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Country in the Courtyard
16.01.06: Country folk made me feel so welcome, they got me to draw the raffle, join them on stage and invited me to BBQs etc.! How nice! 12/13.01.06
After a fun-filled week with Andrew, I flew back to Sydney and the next day I caught a 5 hour train to Tamworth. A week early for the infamous Country Music Festival began, I intended to get a job to see me through the festival. I had completed my Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course to assist me, but I ended up with a position that involved giving air-brush tattoos to the public during the festival. The days were long but fun and I made sure I made up for the work by partying hard in the evenings!
My accomodation during the festival was a bunkbed in the open-air car-port of the YHA. I didn't meet many fellow backpackers, as I generally came in after them and got up before them! Before the festival, the only people staying at the hostel were those heading for the Jackeroo/Jilleroo courses at the weekends. I hung out with a few of these, and stayed in touch with a couple, such as the lovely Pommie, Sarah! Other than these dudes, I was befriended by Joyce, the hostel cleaning lady, who I initially invited to 'country in the courtyard' as I wasn't yet accustomed
Tongue piercing
Now a week old, the new addition to ME! Crazy things happen in Melbourne... to investigating alone, and I was very appreciative of the company.
15.01.06
During this small and personal evening of musical talent, which took place outside Tamworth Country Music Museum, I was approached by the friendly musicians and audience and made to feel more than welcome. When it came to the raffle, they asked if anyone was from the Isle of Wight (woo yay!) and also got me up the front once more, for the finale! By the end of the night everyone knew me and came up for a chat. Already won over by the country-style hospitality, I felt refreshed and alive as I headed for bed that warm Sunday evening!
To Joyce I was called Joy (my middle name) and this is how she introduced me, telling people we brought joy (apparently we both smile as we say Hello!) and she introduced me to the local pubs (and locals) of Tamworth. We hung out on a few occasions and caused trouble together regularly!!
Sometimes working 11 hour days, I made sure I got the odd night's proper sleep, but The Imperial Hotel (Impy) across the road tended to blast their music til the early hours so
Off to become Jilleroos!
Most of the people staying at the YHA are there for the Jack/Jilleroo courses. Here are Josie, Carla, Sarah and me (in my PJs) saying byeee! I figured I may as well join the party eh? Earplugs came in handy on a few nights though!
I met some interesting people including Michael, who took drove me around on my only day off. He is producing a film about Jimmy Little - a very famous, now very old, country singer. Michael drove me to some very cool pubs that I couldn't normally reach by foot. He was only around for 2 days, on his way to Sydney, but we had fun hanging out.
I also met Kaneb, very unexpectedly, on my way back into the hostel after a night in the pub being spun around by cowboys... his brother heard my English accent and I joined them on a couple of nights for some drinks at the Impy, and for Kaneb's birthday. He had travelled Europe through rugby, and had played for Scotland so we had some stories to share.
Our tattoo stall was inside a shop and on the stalls around us were Miguel (Portuguese/Ozzie) and Ciao on t-shirts; Jenny (my surrogate Mum) on jewelry and her husband John with his table of intriguing puzzles! We all had a good time in between
Joy & Joyce
We bring Joy! My Tamworth buddy and hostel worker! serving our customers... who also brought some laughs as the requested tattoos and areas of appliance were often quite amusing! We tattooed many happy customers, from 3 years to 83 years of age!! :-)
My colleague was usually Karola, our boss Andrew, but we also hung out with Danielle, Ben (Karola's boyfriend) and his sister Rachel.
Each night I would venture out on the town. I really enjoyed the buzz and listening to the many live bands at various pubs and in the park. I found them to be very down to earth, and even the most famous (Aussie) singers found time to come on down and hang out with their audience and fans, which was such a lovely experience. My hat was glad to finally get some use and the odd autograph!
At the end of the 10 day festival I took some time to chill, use the 50m outdoor pool (which every Aussie town has, a major highlight for me!) and made some phonecalls to arrange a fruit picking job on a nearby farm (1hr away) in an attempt to complete my 3 months harvesting work and acquire my extra year Working Holiday Visa, having
Sarah & me
A fellow pom and new found friend, I met up with Sarah a few times as she worked out on another farm as a jilleroo after her course :0) realised the time was flying by and I'd only seen half the country!!
30.01.06
The next morning I was collected by Lothar, owner of a Koolkuna Berries. Check out the next chapter to learn more!
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