Meanwhile, back at the ranch........

What a great time we had at the festival this year!  For some years now the festival has been getting bigger and bigger - this year it was pulled back in size, and was so much friendlier and easier to get round.  It was more like the festival it used to be in years gone by, and much better for that.  Let's hope it continues that way.

I was so busy having a good time that no pics were taken, would you believe!  But this afternoon I did take a few of my beautiful new ukulele, which I present for your edification.

 Isn't this a pretty little thing?

 The back and sides are of Queensland Maple, the neck is ash, and the dark fret board is lacewood.

It was expensive but worth every penny, a dream to play and it sounds wonderful.  One of the features at the festival is a display of instruments, which I have always found fascinating......so this year I went shopping, and bought my ukulele from Doug Eaton.  It was admired all weekend by many people, and last night at uke group it was a hit too.  While I'm far from being the world's best player, it makes even me sound good.

On our trip home the autumn colours were coming along nicely; next year Easter will be three weeks later than this year - so that will mean more colour, yay!

It's been a quiet few days at the Chateau des Wombats, on Monday morning Kevin went to the Big Smoke for an operation on his shoulder and will return tomorrow.  I stayed here keeping the home fires burning (not literally, it isn't that cold yet) and looking after the cats - who, by the way, were thoroughly spoiled by our house sitters.  All has gone well with the operation but somehow I don't think he has realised what life will be like being able to use only his left arm for a while......and he is very right-handed.

A feature of the festival is the number of workshops, the one on bluegrass gospel harmony singing was fun......a hundred people in a small room, by gosh we sounded great.......and a forum for broadcasters, which I attended.  Several performers popped in to the forum and distributed copies of their latest CDs which were gratefully received, so this Sunday's radio program will feature music from this year's festival and from past festivals too.  We brought eight CDs home with us but only paid for two, thanks to the generosity of said performers.

On the way home we had an interesting experience:  we stopped at a camp ground in Cowra, and late in the afternoon the manager rounded up all the guests for a 'happy hour' chat in the barbecue shed.  One woman arrived late, looked at me.....recognised me, and when she introduced herself I recognised her too......we used to play music together years ago, so later that evening she, her husband and I had a great little musical session much to the entertainment (we hope!) of the other guests.  We certainly enjoyed ourselves!

"Do not lack politeness.
Never hesitate in acts of politeness for fear they will not be recognized or returned.  One cannot be too polite so long as he conforms to rules, while it is easy to lack politeness by neglect to them.  Besides, if courtesy is met by neglect or rebuff, it is not for the courteous person to feel mortification, but the boorish one; and so all lookers-on will regard the matter."

The guests at the camp ground were very polite about our music, even singing along with us when they knew the songs we played, and were very courteous - which we appreciated.

Enjoy your days!