15th to the 17th November.

We headed down to Dwellingup at about 11.00 a.m., stopping at the Serpentine Roadhouse for lunch. We sat inside as it was slightly chilly and windy outside. The breakfast wrap was a bit disappointing as it was very oily. It must have had margarine or butter on it, I’m not sure what the problem was. The coffee was good though.

By the time we reached Dwellingup it was about 2.30 p.m. We were asked to wait until 3.00 p.m. to go into Banksia Springs, and it was almost 3.00 p.m. when someone came up behind us, forcing us to go in. Still, we didn’t feel too bad as we had at least waited.

We chose a spot that was fairly flat, though we put risers under the front wheels for a bit more comfort. As the afternoon wore on we realised that we were quite lucky with our position as more and more vans came in, some very large. We could have been boxed in, but no one parked behind us, leaving us feeling pretty good about accidentally finding such a good parking place.

We mostly stayed in the Sherwood during the rest of the time. Stephen had had a cold for a few days and wasn’t feeling the best. He was also wondering if he was infectious. In the end, we just went down to the concert room in the evening and stayed outside in the beautiful patio area they had set up. We could see the musicians and dancers and hear quite well thanks to the outside speakers.

We gave up early and went back to get ready for bed. I’ve put the table back at the dinette, but in such a way that it is easy to get out, put in the extra cushion, and top it with my bed roll. We did this each of the nights we were away and it wasn’t really a lot of trouble, though I wish the table wasn’t so heavy. It meant we could sleep separately, something I wanted to do as I was still concerned that I might catch Stephen’s cold. As it happens, it’s now a week later, he is still coughing and blowing his nose lots, and generally feeling under the weather, but I haven’t caught it from him. Thankfully!

In the morning we were ready for the usual cooked breakfast at 8.00 a.m. We actually arrived at about 8.15 a.m. when it was already underway, but at least the volunteers had had a bit of a rest from the first rush. This is one of the traditions of the festival and is a chance to socialise with some of the approximately 100 other participants.

The first event of the day was a memorial for Eleanor, who passed away recently. They were not sure if Bernard would make it, but he did, not leading the event, but participating. Pam roped the Working Voices folk, about eight members and former members, to sing Bernard’s song Sacred Place, and he led us playing the guitar. He also did a guitar solo, a piece he said he practiced at Eleanor’s bedside whilst she was dying. One of the songs that was part of the memorial was the Beatle’s number with the line here, there and everywhere, and he said that is how he feeling about her at the moment, that he feels her presence.

I’m feeling that as well due to having sat with her over lunch about three weeks ago and having quite a long chat. Bernard had a full day of work and had asked Cherry to organise a roster for those of us who live nearby to sit with her. She had some soup which I heated up and the reason we sat together so long was that she was determined to finish it.

After lunch we went to the Blackboard Concert that is held outdoors in a stage with canopy of vines and trees. The acts were mostly good and it gives all participants a chance to perform if they wish.

There was the usual bar selling drinks, unfortunately their coffee machine wasn’t working. We bought some hard ginger beer in the evening. There was also food available at lunch and dinner. The whole event was better organised than last year when it felt like they were flying by the seat of their pants. We had some good artists. I stayed for the full evening concert, but Stephen gave up at half time. He was having difficulty suppressing his cough.

On Sunday we stayed until the end of the afternoon concert before packing up. The weather over the weekend was fine and cool, sometimes with a strong, gusty wind, so actually ideal for camping and enjoying the concerts.

We followed up on our original plan to stay an extra night away, moving up the the Jarrahdale free camping area. We looked at camping higher in the campground, but ended up going to the bottom where there was a place on the concrete slab. It was the only flat space in the huge area. In the morning we had views over the bush, so it worked out well. I had been worried because we were near overflowing bins, but we didn’t have problems with a smell, fortunately.

I wasn’t sure if Stephen would want to do another night away, but it was good for me as I only drove about 60kms Sunday afternoon when I was feeling tired, and the last 50kms to Perth was in the morning. We actually drove to the local cafe in Jarrahdale to have breakfast, normally we walk there and back, but Stephen was still feeling quite poorly.

This is Saturday the following weekend and Stephen is still unwell. He pulled himself together to sing with Working Voices on Thursday night for our annual gig at the Harold Peden lecture. And we have a concert tonight, his cousin is coming as well, so he feels obliged to go even though he doesn’t feel well. But, he also doesn’t want to miss out on the concert. His cousin is elderly, but very lively. She catches taxis and we were pleased to see last time we met up with her that the taxi driver was really kind and helpful.

I saw Matt on Wednesday morning to meet with Lucinda, a trainee dietician. We had a good meeting and decided on some food supplements for Matt. I worry that he won’t be able to eat of the food his being given, but the supplements, plus 9 scoops of Sustagen per day, are really working, he is over 44kgs now, the heaviest he has ever been in his life. I keep assuring him that even if he gets up to the target weight of about 48kgs he will still be very slim and should have lots of energy. When we spoke with him via video yesterday morning he was certainly very bouncy.