Camps

Perhaps in anticipation and preparation for three days and nights of heavy duty folk music camping in the 'sunny' Grampians this coming weekend with a couple of hundred assorted musicians, eclectic genres, instruments and children that I thought today of that old Gene Autry song Back in the Saddle Again. Put on the howdy cowdy hat, get in some moonshine and Slim Pickens is ready to ride the range once more on his old cayoose. Yippy-o-tay-ay!  read more »

Warm thanks go out to the generous and friendly folk of Guildford in Central Victoria for organising and running the 4th Annual Guildford Banjo Jamboree. Despite a rainy three hour drive to get there, the weather cleared up until mid Sunday afternoon. The cold nights were made tolerable by the CFA boys who gave us a fire place and wood to burn in it.

It was great to catch up with friends old and new and to hear lots of great sessions. Saturday night was my personal favorite - seeing Pa Coates and the Loddon River Ramblers before retiring to the campfire around 11.00 pm and an unexpected session singing Townes Van Zandt songs with a couple of young folk I'd never met before. Even Yardup managed to stay up until after midnight and knock back a couple of shots of whiskey.  read more »

The Guildford CFA boys provided us with a rotating fireplace made from an old front-loading washing machine and an ample supply of sugar-gum firewood.

As well as providing warmth in the near zero temperature night air, the camp fire attracted a passing parade of friendly visitors, and provided endless hours of rotational entertainment.