Last night we watched no less than 5 electrical storms from the roof of the team van.

It was awesome!

A 360 degree view with flashes & forks of lightning appearing from every direction but above us there was a starry sky, a passing satellite & the thunder so distant it was a gentle crackle like the background of an old LP. We were parked somewhere near Lake Glenbawn, next to a murmuring river & we listened to Jeff Buckleys 'Grace' as we lay in the back of the van. The lightning lit up the red velvet curtains randomly & smatterings of heavy drops added percussion & atmosphere as we drifted off to sleep...

I like this touring lark. I like meeting kind & wonderful people who give you their beds & loan you their showers & toasters & PC's & give you beautiful insights into life. I equally like being a random stranger in a country pub somewhere, just Steve & I in the table next to the local rugby club roster. We are kicking back with a couple of drinks after a fine meal of lamb cutlets or a T-Bone with Bernaise sauce complete with a little paper flag that declares it to be 'medium'. Steve already knows the names of all the bar staff (he never misses a trick) & I'm lost in contemplation of the hits of my youth on the video jukebox.

We have done some classic shows I haven't even begun to chat about. Like Neil & Tony's Boatshed of amazing luxury- everything imaginable(gas stove, widescreen TV, dishwasher, stainless steel fridge, microwave, heated bathroom floor, latex mattress, P.A. system, etc) except a boat! They had specially purchased not 1 but 2 boxes of Lindt balls just for me(yay!) & the evening started off with an indian feast to die for & a couple of great support acts including Tony amazingly talented daughter. This is the night where I accepted the dare to learn the entire Bohemian Rhapsody & perform it for them next year just on double bass & voice. (Should I sing or play the big guitar solo?) I'll keep you posted on my progress...

The next day continued on in fine style with Jamie giving us a ride in his boat to see William Dobell's old house from the water.  Amanda put on the last performance of the day & upstaged everyone by attempting to jump off a moving boat & landing fully clothed in Lake Macquarrie. Now where was that video camera when we needed it to win the grand prize on funniest home videos?!

Blue Poles Cafe was divine & cathedral quiet- a musos delight hidden in the tiny town of Byabarra near Wauchope. That was the most I've ever enjoyed singing the song 'Nature Boy', in amongst rapt faces, beautiful photo collages of natural textures & Krissa's glistening, sparkling mosaics.

The Tallawalla Tea House was full of country charm & all the Dorrigo regulars (which always includes a few dozen of the Sommers family) It was small but extremely vocal crowd that gathered among the hundreds of flavours of tea & home made jams & trinkets.

Next came Ballina where we were able to relax for a few days with some of Steve's family. There was the incident of the 9-beer fuelled strawberry & pineapple jam-making session which was interrupted by a spectactular power failure & then continued on the BBQ... I think more of the cointreau made it into the jam-maker than in the jam which could be the reason why self raising flour was mistaken for sugar at about 2am & the jam went slightly south. Steve still stands by his jam... although it seemed very unselfish(?) of him to give it all away to his mum & sister & not keep any for himself!

The Queensland adventures were also warm & wonderful. We shared our Mt Nebo house concert with Rob Reeves & his wonderful Mountain-ears & the Mad Ass Folk Club was a blast with Lonnie, Maree & Rebecca singing along. The launch at the Clearview Centre was a gentle & sacred joy. Listening to Rebecca Wright sing the songs from her soon to be completed album with so much confidence & spellbinding honesty was worth the whole trip to QLD! Thanks Maree, Anne, Ruth & Bill & all others who assisted for a wonderful first solo excursion to the great Northern state.

Most recently we played a beautiful house concert on the weekend at Maxine's tranquil & beautiful gompa in Rocky River. I had to fight to keep control of my plectrum as Sweet Basil swelled with sisters Sujata(The Gypsy Hot Club) & Jhana(Turkish Delight) playing the brass parts from the album on violin & viola. So warm & sweet it brought tears to my eyes!

Til next time folks... onwards to Canowindra...
~liz
x