22/04/2015
“Well Howdy you all “ Things are A Okay here in our “Hokio Paradise” and it looks like we have had quite a bit of rain over the weekend while we were away in Auckland .It rained over night and no swimming for me even thou I was up early as usual . I have said in the past It’s great to go away and it is great to be back in your own farter and bed and to be able to lay back and sleep in front of the T V in my lazy chair.
Our latest “Pounamu Adventure” started with Geoff Herewini picking Elaine and I up here at Tui Glen at 6-15am on Thursday morning and then we were off to pick up Glenyse and her side kick Margret from Hokio Sands Road and it was still dark and cold when we arrived to find brother Todd & others with all their Luggage stacked up outside Teresa’s & Geoff’s front fence .As the bus hadn’t arrived it was inside to keep warm .When the bus arrived with our driver “Peter “it was Hoki Mai with all the luggage and a quick “Hop on “then we were off to pick up the rest of our members waiting at Farmers car park then it was off to Foxytown to pick up “HI gene “and then we were on our way north .Our first mimi hill was at the new toilets in Bulls complex next to the B P .Then it was back on the bus with all our chickens clucking away with excitement as was travel north to Turangi where we had lunch at our favourite Bakery Yum yum !While we were waiting Todd & I found the local op shop where we brought 2 jean jackets and Toddy brought a good pillow with a case for a
$1-00 and he said that would be good to place against the cold window on the bus .The we were off to Taupo and another stop in Tokoroa to mingle with the local’s at mimi hill number three, who were waiting for their bus .We arrived at our motel at Papakura just before 5-00 pm and settled in before it was time to go to dinner at the Munurewa R S A and we got lost and some kind Indian guys helped us get back on the right track . When we arrived Larry Cottor and his lovely wife were there to make us feel at home and welcome as they were parked up in the car park and they thought they were locals by then .We had a lovely dinner and there was heaps and the meat was nicely cooked and up to Elaine’s high standard for a change .We had a good time and some of our line dancers were able to strut our stuff and then have a sing along in the bar next door .Then it was back to our motel in Takanini and we relaxed before bed .
Friday Todd & I rose early and it was off to the countdown to get groceries for breakfast and we were told that it was 5 minutes down the road .more like 25 minutes So away Todd & I went and on the way looked around at the new Sanngsoog ute’s and vans ..After shopping we loaded our trolley and heading back to the motel as we passed a feiojawa tree with all the ripe fruit that had fallen onto the ground ,so we filled a bag and carried on to the op shops. We weren’t there very long then in came some of our ladies who had dropped in for a look see also .When we got home we were hot and it was swim time in the pool and Todd lied , He said it’s not cold as he was in first IT WAS Bloody freezing but okay after a while and it was okay and it sure freshened us up !
After breakfast we were on the bus and we went to the Munurewa mall for the ladies to have a look around and after half an hour I had had enough of looking at stuff I didn’t want to buy .So we just sat around waiting to go back to have another swim and lay down .That night we went back to the same R S A to have dinner and a Fund raiser concert was put on by “Country Magic & Friends “ They had a band and I’m sure they had a good time .Some of us stayed next door for the Maorioki and Heather and I entered in the final heat and we got through to the finals but we withdrue as we wouldn’t be there for the finals and we only went in to boost the numbers and we wished the others all the best for the finals .We went home early as we had to be up early next morning .
Todd and I were up and Atom at 3-00am and we had a swim to wake ourselves up before a light breakfast .I had a cuppa and then started getting ready .We had to be on the bus at 7-00am and we were away to the venue which was in Papakura at “The Hawkins Centre “and this was a really nice venue to bad about the wet weather that swamped the outside market .I was third on in the Veteran Male audition at 8-10am and I sang “I’ll Leave this world loving you “and it went well .I Changed into casual clothes as my next audition wasn’t until the afternoon at 4-15 pm in the “Veteran Western” and I sang The bake bean song “The Wayward Wind “and this went well too bloody surprising really Next was “Veteran Gospel “and I sang “Padre “ this went well and this got me through to the finals .I was put through to the finals in all three classes. Mirianata and Baz Cooper travelled up separately as Baz had to work and it was good to see them there bushy tailed and ready to go Mirianata got through to the finals in the” Senior female” as did Geoff Herewini in the “Senior Male” and Lia Raukawa in” 60+ Novice” and in the “Senior Group/Duo Geoff & Teresa entered as “Double Blend” It was sad to hear that another of our Pounamu members Antonio Orr wasn’t able to be with us as he is in Hospital and we hope he is back and up and Atom soon !The band and the whole organisation this being there 35th running of the event were on the ball and had us thru The Auditions a good 55 minutes ahead of time and that meant we could go next door to the Papakura R S A for dinner early which was very nice . Then on to the” Hoe down” in the lounge where there was a band set up & ready to go ,together with their line dancers .The place was hopping and it was good to see it was packed and we all had a good time .Catching up with old friends and meeting new ones also. There was a lot of singers making it happen up on the stage together with a number of H***y Blowers getting into it with the band. A good night was had by all with our ladies letting their hairs down, just like “Rapansell” It’s good to see our lot having fun! But like all good things it had been a long day and it was time to leave and we able to sleep in next morning as we didn’t have to be at the venue till 9-15am for the finals .This time we got our driver to let us off at the top of the hill instead of at the bottom .That ment we didn’t need to lug our gear back up to the top, up all the stairs .I didn’t know that the order of performances wasn’t the same as the day before and I had come dressed for Vet Male and had to do a quick change into Vet Western .They usedthee guitarist “ Alf” as the rhythm setter and this allows the entrant to get their key and tempo right and any other bits and pieces on their chord charts up front so the band have all the info there for when we enter onto the stage .The band as far as I was concerned was excellent and they really were up to the task placed before them .Well done guy’s ! In the finals the Junior s, Intermediates, Seniors Then I was on in Vets Western Final with Trevor Hutchinson and I. The song WE had selected to sing was “They call the wind Maria “ and that went well . The venue was packed and that was good to see .The sound over the mikes was A1 and the audio man knew his stuff because he or she can make or break your performance in any awards. Next up in our lot was Lia Raukawa in the “60 plus Novice” and she sang “You lied to me “and that went well also and I yelled out that “I Never ! “ Then it was on to “Senior Male “ with Geoff Herewini singing and making a good job of “Waltz of the Angels” then it was back to me in the Vets Gospel and out I came in my white jacket and NO HAT! I sang “He Gave Me A Mountain” with an arrangement put together by Geoff and his son Duane and it was different and the band followed it to a “T” and I was very pleased with the judges and the Crowd’s reaction .It does feel good when a plan comes together!
I was on after the lunch break in the “VETS Male” and when I walked onto the stage with a thousand and one things running through my mind .the M C was talking and I didn’t hear him announce me to sing and Dion in the band said “Bro your on “so I walked out in “The Green Jacket “ {yes Walter that’s the one } and I started to introduce my song by Gene Watson and I forgot what it was called .So I told the audience that it was the alsimers kicking in and I had to go back to the band and they told me it was” My Farewell Party “so when I told the audience they were all invited To “My Farewell Party “that seem to do the trick .The song when well and I was pleased to be able to “GET OFF “ and rest my leg as it had been giving my heaps all weekend .But as they say “The Show Must Go On.” More Meds and less line dancing next time maybe .Next car off the rank was Mirianata Cooper in Senior Female singing Her original Song written by Baz “Leave your keys on the table “and this went well for her .then it was time for Senior Duo/group with The Whanau and Double blend and Geoff& Teresa Singing their hearts out to the audiences and judges delight.
Some may not be a where that if you sing well at our club we will tell you to “Get off “because next thing some will say why not sing another and another and we have big amounts of singers to get through and we only tell each other to “GET OFF “if they are any good .This has become our Call sign!
Prizegiving
I received the Auckland Country Music Awards” Veteran Western “Winners Trophy together with a miniature trophy to keep and a Cash envelope.
Next I received the Auckland Country music Awards “Veteran Gospel” Winners Trophy together with a miniature trophy to keep and a cash envelope.
Then it was time for the Auckland Country Music Awards “Russell Stuart Memorial trophy 2006 Veteran Male Solo “Winners Trophy with a miniature trophy to keep and cash envelope.
Next was Senior Male with Geoff Herewini being placed Runner up in this class well done Geoff.
Then it was Senior Female and Mirianata Copper was the runner up in this class and a big smile to her.
The last of our Pounamu members to perform were “Double Blend “With Geoff & Teresa performance they took out the winner’s trophy in this class and then to top it all off they got through to “The Entertainer Of the year show “that will be held in Rotorua in October later this year .Well done to them and we will be taking a bus up so put your name down to come along now.
After the big high it was back to the Count Down to stock up on booze and food for dinner and it was swim time for Todd and I when we got back to the Motel while the others partied hearted and had a good time .Teresa and others went right thru to late next morning .”I Can Remember When “I would boat & helicopter race with the best of them ,but these days there is no go in the tank .A good night on the turps and it would take me a week to recover .Isn’t it funny how time makes you wiser !
On Monday we had a sleep in then it was on to the bus to go to Otahuhu shops to look in the Indian sari shops and see where the Auckland guys and gals get their gear and tailor made suits from. Even though we were in ASIAHUHU where did most of our lot end up in the Burger King Shop eating lunch. Some made it to the pub and other just wandered about taking in the sites .All to soon it was time to go and we went back for a swim and then just relaxed and packing for our return trip home the next day .
Up and atom with Todd doing heaps of trips to the Bus from our room with our luggage and then Geoff taking the final bag there for us thanks Geoff for all your helping hands .Before we left we had a group photo next to the bus with lots of laughing and smiles .
The trip home was through Otorhunga and Taumaranui on the main trunk line for mimi hill and lunch before heading south again stopping at Huntersville mim hill and then dropping Hi gene in Foxton and the others at farmers then on to unload the bulk at Geoff & Teresa’s .Todd & I helped unload the bus before loading our bags into Geoff’s van with a drop off at G & M’s on Hokio sands road then on to Tui Glen and even though the gates were locked the still looked good to us .It was cold here so on went the heaters .Then Walk in unpack and put the bags back in the shed for next time all the dirty washing in the machine and unpack the food Then Elaine made us a nice hot soup for dinner . Then it was show me that lazy boy chair and where’s that remote T V control .Aye it’s good to be home and know that I can sleep in till 5-00 am tomorrow morning. A Big thanks you to all those who made it happen for us including Peter the bus pointer.”Driver move that bus “
Don’t forget that Riverdale CMC is on this Friday at Newbury st in Palmy starting at 7-00 pm and Double Blend are playing at the Foxton RSA from 11am till 4-00 pm for ANSAC DAY and the Tip a reary and Friends are playing at The Otaki RSA also for the Veterans on ANSAC day . The Foxton Country& Variety is on this coming Sunday starting at 1-00pm and this should be good also .
Well that’s my lot six now so stay safe and don’t forget to take your meds! SEEYAA. Later cos I gotta ‘Get off”.
