I had the good fortune to play on the main stage of The Auckland Folk Festival this year with my band Rainberry Pie, and for one amazing song, "Northern Cross", with Victoria Vigenser and Andrea Reid. The weather was great all weekend which facilitated heaps of jamming and socializing and a very good time was had by all. 
Trude and I, and our friend Liane, took the ferry from Auckland out to Tiritiri Matangi island. We had sailed past many times over the years and this was our day to finally visit this amazing bird sanctuary. If you ever have the chance to go there, take it and spend the extra few dollars to get a guided tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and made our visit a pleasant, informative and entertaining one. This is one project that all New Zealanders can be proud of.
We had a fabulous day of sailing in the Tall Ships regatta aboard Saskia with Kim and Sally, Larry and Karon, and Trude and I. The wind started off light and built as the day progressed, allowing all the big boats to get around the course in good time. We had good sailing, good company and as usual, a good evening party at the Russel Boating Club.
It was another great week of amazing music, great company, whacky goings on, a medieval wedding, endless jam sessions, fabulous weather, top shelf home brew, making new friends and renewing bonds with old ones. I was stoked to take delivery of my new Gretsch 6120TM and give it an inaugural play with the Tahora Blues Band.
All my photos here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/MTyFfLL3PdQS2m299
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Once again, Karon and Larry provided a fabulous feast for us at their lovely home in Waimate North. It was a great day with great food, great wine and great company. Life is good.
I made a cameo appearance on stage with The Pipi Pickers at the official launch of their CD "As Is Where Is" in the rustic Sawmill Cafe in Leigh. This is an album that I engineered and co-produced with the band. If you like bluegrass then you will like this.
