Party time
Zepher
Chris & Lyn Darch
Wed 10 Dec 2008 21:43
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Hi Folks,
After showering away the cobwebs of the night
before we mooched round the farm, great place, strolling through the olive grove
and pig sty what a contrast, the sun was up and so was the allergies for a few
of us, it was sun sun sun and snot snot snot .. we checked out the
hot tub as it had not got up to temperature, it turns out that as it was the
size of a small swimming pool and with a power flex the size of a straw it would
take a further 12 hrs to warm up, this we thought would be ideal when we
returned from the concert later in the day.
After a slap up breakfast we all went for a look
around Graytown a very chic colonial style town, lots of restraunts,cafes and
styling shops .. on returning to base camp we gathered all our picnic gear,
chilly bins (Cool boxes) , food only is allowed into the vineyard as all alcohol
has to be bought I wonder why !
At 15:45 prompt Morvin marshalled the motley crew
at the bottom of the farm drive, the bus arrived and with much gusto we set off
for Alana Estate, Martinborough, on arrival there wasn't all that
"Security" nonsense as in Europe or the US , striped to your undies routine , it
was a quick check for any bottles then straight in to find your pitch, we were
situated on a gentle slope that ran towards the stage area, on arrival we set up
camp,a sumptuous picnic was served up shortly after and the wine flowed with
just as much ease, the yards plonk was great with waiters with wicker baskets
weaving in and out of the onlookers, with the dexterity of someone picking there
way through a minefield, swaying punters the main object of
avoidance.
The music started promptly at 17:15 with Gin
Wigmore, haven't heard her before but she sounded good , then Sheryl
Crow pitched up at 18:30 and rocked the house, dint know she was so country
but gave a virtuoso performance and bought the house down , after that it was a
bit down hill as John Mellencamp the main act showed up,20:00 he has had a
number names over the decades Cougar Melancamp, bit of a red neck act , lots of
waffle about shaking hands with presidency of the US , sounded good when he
tried though but I think he was past his prime, he's been around since the 70's
judging by the crowds reception though he was a lot bigger here than in the UK
..
The sun set over the stage the music blared out and
the wine kept flowing, wonderful , a feeling of arrival in NZ wafted over
us, I think as we are now down in familiar territory the realisation of arrival
finally sank in, good feeling but the journey here will be remembered for ever,
the people and friends made along the way will be in our thoughts for a
very long time to come, and hopefully those that remain after May next year,
thinking about a class of 08 Panama and beyond club !
Back to reality, the stage cleared and we all
packed up our gear, swaying to the singing of the crowed we weaved our way back
to the coach and were wafted back to the farm house, a rush to throw the sweaty cloths off , on swimmers and
straight in the hot tub , a sweltering 40 deg C , cool chilly night though at 18
deg, a star filled sky, a glass of bubbly and looking upwards it was a perfect
end to a perfect day ........
A becalmed and land locked 1/2
crew
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