Queenscliff Music Festival, yes the pix are pretty weak, but the best I can offer, unfortunately. Maybe the blurry photo is indicative of what a whirlwind soul diva Betty Harris is on stage. Not bad for late 60s.

Our set was a mellow affair at 12:30 in the afternoon (arvo) on the Fishnets Stage. We had about 50 people there, a bit of applause, and played decently enough so as not to lose any sleep.

It was a multi-venue festival, and thus we could wander form stage to stage checking out a variety of music. We also had VIP status, meaning we could get a couple of free drinks in an area adjacent to the main stage, which unfortunately had terrible sightlines, but made for easy access to the front. I didn't really recognise anyone in the VIP area, perhaps if I knew the Aussie scene better I would have. Instead, I chatted with people Tammy and Eliza knew from the music scene, including Rae, my trumpet predecessor in Royalchord. She is a pianist and composer in addition to trumpet work, and has done residencies in Banff and Florida (with Sam Rivers). Full on.

Highlights of the festival were Betty Harris; Mihirangi, a Maori singer who incorporates sung loops and beats into her tunes; the Blues Train, an old steam train in which each carriage had a blues guy on acoustic guitar, and half-way through the trip the passengers change cars and thus entertainment; LABJACD, a nine piece funk-latin band with KILLER trumpet players; Fourplay, a string quartet doing modern works and covers of Radiohead; jazz quintet Baartz Freeman, whose piano player blew me away; and RnB band Blue King Brown, who I only managed to catch a bit of because it had been a really long day by that point.

Sunday was spent sleeping in, and enjoying the sun, since the previous day at the festival had been a bit cool and rainy. Also dragged myself into the mindset that I was about to leave the country, and made the final preparations for that, sitting on the suitcase, etc. We had a little barbie, and watched the epic finale of Australian Idol, the series which has been dogging me throughout Australia. Damien, the Irish dude, won it. Your fifteen minutes have started.

As I watched the over-the-top fireworks above the Sydney Opera House, I realized that this was the end for me as well, at least the Australian portion. It still hasn't sunk in, though today as I write this, the butterflies are starting to flit. The Melbourne stay was an introspective affair, essentially what I was seeking, though not in the manner I expected. It has given me much to think "aboot", as well as the urge to get back out on the road, and spin my head around the in other direction. Despite wanting to get back and begin forging a regular life for myself, I'm happy that Norm and Karen talked me into continuing my journey after all.

In a couple of minutes I'm going to hand in my keys, grab my bags, and pull the gate shut behind me. A final meal with Annie and Lee, and then I'm on a plane. For the two of you still reading this, thanks for staying with me. Drop me a line! Maintaining this blog in any sort of fashion has been difficult, though at times offered a bit of sanity too. I'm not sure if I will do it for Asia as well, since I don't know what the Net access or travel preoccupation will be like. Check here first, and if I start a new one, I'll post the address here.

As Aunt Katie put it (pandkgoskiing.blogspot.com), that's a wrap. Thanks, Ta, Conrad