Our first engagement in the southern swing of things was an interview at 7THE FM in Bellerive around 9pm. That left me with a day to settle in. My young nephew had been feeling a bit off colour and decided he couldn't go to school so Jen and I took him, instead, on a drive out through Richmond and into the city. By the time we got back to mum's it was nearly sunset and on a walk along the beach we ran into the Husky again.

Earlier, while we were still coming to terms with the day, Jen had said she had seen a dog in the yard. It happened a couple of times and each time I had a quick look but saw nothing. I figured that the gruelling holiday schedule was beginning to tell on our bass player. I decided to play it by ear and, lo, as I went out the back for a ciggie, there was a husky sitting next to the bbq.
A serial offender as it turned out and so mum said she would look after him till the council bloke came around to pick him up. We got on our way and headed off toward Richmond. Later, when we saw the husky on the beach with her owners I learned that she was forever escaping and we could probably expect to see her again at some stage. A fine looking dog and very placid temperament. Mum wouldn't mind in the slightest I don't doubt.

Not long after dinner we were winging our way over the causeways to and from Midway Point. Once you're past the airport its a quick rip into the city and as you come around the corner near the Rosny turn off you get that special view of the bridge and the mountain. Through the city from there and up the mountain, over the saddle and downward to the channel country. Margate is about five to ten minutes, depending on traffic, past the fork in the road near the antarctic institute.
And then we were winging our way back again. Up over the saddle and down the mountain into the city and beyond. Destination Bellerive. Our timing was perfect and our host arrived mere minutes behind us. In my haste I left the camera behind and was kicking myself at this lost opportunity. More's the pity as we spent the entire show as guests and played through more songs than originally intended as well as unashamedly promoting our show on Friday night at Brookfield Vineyard. After all that's what these things are for.

We left around midnight and drove slowly around the eastern shoreline before getting back onto the main road and returning Glendi to Margate. On the return trip back to Dodge's Ferry Jen and I spotted a shooting star carving an arc over Mt Nelson and just outside Sorell parked up for a few minutes to watch the moon set over Mt Wellington. I tried to take a few pics but they were a little blurry and of not much use. Still, I wasn't too disappointed with the evening. We'd certainly been given a good run at 7THE FM.
The following day was a day off and I spent it with one of my sisters and mum just catching up on family news over the last few years. After dinner I went into town to see another sister and then detoured up to Mt Wellington to see if I could get some night shots of the city. I wasn't prepared for the temperature. Minus 2.5 degrees Celsius. Brass monkey weather, and I found that I froze after a couple of minutes over exposure. Damn fine view but none of the pics came out except one of some pockets of snow hiding amongst the boulders as I travelled back down the mountain. I crossed the causeways on my way back to Dodge's Ferry with Smog, once again, blaring out of the speakers, the moon high in the west and a clear sky prefacing a good day to follow.

And the following morning was clear, for a little while. Today was moving day. I would pick Spike up from the airport, collect Glendi from Margate and we would all move down the road to Carlton Beach and set up headquarters at my sister Jane's house.
And so it went.
We had some serious rehearsal to do before Friday and the ABC and Brookfield Vineyard. Drew would be arriving on Friday morning and as luck would have it our ABC slot was moved out to drive time. This suited us perfectly as we now could run through a few songs with Drew at our leisure before heading out to the ABC and then off to Brookfield, set up, and then relax for dinner before the show. Perfect timing.

We entertained the neighbours until a reasonable hour and then called it quits for the evening. Tomorrow would be a big day for us and we needed to be on the ball. I needed to be on the ball.