing and we were so thankful! I proved to be utterly hopeless at putting the tent pegs in, all I did was mash the grass with the hammer. Mannie eventually took it off me and couldn't stop laughing, I have no idea why!
For those who haven't visited Neurum Creek, this place is absolutely amazing. Situated at the bottom of spectacular mountain scenery, the campsites are huge and you don't have the feeling of living in people's pockets that can sometimes happen whilst camping.
Friday night was brilliant. After a healthy dinner of vegie burgers courtesy of Bridget we caught a few of the acts and then Bridge & I decided to check out the surrounding areas by going for a walk in the moonlight. It was so clear under the full moon, which I was extremely thankful for as Bridgey nearly walked onto a snake during our travels! Once we came back at 11pm we all decided to pike out on the session and get some sleep instead. The weather was blazing during the day, but damn cold when the sun went down! Armed with extra blankets & with some trepidation, we all settled down to sleep; Sunas style.
Listening to: The Wonderful Session going on not 50 yards away
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