No really outstanding acts, or ones that blew us away, but everyone was happy and it worked.
Showing posts with label Maldon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maldon. Show all posts
Monday, November 4, 2013
I didn't get a whinger in my ear!
Amazing, out of the 32 Maldon Festivals I have attended the 40th is the 1st one ever that I didn't get a whinger in my ear!
No really outstanding acts, or ones that blew us away, but everyone was happy and it worked.
No really outstanding acts, or ones that blew us away, but everyone was happy and it worked.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
A little touch of Kindness
Well as I said last week, it looks like we have to do it all again.
On the way to Maldon I visited my aunt in Ballarat again. Looking much better, heaps more colour and presence.
I arrived at the Badges after lunch to find Edward and Kevin working on Edward's new shed (Edward's Cafe).
I inspect the progress and give my approval while Jan whips up tostadas, mmm, as good as if not better than last weeks and very filling.
Late afternoon and we head off to the 2013 Kindness Festival in Newstead, this week.
It is much smaller than last week, and is located at the old racecourse which now caters for local community events such as this. The buildings have a very country feel, but when you look below the surface the facilities are right up to scratch.
Old friends and new are there, Tex, Will, Stewart & Beth, Clare.
The numbers are down, but last years had been held in January, and not straight after a big event like last week's Live Festival. Siobhan the organiser said that despite this they had already covered there expenses and were on the way to making a sizable donation to the landmine clearance cause.
What was good about this event was that it was all local bands putting there bit in to raise funds. There were no artys or prententious types at all.
The night was finished with the ever popular Mick Coates.
Sunday was a good sleep in. Once up, Edward and I retrieved an old home built cupboard, an functional artifact for the new shed.
We treated ourselves to one of John's milkshakes, then grabbed a bit of lunch, no apricot turnovers though, only apple; no else has made that request, I am the first says Cindy at the bakery.
We decided not to go to see the Dear Family at the Brickyard Garden and just enjoyed a quiet afternoon with a nap.
We had a scrounge and I made an excellent tea, assisted by Edward and Jan.
Monday morning was another sleep in.
I had a really good journey home, and seemed to see a vista different to what I normally do. I think I was taking time to take in the view. Even running into Karla at Sailors Falls when I stopped there for a break.
Also, I discover a great little Salvo op shop in Bacchus Marsh.
Despite the fact I enjoy going back to Maldon, I was glad to be home.
[Lord Og Bear OOC Ozlander]
For more photos check out:
On the way to Maldon I visited my aunt in Ballarat again. Looking much better, heaps more colour and presence.
I arrived at the Badges after lunch to find Edward and Kevin working on Edward's new shed (Edward's Cafe).
 |
| Edward's new shed (Edward's Cafe) under construction [Photo: Og Bear] |
Late afternoon and we head off to the 2013 Kindness Festival in Newstead, this week.
 |
| Arriving at the 2013 Kindness Festival at the Newstead [Photo: Og Bear] |
 |
| Campers at the 2013 Kindness Festival at the Newstead [Photo: Og Bear] |
The numbers are down, but last years had been held in January, and not straight after a big event like last week's Live Festival. Siobhan the organiser said that despite this they had already covered there expenses and were on the way to making a sizable donation to the landmine clearance cause.
 |
| Archer and the Long Gone Daddies playing at the 2013 Kindness Festival [Photo: Og Bear] |
 |
| Mick Coates and the Lonesome Cowboys playing at the 2013 Kindness Festival [Photo: Og Bear] |
The night was finished with the ever popular Mick Coates.
Sunday was a good sleep in. Once up, Edward and I retrieved an old home built cupboard, an functional artifact for the new shed.
 |
| Og and Edward waiting for the milkshakes treat at John's cafe [Photo: Og Bear] |
We decided not to go to see the Dear Family at the Brickyard Garden and just enjoyed a quiet afternoon with a nap.
We had a scrounge and I made an excellent tea, assisted by Edward and Jan.
Monday morning was another sleep in.
I had a really good journey home, and seemed to see a vista different to what I normally do. I think I was taking time to take in the view. Even running into Karla at Sailors Falls when I stopped there for a break.
Also, I discover a great little Salvo op shop in Bacchus Marsh.
Despite the fact I enjoy going back to Maldon, I was glad to be home.
[Lord Og Bear OOC Ozlander]
For more photos check out:
https://picasaweb.google.com/102935184649222300700/KindnessFestival201302
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
My Newstead Live weekend was a much needed very cruisy one
I normally do the Festival of Sails on the Australia Day Weekend but the program this year didn't really appeal to me. There were a few things on around Maldon and Castlemaine as well as the Newstead Festival. Also, the Badges had invited me to come.
Got away from Ocean Grove in good time on Saturday morning, but felt a bit weird and twingy.
Once I had done some chores in Geelong I was on my way to see my favourite aunt who was in hospital in Ballarat. 89 years old this Thursday, she is a tough old bird and is recovering from having her lower leg amputated.
From there it was to Maldon. I passed through Newstead and was surprised how busy it was for a small festival of this calibre.
The Badges were already at the Kangaroo in Maldon where we saw the Old Buzzard Medicine Show in the beer garden. Wow, the new owners had transformed the old beer garden which was a bit run down and dusty, and had even laid turf.
We were joined there by a few of our friends from Maldon.
The Buzzards did not disappoint us playing long cruisy extended versions of their repertoire.
The only mistake I made was ordering the aged steak for tea as it was quite raw at one end varying through to perfect medium rare at the other end.
On Sunday morning we all had a really good good sleep in. I felt a bit weird and twingy again when I got up , so it would be off to the doctor again on Tuesday morning when I got back.
Once we were up we decided to have a late breakfast then head off to Newstead but were assailed by wads of visitors!
Finally we made it to Newstead early arvo. It looked busy, but not quite as much as when I passed through yesterday. The promotion had said that it was at the Recreation Reserve, but when we got there we found only a folk concert in the Troubador tent with campers around the oval.
I did see Patrick at the gate so we had a good catch up, then we made our way back to the main street where there were some good sessions going under the verandahs.
Under the Crown Hotel verandah we found Rob who was with the Red Raven Morris dancers. Through our conversation with him we found him to be a remarkable character with a work contract as a museum assets curator that was written to work around his Morris dancing and teaching commitments.
Simon from the Bendigo Folk Club, who I also went to Uni with, was also there.
I ran into some friends that asked whether I would be at the Kindness Festival here next week.
"Next week!" I said, "isn't this the Kindeness Festival we are at now?"
"No, that is next week, this is Newstead Live" they replied.
I had a look at the Badges and asked, "Do you want to do this all again next week?"
What an amazingly little town, 2 festivals in two weeks.
We decide to go see Roger's house. He is a local artist who uses of redundant collections of iron to create new artworks. The Badges had been promising to take me there for a while, and it was even more interesting than I expected it to be.
Known as the 'Antares Iron Art Garden', the whole place is laid out like an open garden and that is how he receives his visitors. There is no electricity or flushing toilet, but it is a very comfy home of good dimensions.
Above the kitchen fireplace was a stencil of a place quite familiar to me, the Newstead Butter Factory.
We left just in time to catch Archer and the Long Gone Daddys in the Theatre Royal's Brickyard Garden. There was a good turn out with Coatsie and Lauren, his boarder already there.
In addition they had a Mexican BBQ running with tostadas etc., of a much higher quality than you would normally expect from this type of food. Sarah and David, the owners had recently opened the Mexican Restuarant at the front of the theatre and a menu was running from there as well.
It was a really great atmosphere.
Coatsie got up and gave a few preview songs for his gig in a few weeks, but almost forgot to get off again!
Towards evening we headed back to Newstead Live where we found a good atmosphere on the street. The Badges caught up with friends under the Crown verandah while I went over to the Community Centre to catch the end of Miriam Lieberman Trio.
When I got back I had a long chat with Victoria who I had met at the Badge's last shed party. When we had finished I returned to the Badges, but next thing this minstrell had followed me through the crowd, and with her mandolin, was regurgitating everything I had said in song in amazing detail to all and sundry. I must watch every word I say next time!
It was surprising how late it was when it was time to go home.
That night I had a big nighmare about Victoria retelling future encounters in every detail!
Another sleep in on Monday then I headed off at lunch time. The obligatory pie from the Maldon Historic Bakery then dropping by Newstead Live to check the last day out.
The street was all very quiet with things being packed up. The only event was Rory McLeod in a concert at the footy oval which despite running into a handful of familiar faces I was soon back on the road again.
This festival, despite it's name, is very much a folk festival. The Troubador especially suffers from the painful, stodgy snobbery that is often associated with Melbourne folkies on the Festival circuit.
Also, the Festival is quite expensive (Weekend $95 with camping / Day ticket $45) for what you get, but there are a lot of "freebies" and atmosphere on the street for passers through to relax and enjoy.
But, it is a great effort for a small town. Having passed through and not stopped in previous years I have now satisfied my curiosity.
I had called by the Newstead Butter Factory on the way up, but no one was there. This was about the 5th time this had happened as I was wanting to acquaint myself with the new occupants and curious to see what they had done.
This time they were in so I stopped and introduced myself to Greg and Kate as the orignal owner of Oz Cottage (Frankenwax & Candlestein), the fragrant products business that had been the previous occupant for just under twenty years.
Greg makes unusual handcrafted furniture from rough wood he collects. I had become aware of him from several glossy lifestyle magazines I had seen.
They live upstairs which we hadn't and had done a lot of work to tidy up what was the butter factory and turn it into their home and workshop.
As much of our original area was unsused they were looking to put it to other uses such as a wedding venue and even a band has recorded their video in there!
Back on the road again to to visit my aunt again in Ballarat I called into Anderson's Mill at Smeaton. I had always driven past and seen this old bluestone mill in the distance, but never stopped. I had a bit of time up my sleave so decided today was the day. Wow, what a setting and it was huge compared to a lot of similar mills I had seen!
Once I had seen my aunt in Ballarat then finally it was home to Ocean Grove.
[Lord Og Bear OOC Ozlander]
For more photos check out :
NOTE: Apologies for the quality of some of the photos. When I arrived at Newstead on the Sunday I realised I had left my camera bag sitting on the bench at the Badges so I improvised with the smart phone.
Got away from Ocean Grove in good time on Saturday morning, but felt a bit weird and twingy.
Once I had done some chores in Geelong I was on my way to see my favourite aunt who was in hospital in Ballarat. 89 years old this Thursday, she is a tough old bird and is recovering from having her lower leg amputated.
 |
| My favourite aunt [Photo: Og Bear] |
The Badges were already at the Kangaroo in Maldon where we saw the Old Buzzard Medicine Show in the beer garden. Wow, the new owners had transformed the old beer garden which was a bit run down and dusty, and had even laid turf.
We were joined there by a few of our friends from Maldon.
 |
| The Old Buzzard Medicine Show in the beer garden at the Kangaroo Hotel [Photo: Og Bear] |
 |
| The Old Buzzard Medicine Show in the beer garden at the Kangaroo Hotel [Photo: Og Bear] |
The only mistake I made was ordering the aged steak for tea as it was quite raw at one end varying through to perfect medium rare at the other end.
On Sunday morning we all had a really good good sleep in. I felt a bit weird and twingy again when I got up , so it would be off to the doctor again on Tuesday morning when I got back.
Once we were up we decided to have a late breakfast then head off to Newstead but were assailed by wads of visitors!
Finally we made it to Newstead early arvo. It looked busy, but not quite as much as when I passed through yesterday. The promotion had said that it was at the Recreation Reserve, but when we got there we found only a folk concert in the Troubador tent with campers around the oval.
 |
| Patrick at Newstead Live [Photo: Og Bear] |
 |
| Session under the Royal Hotel verandah at Newstead Live [Photo: Og Bear] |
 |
| Red Raven Morris Dancers at Newstead Live [Photo: Og Bear] |
Simon from the Bendigo Folk Club, who I also went to Uni with, was also there.
I ran into some friends that asked whether I would be at the Kindness Festival here next week.
"Next week!" I said, "isn't this the Kindeness Festival we are at now?"
"No, that is next week, this is Newstead Live" they replied.
I had a look at the Badges and asked, "Do you want to do this all again next week?"
What an amazingly little town, 2 festivals in two weeks.
 |
| Campbell, Jan and Edward at Newstead Live [Photo: Og Bear] |
 |
| Roger's cottage at Newstead [Photo: Og Bear] |
 |
| Roger's cottage is part of his 'Antares Iron Art Garden' at Newstead [Photo: Og Bear] |
 |
| The stencil in the kitchen of Roger's cottage at Newstead [Photo: Og Bear] |
Above the kitchen fireplace was a stencil of a place quite familiar to me, the Newstead Butter Factory.
We left just in time to catch Archer and the Long Gone Daddys in the Theatre Royal's Brickyard Garden. There was a good turn out with Coatsie and Lauren, his boarder already there.
 |
| Archer and friends in Theatre Royal Brickyard Garden at Casltemaine [Photo: Og Bear] |
It was a really great atmosphere.
Coatsie got up and gave a few preview songs for his gig in a few weeks, but almost forgot to get off again!
Towards evening we headed back to Newstead Live where we found a good atmosphere on the street. The Badges caught up with friends under the Crown verandah while I went over to the Community Centre to catch the end of Miriam Lieberman Trio.
 |
| Miriam Lieberman Trio in the Community Centre at Newstead Live [Photo: Og Bear] |
 |
| Atmosphere under the Royal Hotel verandah at Newstead Live [Photo: Og Bear] |
It was surprising how late it was when it was time to go home.
That night I had a big nighmare about Victoria retelling future encounters in every detail!
Another sleep in on Monday then I headed off at lunch time. The obligatory pie from the Maldon Historic Bakery then dropping by Newstead Live to check the last day out.
The street was all very quiet with things being packed up. The only event was Rory McLeod in a concert at the footy oval which despite running into a handful of familiar faces I was soon back on the road again.
 |
| Rory McLeod with Margret Roadknight in the Troubadour, Newstead Live [Photo: Og Bear] |
 |
| Crowd under a big shady tree at the Troubadour, Newstead Live [Photo: Og Bear] |
Also, the Festival is quite expensive (Weekend $95 with camping / Day ticket $45) for what you get, but there are a lot of "freebies" and atmosphere on the street for passers through to relax and enjoy.
But, it is a great effort for a small town. Having passed through and not stopped in previous years I have now satisfied my curiosity.
 |
| The old Newstead Butter Factory where we had our candle factory and fragrant products business [Photo: Og Bear] |
 |
| The Oz Cottage range we made in the old Newstead Butter Factory [Photo: Colin Barr] |
This time they were in so I stopped and introduced myself to Greg and Kate as the orignal owner of Oz Cottage (Frankenwax & Candlestein), the fragrant products business that had been the previous occupant for just under twenty years.
Greg makes unusual handcrafted furniture from rough wood he collects. I had become aware of him from several glossy lifestyle magazines I had seen.
They live upstairs which we hadn't and had done a lot of work to tidy up what was the butter factory and turn it into their home and workshop.
As much of our original area was unsused they were looking to put it to other uses such as a wedding venue and even a band has recorded their video in there!
 |
| Andersons old bluestone mill at Smeaton [Photo: Og Bear] |
Once I had seen my aunt in Ballarat then finally it was home to Ocean Grove.
[Lord Og Bear OOC Ozlander]
For more photos check out :
https://picasaweb.google.com/102935184649222300700/NewsteadLiveWeekend2013
NOTE: Apologies for the quality of some of the photos. When I arrived at Newstead on the Sunday I realised I had left my camera bag sitting on the bench at the Badges so I improvised with the smart phone.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Bit better ending to 2010 than last year!
The Maldon Folk Festival must be the most regular and repeated ritual in my life and her I am again in 2010.
A chance meeting with the Badges at Apollo Bay has now firmed into a friendship and I this year staying with them at their Maldon house.
Mr Merls is with me again. He takes one of my cameras and has quite a different view of the shots. He this the ones I thing are disasters are the really great ones!
A chance meeting with the Badges at Apollo Bay has now firmed into a friendship and I this year staying with them at their Maldon house.
Not necessarily my favourite festival but this year is my first Queenscliff Music Festival with the new director that seems to be breathing new life into this culturally tired Festival.
Mr Merls is with me again. He takes one of my cameras and has quite a different view of the shots. He this the ones I thing are disasters are the really great ones!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Mixed ending to 2009
The Maldon Folk Festival this year turned out to be a real stinker with the weather, but that is better than it pouring down!
I ,mentioned that Greg Chandler wanted to see my at the Festival. A week later passed away, massive heart attack just before being prepped up for open heart surgery. A sad lost of my oldest friend from Maldon.
In November and December our Tasmanian accident in 2006 was brought back to us with a very nasty Xmas present from Budget.
The real plus was the reforming of Turning Blue to play their first full gig in 10 years at the Black Hatt (De La Ville)
I ,mentioned that Greg Chandler wanted to see my at the Festival. A week later passed away, massive heart attack just before being prepped up for open heart surgery. A sad lost of my oldest friend from Maldon.
In November and December our Tasmanian accident in 2006 was brought back to us with a very nasty Xmas present from Budget.
The real plus was the reforming of Turning Blue to play their first full gig in 10 years at the Black Hatt (De La Ville)
I went to the Blues Club's New Years Eve event, Bluestone, which turned out to be the last one at Modewarre. We were glad it was not as hot as previous year, and no swarms of bugs either!
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