1/5/12

Early start today as I was on the team with Paul, DJ, Greg, Luke, Pete and Rebecca to go and collect more hay bales from a nearby property.
It was good to go for a drive through the mountains to get to the property and Luke gave us a bit of a rundown on what's around the area and other things.
I really enjoyed sitting back and taking it all in and being on a farm reminded me of my grandparents farm as a kid which I loved so much.
After some breakfast, I was allocated compost duty with Mark.
This compost was FOUL, neither of us were prepared for the stench and I nearly dry retched but soon got used to it.
It seems like we're going to be fed breakfast, lunch and dinner all week so that's really cool.
After lunch, Pete and I went around the Festival site, erecting the bamboo flags about the place. Pete seems like a pretty down to earth and easy going dude. He's a bit of a Jack of all trades, even scaling a tree to install an Avatar.

Would you believe I am yet to see the Avatar movie? How good could it be, really.

The festival site is slowly starting to take shape with everyone working on their own little projects.

Michael, Lee, Dan, DJ and Stu admiring their handy work on the main stage

After dinner I went and got Fred and we had a bit of a listen to a jam that was taking place after dinner in the "Chai House".

30/4/12

After a morning meeting, I was put to work with Peter and Paul (no Mary), cutting and cleaning up bamboo poles for the flags that will be put up around the Festival site.
Having to wield a machette made me feel quite manly in a "that's not a knife" kinda way.

Peter and Paul putting up one of the many flags

Doing this took us up to midday and we had a break for lunch where a beautiful array of food was put on for us to refuel.
After lunch I went down to the front gate where I met Claire who seems pretty nice, Rob who seems like a pretty laid back character and Fred who seems to insist on being called "Ranga".

Fred (or Ranga), Claire and Rob

Soon after, a truck load of hay bales arrived so I helped to unload them.
There was nothing much more to do today so I was encouraged to go and check out the waterhole/creek which was absolutely beautiful.

What a lovely setting for a Festival

Setting slightly spoilt by a man in flannel

After a shower, I went over to Fred's camp and had a beer then another beaut dinner was put on for us all.
It was then back to Fred's camp for more beer and a chat. He's a Pom and is turning out to be quite a character.
This is his first time at a festival and first time camping. Apparently he went to BCF before coming here and just went to town buying what seems like half the store! How he fitted it all in his car I don't know.
He's even got a hammock and base which is proving to be quite a good thing to kick back and chill out in - very comfy.

29/04/12

When I awoke today I was actually able to see where I had parked and realised I was quite fortunate to not have been bogged in the sand.

Freda in the sand...

The plan today was to make Mackay for lunch then head about 50km north of Mackay to the Wintermoon Festival site where I am volunteering.
Despite my previous poor experiences with McDonalds free wi-fi, I decided to chance it again and fortunately, Maccas Rockhampton wi-fi is actually pretty good! Bonus!!
After checking my emails I went down to the Marina to check out the beach and have some lunch.

Peanut butter and palm trees at Mackay

After picking up some supplies I was then off to the Wintermoon Festival site which will be my home for the next week or so.
When I got there it was pretty much a ghost tent city. People started arriving a few days ago, set up their tents and then left again for the week and will return next Friday when the Festival kicks off.
When I got there I was greeted by Peter on the front gate who was very friendly and welcoming.
I then went on to meet Jenny and Chris who is one of the main organisers and he helped find me a spot to park Freda which is in a great spot close to the stages, showers, toilets and people -schweet!

Freda nicely nestled away in her home for the next week or so at Wintermoon

Chris is one of the main organisers and a lovely bloke

Later that day I met a whole host of other people including Harmony who is the volunteer co-ordinator, Luke, Rebecca, Andrea, Greg and Sarah. Everyone seems really nice, warm and welcoming so hopefully I'm in for a good week.