Plettenberg Bay: 8 - 10 December '08

   

STARLING VILLAGE BACKPACKERS: 8 December 08

This is not the first time we are visiting Starling Village, but we're sure it will be a much warmer stay this time i'm sure! During our very cold winter Roadtrip this year, we were SO grateful for Starlings warm atmosphere and cozy fireplace in the middle of the entertainment area. Matthew and Vicky (owners) really had a huge part in inspiring our current tour, and have been so supportive of our band since the last time we were there, so we are all really looking forward to reconnecting with them and giving what we can into Joy Community Development Project, of which Matthew is the Chairman.

After our 3 hour gig at Knysna Woodmill Lane, we headed straight towards Plettenberg Bay with excitement and anticipation. We were all really looking forward to seeing Matthew and Vicky from Starling Village Backpackers, its been four months since we last saw them. We were greeted with such enthusiasm (and tequila), the party started before we'd even started setting up! What a night! Starling Village was WAY busier than the last time we were here, it IS season after all! Summer time - and the Matric Rage is on in full force, there were young school leavers everywhere, outside the tents were up and fires burning, inside they were playing table tennis, pool, and drinking games.

It was a late night for us, a crazy night! The stars are so bright out at Starling Village, but i felt quite guilty that i was enjoying sitting around a huge fire outside after the gig, when i knew that at the same time, back home in Gordons bay, there was a huge mountain fire destroying everything in its path, including some beautiful homes and very nearly destroying my parents home.

STARLING: PART II: 9 December 08

On our way to Starling for the second time our stomachs were all churning slightly at the thought of yet another crazy night like the night before. The thought that we needed to pace ourselves crossed my mind quite strongly, as i realised this is just the beginning of the tour, and we still have quite a way to go over the next 2 weeks. Nevertheless, the show did go on, and the party rocked once again!

I had an amazing suprise when Natalie Shaked walked in halfway through the first set. Natalie and i were in a show together in Observatory about 2 years ago and i havn't really seen her since. It wasn't long before i invited her up to entertain us with some of her beautiful songs - this girl has a voice like honey! As the night progressed, and we played and partied, i asked Natalie what she's doing in Plettenberg Bay, and found that she had just arrived back from globe trotting and was quite a free agent at the moment. . after the gig we sat around the HUGE fire pit outside, jamming, hanging out with her and her friends James and Heinrich.

It didn't take much for me to ask : 'do you want to join us for the rest of the tour' - within an hour it was agreed that Natalie and Heinrich (her friend) would follow us up in another car THE NEXT DAY - logistics were worked out and the plan was made! I LOVE spontaneity!

Thankfully Nick had politely and soberly offered himself as 'driver' for the night. By the time Kirsten and myself had gotten to the camper van, Simone and Nick had already found their own comfortable spots in the back and were sleeping. We woke Nick up, reminded him - he was the driver - jumped in the van and headed back to our house. HW

SURF CAFE 10 December 08

What a night! And what a venue! The band had a great supper (a cooked meal very welcome at this stage of the tour!) and played a very chill set to some very chill people! Clayton (owner) is an absolute legend, everytime i looked towards the entrance, Clayton was standing there grinning from ear to ear - lank funny! This is such a cool live music venue, and we can't WAIT to get back here on the 23rd !

SURF CAFE 23 December 08

What a corker of a night!! I think more noise was coming from the audience than from us...quite overwhelming!

All our supporters from Starling Village were there, some familiar faces of peeps that we've connected with along the route of our tour and some! This is the last gig of our tour and it was a smasher! I was so high on the adrenalin, kirsten too (although i think she had some Redbull earlier) - Nick was on Top FORM...even though we were all exhausted (of the travelling but also of each other - the campervan is only THAT big....and it HAS been 3 weeks...) tonight : everything was just perfect!