Friday March 21, 2025
I woke up Friday and decided to give yoga a miss and rest in bed and concentrate on getting better. My stomach was still not 100%. I had to get to Speedy Spanners and sign a form to help the registration process of my caravan. With that done, I came back home and rested some more then practiced for the gig that night at the Cruising Yacht Club in Rockingham. Shane and Jill Argent said they were going to make it to the gig but wouldn’t be there until towards the end. I arrived around 5pm to load in and set up. The afternoon sun was glorious, and the weather immaculate at the club. Neil and Maureen Argent arrived and sat up the back along with their other friends. After I set up, I ordered dinner. Northwest snapper was the flavour of the month at the club. I sat and ate the delicious food with Neil and Maureen, Neil telling his jokes and having a beer whilst I wolfed down my food. Pretty soon, it was time to commence playing at 6:30pm. I started with a Paul Kelly song and then an original, then a cover, then an original. This went on for an hour, and I decided to have a well-deserved break. I felt satisfied with my performance and sat with Neil and Maureen, chatting to them and sipping on my second mid-strength pint. That was enough alcohol for me as I had to drive home after the show. I commenced the second set, quietly strumming away in the background. Just then, Shane and Jill arrived in jovial spirits. I waved from behind the mic as they sat near Neil and Maureen. Pretty soon, at 9:30pm, the show was over. I chatted with the Argents and friends and had great comments from a nearby group of customers saying, “You were brilliant, Hayden.” Thanks all round as I packed the equipment and headed for home and the comfort of my bed.
Saturday, March 22, 2025.
A double header today: Dawesville morning markets. Up at 5:30am, quick breakfast, and off in the van. Another amazing day. I was set up in no time and found myself strumming just after 8am. The smell of coffee, sizzling bacon and donuts is a delightful experience as I strummed away under the morning shade of the reserve. It was a little less busy than usual. The crab fest the week prior may have been the reason for that, with everyone spending their cash there and being not so financial this week. Nevertheless, with a good earn in my tip jar, I packed away my gear and was heading home around 12:45pm.
The afternoon gig wasn’t until 5:30pm, so I went home to Jarrahdale and had a late lunch and a quick nap and felt recharged enough to head to the Pinjarra Exchange Hotel to set up. I arrived in plenty of time. The afternoon was glorious, and I found myself strumming away through three sets of songs that kept the customers entertained from inside the bar. I packed away my equipment and was home again, ready to cook dinner and watch some television before early bed time
Sunday March 23, 2025
Next day, another double header and an early morning event at Honeywood markets. I arrived and saw Tony and Jodie setting up gazebos and umbrellas. I quickly said hello, ordered a sensational coffee, and commenced strumming just after 8am. A reasonable earn in my tip jar, I was ready to pack up and go visit Shirley. She was home after her double hip operation. I arrived at her house around 1pm and was greeted at the door by her two Staffordshire terriers. Rex and Honey were bustling balls of energy as I patted them and calmed them down. I found Shirley on her feet, shuffling around the house on crutches. She put the kettle on and made a cup of tea, and I helped her set up Netflix on her TV so she could waste the hours away while she rested and recovered in bed. Soon, I had to get going to my next event at the Last Local pub in Canningvale. I arrived and pulled up in the loading zone just near the building. I trolleyed my gear to the spot just inside the door. The scene was busy, and the footy was on the big screen. I set up and could smell the sickening cigarette smoke coming from the beer garden, which was less than a metre away. Yuck, I thought to myself. I went inside and enjoyed a complimentary Sunday roast, ate half, and doggy-bagged the rest. The food was amazing with Yorkshire pudding and drowned in delicious gravy. My cousin Edie and her friend Sue dropped in to see the show. They arrived with smiles and sat not far from me. Soon, it was time to commence playing. The footy was still on the big screen, so I strummed at moderate volume and inhaled the second-hand smoke for the duration of the gig. Not happy, but the show must go on and a contract to be fulfilled. I packed my equipment up and headed for home, saying goodbye to Edie and Sue. My clothes reeking of smoke. I arrived home, showered, and was ready to relax and unwind. Five gigs in three days is a lot but I’ll take what I can get to keep the Wolfes away.
This ends my blog, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Have a great day and stay safe out there.