Friday 11-March-2011,
Mara and I went to one of Alan Jackson's Brisbane concerts.
We saw Alan earlier in the week down at the Hunter Valley. The Brisbane concert was still great but the sound quality down at the Hunter Valley was a lot better (I actually blame the venue).
Alan basically did the same set with an additional 4 songs.
Overall another great night :)
Saturday, March 19, 2011
CMC - Rocks the Hunter Trip
March 3-7, 2011
Over the last few years I have been tempted to go to CMC rocks the Snowies, which is a fairly recent festival organized by CMC (Country Music Channel). Unlike the Gympie Muster and other festivals this one gets international artists.
This year the festival was moved to the Hunter Valley (Hope Estate winery) so we thought lets do it as it is easier to get to and we have time share accommodation down there.
Thursday 3, March
Maria and I flew down to Newcastle airport with Qantas and picked up a hire car for the 1hr drive to our accommodation. On the way we stopped off at Kurri Kurri for lunch at one of the pubs.
Another 30 minutes drive to Pokolbin and our accommodation. After a settling in we headed of to Harrigans Irish pub for a meal and a few drinks.
Friday 4, March
Day off, headed to Maitland to look at a few shops before heading back towards Pokolbin. Visited the smoke house, and the Hunter Chocolate factory (Yum) and lunch at at a nearby cafe.
Then off to Tyrells Winery for a tasting and tour. The tour was great and a one hour long wine tasting was enough for Maria to get a little tipsy. Next Stop Blue Tongue brewery to get some cooking school information for our next visit in September (Des's wedding). Back to the unit and then Back to Harrigans for Dinner (fish and chips, well I am on Holidays)
Saturday 5, March
We caught the shuttle bus from our accommodation at The Grand Mecure - The Vintage and 10 miutes later we were at the Hope Estate with 13hrs of Music ahead of us.
The venue was great with one massive stage for the international acts and major australian artists and a small "Oz Artists" stage for the up and comers.
Well here is my review
10:30 - Liam Brew - Has improved since we saw him at the Muster in 2009,
11:45 - Dean Brody (CAN) - very good, didn't really know much about him, but ended
up buying a CD.
1:00 - Stephanie Brownlee - Not that good, needs a few more years performing, some of the songs
are good but needs more experience, seemed to try too hard. Maria really didn't like her at all.
1:30 - Buxton Hughes (USA) - Never heard of the before, OK.
2:30 - Harmony James - Good artist, very laid back compared to the high energy of
other artists.
3:00 - Emerson Drive (CAN) - Very good and got the crowd really going.
4:00 - Wilson Pickers - Not really our kind of music (blue grass) but the crowd did
seem to like them. Great for lying down on the picnic rug and relaxing.
4:30 - Troy Cassar-Daley - Another relaxing country artist, I enjoyed it, but to slow for Maria.
5:30 - Busby Marou - They really surprised me. Really enjoyed them.
6:05 - The McClymonts - Very Good, Maria hated them before this concert but now wants to
see them again. Great energy, and probably the only Australian artists that I think could
make it big in the USA.
7:20 - Mark Wells - Can't remember much to be honest, probably getting dinner, or another
Bundy and cola.
7:55 - Kasey Chambers - Still can't see why people love her.
9:10 - McAlister Kemp - Good honest Aussie band.
9:45 - Joe Nichols (USA) - Entertaining, and the crowd just loved him.
11:00pm back to the shuttle bus and a well deserved sleep.
Sunday 6, March
More of the same.
10:00 - Wilson Pickers (again)
11:15 - Jonah's Road - Probably my favourite Aussie Group these days. Deserved a longer set.
12:15 - Jayne Denham - Not really my cup of tea, reminds me of a female Jimmy Barnes
12:45 - Russell Morris - Yes the the singer from the 60's, did a great set. Still has a good voice.
1:45 - Markus Meier - Alright (that's all I remember)
2:15 - O'Shea - Never herad of them, but were ok
3:15 - Victoria Baillie - Good up and coming artist. Improved since I saw her at the Muster
3:45 - Jack Ingram (USA) - Started slow but by the end had the crowd begging for more.
Very good high energy Country Rock.
4:45 - Dianna Corcoran - Very Good, deserved to be on the Main Stage instead of the next
artist (or Kasey)
5:20 - Jasmine Rae - Getting better, some good songs.
6:20 - Peter McWhirter - OK - Getting food and Bundy again.
6:55 - John Williamson - Good really got the crowd going during the last 3 songs.
8:10 - Springfield - Interesting, pretty good
8:45 - Alan Jackson - Very good (better than the Brisbane concert that we went to
the following Friday)
10:15 - Back to our accommodation.
Monday 7, March
Packed up and headed to Kurri Kurri for breakfast then off to visit my Aunt Riet near Gosford. Riet prepared a nice and filling lunch. It was great to catch up again after 3 years.
Back to the airport in Newcastle for our return flight home.
Hopefully we will be back next year, and it is looking good, as Maria prefers this festival over the Gympie Muster.
Gallery
Over the last few years I have been tempted to go to CMC rocks the Snowies, which is a fairly recent festival organized by CMC (Country Music Channel). Unlike the Gympie Muster and other festivals this one gets international artists.
This year the festival was moved to the Hunter Valley (Hope Estate winery) so we thought lets do it as it is easier to get to and we have time share accommodation down there.
Thursday 3, March
Maria and I flew down to Newcastle airport with Qantas and picked up a hire car for the 1hr drive to our accommodation. On the way we stopped off at Kurri Kurri for lunch at one of the pubs.
Another 30 minutes drive to Pokolbin and our accommodation. After a settling in we headed of to Harrigans Irish pub for a meal and a few drinks.
 |
| The Concert stages from the road |
Day off, headed to Maitland to look at a few shops before heading back towards Pokolbin. Visited the smoke house, and the Hunter Chocolate factory (Yum) and lunch at at a nearby cafe.
Then off to Tyrells Winery for a tasting and tour. The tour was great and a one hour long wine tasting was enough for Maria to get a little tipsy. Next Stop Blue Tongue brewery to get some cooking school information for our next visit in September (Des's wedding). Back to the unit and then Back to Harrigans for Dinner (fish and chips, well I am on Holidays)
 |
| Tyrels Winery |
Saturday 5, March
We caught the shuttle bus from our accommodation at The Grand Mecure - The Vintage and 10 miutes later we were at the Hope Estate with 13hrs of Music ahead of us.
 |
| Our setup for the weekend, we got a good spot nice and early. |
The venue was great with one massive stage for the international acts and major australian artists and a small "Oz Artists" stage for the up and comers.
 |
| Buxton Hughes |
 |
| Michael And Maria |
 |
| The McClymonts |
Well here is my review
10:30 - Liam Brew - Has improved since we saw him at the Muster in 2009,
11:45 - Dean Brody (CAN) - very good, didn't really know much about him, but ended
up buying a CD.
1:00 - Stephanie Brownlee - Not that good, needs a few more years performing, some of the songs
are good but needs more experience, seemed to try too hard. Maria really didn't like her at all.
1:30 - Buxton Hughes (USA) - Never heard of the before, OK.
2:30 - Harmony James - Good artist, very laid back compared to the high energy of
other artists.
3:00 - Emerson Drive (CAN) - Very good and got the crowd really going.
4:00 - Wilson Pickers - Not really our kind of music (blue grass) but the crowd did
seem to like them. Great for lying down on the picnic rug and relaxing.
4:30 - Troy Cassar-Daley - Another relaxing country artist, I enjoyed it, but to slow for Maria.
5:30 - Busby Marou - They really surprised me. Really enjoyed them.
6:05 - The McClymonts - Very Good, Maria hated them before this concert but now wants to
see them again. Great energy, and probably the only Australian artists that I think could
make it big in the USA.
7:20 - Mark Wells - Can't remember much to be honest, probably getting dinner, or another
Bundy and cola.
7:55 - Kasey Chambers - Still can't see why people love her.
9:10 - McAlister Kemp - Good honest Aussie band.
9:45 - Joe Nichols (USA) - Entertaining, and the crowd just loved him.
11:00pm back to the shuttle bus and a well deserved sleep.
Sunday 6, March
More of the same.
 |
| Stage |
 |
| Dianna Corcoran |
 |
| Alan Jackson |
10:00 - Wilson Pickers (again)
11:15 - Jonah's Road - Probably my favourite Aussie Group these days. Deserved a longer set.
12:15 - Jayne Denham - Not really my cup of tea, reminds me of a female Jimmy Barnes
12:45 - Russell Morris - Yes the the singer from the 60's, did a great set. Still has a good voice.
1:45 - Markus Meier - Alright (that's all I remember)
2:15 - O'Shea - Never herad of them, but were ok
3:15 - Victoria Baillie - Good up and coming artist. Improved since I saw her at the Muster
3:45 - Jack Ingram (USA) - Started slow but by the end had the crowd begging for more.
Very good high energy Country Rock.
4:45 - Dianna Corcoran - Very Good, deserved to be on the Main Stage instead of the next
artist (or Kasey)
5:20 - Jasmine Rae - Getting better, some good songs.
6:20 - Peter McWhirter - OK - Getting food and Bundy again.
6:55 - John Williamson - Good really got the crowd going during the last 3 songs.
8:10 - Springfield - Interesting, pretty good
8:45 - Alan Jackson - Very good (better than the Brisbane concert that we went to
the following Friday)
10:15 - Back to our accommodation.
Monday 7, March
Packed up and headed to Kurri Kurri for breakfast then off to visit my Aunt Riet near Gosford. Riet prepared a nice and filling lunch. It was great to catch up again after 3 years.
 |
| Brenie, Riet and Michael |
Back to the airport in Newcastle for our return flight home.
Hopefully we will be back next year, and it is looking good, as Maria prefers this festival over the Gympie Muster.
Slideshow
Gallery
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Birthday Dinner 28 Jan 2011
Australia Day 2011 - Stradbroke Island
Instead of heading up or down the coast like everyone else, this year we thought we might do something different and go to Straddie for the day. Unfortunately a lot of high school kids thought that would be a great idea too.
We arrived early and bought our Gold Cat ferry tickets, in the beautiful sunshine, by the time the boat pulled in there was 180 people waiting to board - 165 where high school kids! We where so close to not going.....
When we got dropped off at One Mile Jetty the ferry captain had advised that there where not enough buses to take everyone as they had had a quite summer due to the weather, and they had had 130 people go over on the ferry before ours. So there was a mad dash for the bus queue.....20 minutes later we took off for Point Lookout. 20 minutes later we arrived (thank god it was air-conditioned!).
We grabbed a gelati and de-stressed looking over the ocean. Most of the kids had disappeared to the beaches, so we strolled around the Gorge, unfortunately there was no marine life due to the dirty water in the gorge.
We then walked up to the Straddie Pub for a lovely lunch and a few drinks overlooking the ocean, it was lovely (and no kids!).
We then walked to Cylinder Beach for a dip, I was too full from lunch, so I sat on the rock under the shade of a tree and watched all the swimmers. Mikey went in for a swim.
We then chilled out on the grass in the shade for 30 minutes then walked up to the bus stop. The buses where pretty packed again for the ride home. The ferry was much quieter on the way home with some very burnt bodies.
Lovely day out in the end!
Gallery, Slideshow
We arrived early and bought our Gold Cat ferry tickets, in the beautiful sunshine, by the time the boat pulled in there was 180 people waiting to board - 165 where high school kids! We where so close to not going.....
When we got dropped off at One Mile Jetty the ferry captain had advised that there where not enough buses to take everyone as they had had a quite summer due to the weather, and they had had 130 people go over on the ferry before ours. So there was a mad dash for the bus queue.....20 minutes later we took off for Point Lookout. 20 minutes later we arrived (thank god it was air-conditioned!).
We grabbed a gelati and de-stressed looking over the ocean. Most of the kids had disappeared to the beaches, so we strolled around the Gorge, unfortunately there was no marine life due to the dirty water in the gorge.
We then walked up to the Straddie Pub for a lovely lunch and a few drinks overlooking the ocean, it was lovely (and no kids!).
We then walked to Cylinder Beach for a dip, I was too full from lunch, so I sat on the rock under the shade of a tree and watched all the swimmers. Mikey went in for a swim.
We then chilled out on the grass in the shade for 30 minutes then walked up to the bus stop. The buses where pretty packed again for the ride home. The ferry was much quieter on the way home with some very burnt bodies.
Lovely day out in the end!
Slideshow
Gallery, Slideshow
Monday, January 24, 2011
New Years Eve - Tangalooma
31/12/2010
After all the rain we had we were starting to get cabin fever. So after much weather watching we booked the first sunny day we could find to get out of the house, and we got it right!
We wet over to Tangalooma on Moreton Island for the day with Rob.
We stored our gear in the lockers and walked 25 minutes up the beach to the wrecks for some snorkeling. All the bad weather seemed to have washed up hundreds of starfish onto the beach, we threw many back into the water hoping they would survive.
We swam out to the wrecks and snorkeled around for around 40 minutes, the current was strong and the viability was poor (~1-2 meters).
We then headed back to the resort for a quad bike tour. After the debrief we hooned around the sand dunes for around 1 hour. Awesome fun.
We then had lunch and few drinks at the beer garden area overlooking the wonderful bay and beach. Then off to the pool for a swim before relaxing on the lawn while drying out.
Back to the boat for the return trip to Brisbane. A great day out.
Slideshow
Gallery, slideshow.
After all the rain we had we were starting to get cabin fever. So after much weather watching we booked the first sunny day we could find to get out of the house, and we got it right!
We wet over to Tangalooma on Moreton Island for the day with Rob.
We stored our gear in the lockers and walked 25 minutes up the beach to the wrecks for some snorkeling. All the bad weather seemed to have washed up hundreds of starfish onto the beach, we threw many back into the water hoping they would survive.
We swam out to the wrecks and snorkeled around for around 40 minutes, the current was strong and the viability was poor (~1-2 meters).
We then headed back to the resort for a quad bike tour. After the debrief we hooned around the sand dunes for around 1 hour. Awesome fun.
We then had lunch and few drinks at the beer garden area overlooking the wonderful bay and beach. Then off to the pool for a swim before relaxing on the lawn while drying out.
Back to the boat for the return trip to Brisbane. A great day out.
Slideshow
Gallery, slideshow.
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