Ellen - Day 9 - Napier to Wellington

We spent the day exploring the art deco of Napier. The walking guided tour was well worth it. We had a bit of time to kill before departing for Wellington and took a tour of the sunken garden and the National Aquarium. We might have enjoyed the aquarium more if it hadn't been packed full of screaming kids.

We took the back roads to Wellington which serendipitously took us past the place with the longest name in the world (see photos). Arriving in Wellington at dusk, we strolled up Cuba street and had a pub dinner. With several hours to kill before boarding our 2AM ferry, we popped round to visit our dear friends Tony and Charlene Hillyard for a chat, and a jam in the kitchen on Tony's wonderful guitars.

Photos: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108481211284683809830/albums/5842730707172193793

Ellen - Day 8 - "You Don't Know"

We were on the road just after dawn, dropped the dogs off at the kennel and spent ten hours traveling to Napier through the wild Te Urewera forest and around the stunningly beautiful Lake Waikaremoana (search Google images). The going was slow through the forest with 100 kilometers of twisty up and down gravel road. The misty rain only added to the haunting beauty.

We arrived in Napier just before dusk, got checked into the Criterion Backpackers and had a stroll in the misty rain on the pebble beach before having dinner at Rosie O'Grady's Irish Pub. Of the millions of rocks on this pebble beach i just happened to look down and saw one that had written on it "You Don't Know!". This became a recurring mantra for the rest of Ellen's visit.

Photos: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108481211284683809830/albums/5841605197768115025

Ellen - Day 7 - Boxing Day

Today we bid farewell to Larry & Karon and drove down the west coast via the Hokianga harbor. We stopped in to pay respects to Tane Mahuta, the largest living kauri tree.

Finally back home, we finalized the packing for or early departure in the morning to Napier, via lake Waikaremoana.

Photos: https://plus.google.com/photos/108481211284683809830/albums/5840211132535738865

Ellen - Day 6 - Christmas

December 23rd was a well earned rest day, we even treated ourselves to dinner and the final Tattletale Saints concert at Corellies.

On Christmas eve, we drove to Stillwater to visit with our dear friends Paul & Anna. Christmas time wouldn't feel right without spending some time with them. Then we spent the evening packing up Blute (my blue ute (pickup truck)) for our big southern trip which begins when we get back from Northland.

The traveling started today, Christmas, as we headed to Northland to spend Christmas day with our dear friends Larry & Karon. Karon prepared a sumptuous feast and we ate, drank and laughed our way into the evening. Yet another great day.

Photos: https://plus.google.com/photos/108481211284683809830/albums/5840202475672088721

Ellen Day 3 - Puhoi Pub on The Beast

Trude and Ellen started the day with a walk into Devonport village to visit the Ngataringa Dragon and to check out the jacaranda trees that are now in full bloom.

With a weather forecast for days of rain ahead, we decided this was the time to ride The Beast to the Puhoi Pub, via the west coast. Ellen reckons it took more courage to hop on The Beast than it did to get on the plane to New Zealand.

On the way back from Puhoi we stopped in at Wenderholm Park and Orewa to check out yet more great beaches.

In the evening we had our good friends Michael & Ardeth over for dinner, after which we went up to The Bunker for the annual Christmas party.

Photos: https://plus.google.com/photos/108481211284683809830/albums/5840195233625116513

Ellen - Day 2 - Piha and Muriwai

Today we took Ellen out to the Auckland west coast beaches: Piha and Muriwai. Piha is a favorite with both locals and tourists and is especially known for the good surfing. There are great views from the road in.

After an nice lunch on the beach at Piha, we headed up to Muriwai beach to see the ganet colony. Muriwai is also known for it's kilometers of unbroken black sand beach, a favorite place for the land sailors.

Once back in Devonport we decided to cap off the day with a picnic up on Mt. Victoria. Every day should be this nice.

Photos: https://plus.google.com/photos/108481211284683809830/albums/5840187155389497393

Ellen Arrives from Dallas

Trude's sister in-law, Ellen, arrived this morning. It is great to see her after way too many years. To help her cope with jet lag we took her for a long walk on the beach and gave her the full tour of Devonport.

Photos: https://plus.google.com/photos/108481211284683809830/albums/5840182143560879969

Wires & Wood at Bluegrass Club Christmas Party

"Wires & Wood" played a short concert for the Auckland Bluegrass Club Christmas Party.

http://www.wiresandwood.co.nz

Too Far Gone

After a long hiatus it was good to have "Too Far Gone" together on stage again as part of Martha's concert at The Bunker. It's always a pleasure to make music with these folks and to wear those awesome shirts that Martha made for us. Peter will be away for a year or two so who knows when we'll get to do this again.

Thanksgiving 2012

After about thirty odd hours of traveling from Missouri back to NZ I arrived just in time for our annual Thanksgiving party. Trude did a great job taking on the full load of preparing for the party while I was away for my Dad's funeral. The food was awesome although i forgot to get photos before it was gobbled up. I didn't forget to get photos of the most important ingredient which is these wonderful people that we are thankful to have in our lives.
Photos: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108481211284683809830/albums/5820817771630800417

Rock Road Rebels

My sister Charlotte and I headed over to Falecia's, a little honky tonk in Moberly, Missouri, to hear our cousin Shane Newbrough lead his band "Rock Road Rebels" (http://www.reverbnation.com/rockroadrebels) through a couple sets of good old solid rock with a southern flavor. It was loud and proud and i was glad to see another member of the family putting it out there with his music. I wish we had more of this in New Zealand.

Charles T. Young 1929-2012

I've been in Missouri the past few days to be with family after my fathers death on 21 November. Although it is a sad occasion it is great to be here close to family at this time. Dad is missed and we have been celebrating his life and remembering him with tears and lots of laughs. He was quite a character. My sister Charlotte summed it up best in this speech that she gave at the funeral: 

Our Gentle Giant, Charles T. Young

We all know the man we are celebrating today as a brother, husband, father, grandpa, great grandpa, father-in-law, uncle, cousin or friend.  We titled this story from a paper my late sister Joyce once wrote about our Dad.  Several examples came from her.  She referred to him as the Gentle Giant. 

As children we remember climbing on our Daddy’s knee when he got home to tell him about our day.  He always appeared to be 10 feet tall.  We were sure he could touch the clouds if he just stretched high enough.  He knew so much about so many things.

Dad had three sisters, Dorothy and Mary Alice who are here today and Betty who went to heaven before him.  It just so happens there is a story about the two sisters with us today.  Dad and his sisters usually walked to school but occasionally they rode their blind horse Dexter.  Dad says quote, “one time Mary Alice and Dorothy were on him, you know, and was headed for the clothesline.  I slapped his rump and he took off like lightning toward it.  Well, they were so mad!  But you know, they were riding, they could have steered him away from it”.  Sounds like a brother doesn’t it!

When our Dad was growing up times were really tough.  Jobs were scarce and after the 8th grade Dad dropped out of school.  His father bought two one-way tickets to Colorado and they worked there in a pickle factory.  When the work was done there they hitchhiked home.  At age 16 Dad was lucky enough to get a job at a local brick factory.  At age 19 he joined the Air Force and was for awhile stationed in Alaska.  Everyone laughs that he left with straight hair and came back with curly hair.  Mom says it was those Eskimo girls who caused it!

Dad now decided to take up courting…which is where our Mom comes into the story.  She was an identical twin.  One night Dad went to pick her up for a date.  Neither sister let him know which was his date.  He finally stood up and said, “Well, I guess we’d better go”  he decided he was taking out whomever got up and went with him. 

Dad always used many folk expressions.  One we all seem to remember down to the grandkids is “that’s no hill for a stepper”.  Whenever we felt a task was too hard, this was his encouragement.  In knowing my Dad you know he was to the point with his comments.  One expression that he used when we had company that usually embarrassed all of us was.  If the visitors stayed beyond 9:30pm, Dad would say, “Well, I’d better get to bed so these people can go home.”  Only Dad could say something so bold and yet not offend anyone. 

Here are a few others:
If you started to gossip he would say, “are you writing a book? Leave that chapter out”
When surprised, “I’ll be a monkey’s pigeon-toed uncle”
When hungry, “keep your cotton pickin paws off my food”
When asked if something would work he would say, “might will, might won’t”
He loved to tell the little kids, “I’m gonna cut your ears off”
How about, “see that spider on the wall and then he grabs your food”
My kids especially liked, “see my finger, see my thumb, here’s my fist you better run”.

Dad had special names for all his children.  Michael was usually, John Henry”; Sharon was called “string bean” or “slim pickins” because she was so skinny.  He usually called Joyce “Jauce” rhyming with sauce.  Charlotte being the baby of the family, was most often called “punkin tator”. 

Dad often used his height, size and dark complexion as a scare tactic.  It usually worked when we were kids, later on our boyfriends, and with barking dogs of course. 

Dad was a good man of compassion and integrity.  I haven't mentioned his John Deere tractor.  It wasn't just a tractor it was a tool he used to help others.  He was so proud to strut down the street and plow snow from the neighbors in need, especially the elderly.  He plowed many, many neighbor's gardens.  My proudest example of integrity from our Dad was something he did when I was in college.  We were at the hardware store in need of a bolt, which we bought.  When we got back home he realized there was a washer on the bolt. (Worth maybe 5cents) he made us drive all the way across town to return it because we had not paid for it.  A very sincere form of integrity and a compelling life lesson.

Dad inspired us.  How can you not be inspired by a man who with an 8th grade education joined the Air Force at a young age.  How can you not be inspired by a man who worked over 40 years in a labor job at the same company to support his family.  How can you not be inspired by a man who came from poverty and raised 4 children with college educations.  How can you not be inspired by a man who went to the Veterans Home with pride…determined not to burden his family.

Our Dad loved being a Grandpa, they melted his heart.  Sharon’s children Stephanie, Dallas, Katie Jo, Joyce’s children  Amanda, Jonathan, and my children Leigha, and Chase; and then his 6 Great Grandchildren.

Michael, you didn’t have any children but his grand children pride from you was your music.  He was so proud of you for that!  And you just happened to pick the music he appreciated!  Not only did you play the music but you became one of the most respected musicians in the world.  Just two weeks ago he asked me to bring an old fiddle he had given me to keep for him.  He felt like touching it, picking on it and thought maybe he could learn to play.  I think that was his connection to his only son in his final days.

Sharon, Dad always told me you were his guardian angel…. and Sharon, that you have been.  When the rest of us could not be here, you have always been here.

Joyce….she got to heaven ahead of him…he wasn’t happy with her for that.  Dad loved to play practical jokes on Joyce and she would play back on him.  Watch out Joyce cause here he comes…I bet he has been planning a good one for you for awhile.

Me, well I got lucky enough to be the baby, his youngest, most independent, stubborn child.  Lets just say I kept him young all these years. 

The son-in-laws, well if he didn’t have you to harass I don’t know what he would have done.  He loved you all so much but he sure liked to make you pay for it!

Lastly his bride of over 50 years, our Mom.  I think of my parents and they haven’t always been rosy times.  They were not always the ones you saw holding hands walking down the road.  But what my parents had was commitment to each other and love that is much deeper and unconditional than the things we might all see on the surface.  I am proud that our family is very independent but our family is also a unit.  A committed unit to be there for each other in times of need, happiness or sorrow.

If you ask anyone who was close to Dad you’ll hear he was really a Gentle Giant.  This Gentle Giant has given all of us many wonderful memories and many treasures to pass on to generations to come.  This is just a small sample of the richness and goodness of our father.  His essence cannot be fully captured, and we don’t want to capture too much today lest it minimize his vastness. 

Thanks for everything Daddy, thanks for being our “Gentle Giant”.

Oparau Acoustic Festival 2012

Lott put on yet another awesome festival this year. The Friday night blackboard concert was of an exceptionally fine standard, followed by a nice jam in the kitchen.

The Saturday night concert was amazing as usual with Warren George, The Roswells, the jazz trio "Not Te Awamutu Brass Band", and finally The Nukes.

The bonfire was the best ever and many of us couldn't tear ourselves away from it into the wee hours of the morning.

Photos here:  http://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108481211284683809830/albums/5807426735879148689

A rough video of the bonfire here:

http://youtu.be/InvQAMYkPuc

Wires & Wood at The Vic

Wires & Wood played as part of a variety benefit concert at The Victoria Theatre in Devonport. We were glad to be part of the evening, especially since the first gig we ever played seven years ago was at a "Save The Vic" gathering that has helped to preserve this fine performance venue.

More info and photos here: http://www.wiresandwood.co.nz/photos/2012-vic.php

Rich & Elaina Anniversary

Rich organized a surprise dinner to celebrate his and Elaina's 11th anniversary. We joined Rich and Elaina and  Paul and Anna Restall at Portifino in Devonport for a great evening of good food and wine, enjoyable conversation and lots of laughs. Thanks Rich!

Afterwards, i headed over to the combined birthday party of Emily Giles and Cy Winstanley. It took days to recover :-).

Brand New Tradition

I finished the final tweaks and delivered the master disk for Garry Trotman's new album "Brand New Tradition". We've been recording it here in Studio 27A for the past few weeks. All songs are composed and performed by Garry. Besides performing on all songs himself, on various instruments, he has also roped in family members and Wires & Wood in various places. There is a nice variety of material, ranging from swing, blues, trad, folk and bluegrass. More details here: http://gaz.seaviewsound.co.nz/.

Wires & Wood BBC Documentary

"Wires & Wood", my bluegrass band, was invited to participate in a BBC documentary. We spent a whole day recording and shooting video for a couple of songs. We had good weather for a winters day and spent most of if shooting video outside on an old vintage crane barge at the Maritime Museum on the Auckland waterfront. I don't know when the program will be broadcast but will post here when I find out.

Kerry Turner Turns 60 at Tahora

Kerry and Penni hosted a great party for Kerry's 60th at Omapu Station in Tahora. It was an interesting melding of the music festival folks and the motorbike rally folks. Certainly, a good time was had by all. A great feed off the barbie, plenty of top shelf live music throughout the evening, a generous sharing of many whiskeys that Kerry had been given for his birthday, good mates hanging together and all in the enchanted embrace of Omapu Station. It's good to be alive.
Here are a few random photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/108481211284683809830/KerryTurner60th

The Tenth Waharau, 2012

It was yet another lovely Queens Birthday holiday weekend at Waharau. The music and food were awesome. If my memory serves right, it is the first time that there was no rain for the entire event. We even had T-shirts this time to celebrate ten years at this venue. Thank you Rosie for making it all happen.
A few random photos: https://plus.google.com/photos/108481211284683809830/albums/5759657044327545489

Tony Hillyard Was Here

It was nice to have Tony Hillyard visiting for a few days. I enjoyed backing him at his Bunker performance. It was good to be playing mandolin again and it was my debut at playing upright bass in public.

Tiddly Winks Championship

I was trying for a record fourth win at this years hotly contested Tiddly Winks Championship at The Bunker. My hopes were dashed when i screwed up my subtle tiddly control muscles by playing fooseball between rounds and i was eliminated in the quarter final. Never mind, i'll know better next year. :-).

Liane Turns 50

One of Trude's best mates, Liane, had a great party for her 50th. Liane's sister made an amazing chocolate cake for the occasion.

Degas to Dali

Our friends Larry and Karon from Waimati North came down to visit for the weekend and we all spent Sunday afternoon at the Auckland Art Gallery to see the visiting exhibition "Degas to Dali". It was my first time to see original works by Degas, Monet, Matisse, and Dali amongst many others. It is an exhibition well worth seeing if you get the chance. I was especially smitten by a simple line drawing from Matisse (shown at right).

In the evening we had dinner at Corelli's while enjoying the music of "Sandpaper Tango", then headed up to The Bunker for an evening of blues from the Tauranga band "Kokomo".

Lunch in Whangaparoa

Trude and i had lunch with Liane and Jane at Jane's lovely place in Whangaparoa.
Driving up there brought back a lot of memories for us as this area was our first impression of New Zealand when we moved aboard Vela Dare at Gulf Harbor Marina back in 1994.
It was a lovely afternoon of friends, food, wine, sunshine, music and the great view across the Hauraki Gulf.

Easter Hamilton Music Festival 2012

Trude and i were heading south at dawn in order to avoid the infamous Easter weekend traffic out of Auckland. The plan paid off. Even though the traffic was heavy it was moving at least to the speed limit. After a leisurely breakfast in Morrinsville we were setting up the tent by 10AM at the Matamata Race Course. Despite a forecast of severe storms we ended up with a beautiful early autumn weekend.
Trude spent one night in Tauranga with her friend Liane where they attended a concert featuring Keb Mo and Earth Wind & Fire.
I was in a weird mood all weekend, feeling like an alien on the planet, and so didn't take many photos.
Link Mail, our mate fresh in from the Cook Islands (ooo what a tan!) and whom we always camp near at this festival, provided good company and lots of laughs.
Naisha and her mates provided a youthful perspective on it all.
The costumes on display for the Sunday Brunch were a hoot and i'm sorry i didn't take lots of photos of that.

Louise and Josca Get Married

It was nice to be traveling again with Emily and BB as we headed up to The Hokianga for Louise and Josca's wedding. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful and heartwarming event. They put on a great wedding and a great party at the reception in Kohu Kohu. It was nice to be on stage again and performing with Emily and BB.

Next morning, after sleeping in a couple of hours beyond what we planned, we just made it onto the ferry in time to take the west coast road south through the kauri forest and back to Auckland.

Photos: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108481211284683809830/albums/5737140636737974433

Larry's Trial

I took advantage of a fine weather day to ride The Beast south for a couple of hours to watch Larry compete in a vintage trials bike competition. Larry has been doing this for years on his Triumph Tiger Cub but this was my first time see it in action. I was impressed by how physical this is for the riders, even though it is more of a skills test than a speed one. If you look at the photos, Larry is the one with the red helmet.

It was a lovely day for a ride through some of beautiful rural New Zealand.

Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/108481211284683809830/120303LarrySTrial

Northland

I rode The Beast up to Northland and stayed with Larry and Karon for a couple of days. We had lunch with Harmen and Julie one day and with Kim and Sally the next. Karon cooked some fab dinners and i gave Larry some pointers with his bass playing and computer.

Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/108481211284683809830/120227Northland

Avocadotious 2012

Trude and i were fortunate to participate in a weekend gathering at the Holme's residence, near Tauranga. There were plenty of good friends, good food, good music, good weather and an over abundance of avocados from their orchard. If you've ever wondered what an avocado tree looks like then check out the photos.

Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/108481211284683809830/Avocadotious

Auckland Folk Festival 2012

A large part of the last month has been devoted to preparing for the Auckland Folk Festival. My bluegrass band "Wires & Wood" (www.wiresandwood.co.nz) were featured guests this year and we felt compelled to be well rehearsed before taking the stage in front of the home town crowd.
I also spent some time helping Trude's band "The Roswells" prepare for their performance in the invitational concert. All their hard work paid off and they stole the show, swinging their thing on stage (see photos).
It was a fine weekend of jamming, performing, hosting workshops, and catching up with lots of friends.

Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/108481211284683809830/120129AucklandFolkFestival

Final Tweaks to Take The Hypotenuse

The final tweaks to Diane Ponzio's "Take The Hypotenuse" album were completed today. Diane is an amazing musician and songwriter and it has been an exciting, challenging and rewarding experience to record and mix this project over the past month. It should be available for purchase in two or three months time. I highly recommend it.

Diane and her music make this world a better place.

Tahora Music Festival 2011-2012

It was another great Tahora Music Festival. Even though it rained nearly constantly for six days we still managed to have good time jamming, socializing, reading and just generally hanging out. I managed to get a few photos for the few hours that it wasn't raining - on the first day and during the mock battle.
This is an enchanted place and an amazing musical community that it is a privilege to be a part of.

Photos: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108481211284683809830/albums/5706214356149489569