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| Friday, November 09, 2007
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Thursday, September 09, 2010
Current mood:
excited Well last night was a bit like going back in time, I have been trying to work out how long it has been since I had been to see Crowded House. From the age of 16 I saw them about 15 to 20 times in a range of venues around Melbourne, including Myers roof top, Festivil hall Sidney Myer music bowl, Tropicana club, and both down stairs and in the ball room at The Venue in St Kilda. I did attend the last show ever at The Venue which I think was the end of an era for many. Other highlights include the NYE recording of rock Arena at the ABC studios in Elsternwick.
So lets say it has been close to 18 years since I had seen them live, of course with the loss of the late and great Paul Hester I could not help but feel a little sad on the way to the gig, attending with me were of course , Kaz (a queen of boobie land) and Tommy ( a new mate) We headed of to pick of Kaz and Tommy and stopped for a champange along the way. Augie-March opened with a great set, did I have anything to do with the with the comment that someone yelled out in the silence before they started (show us your pink bits!) hmmmmm well what do you think??
I was feeling fairly average with a head cold and dozed up on cold and flu tablets, but seriously excited about having 3rd row seats!! ( thanks Kaz)
I am not going to go into the show in great detail except to say Melbourne what is it with people sitting at concerts? I was dancing in my seats at old favs that took me back to late nights at The Venue were it all started way back when. Nick Seymour is still as I remember him, I would love to have 30 mins to chat over a vodka with him. Nick always took time to speak to groups of fans male and female. I have often wondered what the band remembered from way back then. I will probably never know. Neil the ever talented song writer. Tribute to Hessie words can not describe how I feel about his passing. Life so unfair for those left behind Mardi and his girls.
I would love to go and see them again tonight that would really be reliving the past.
Thanks for a great night Crowdies and thanks David, kaz and Tommy for being there could not think of anyone I would rather have had there to share the experience.
So lets say it has been close to 18 years since I had seen them live, of course with the loss of the late and great Paul Hester I could not help but feel a little sad on the way to the gig, attending with me were of course , Kaz (a queen of boobie land) and Tommy ( a new mate) We headed of to pick of Kaz and Tommy and stopped for a champange along the way. Augie-March opened with a great set, did I have anything to do with the with the comment that someone yelled out in the silence before they started (show us your pink bits!) hmmmmm well what do you think??
I was feeling fairly average with a head cold and dozed up on cold and flu tablets, but seriously excited about having 3rd row seats!! ( thanks Kaz)
I am not going to go into the show in great detail except to say Melbourne what is it with people sitting at concerts? I was dancing in my seats at old favs that took me back to late nights at The Venue were it all started way back when. Nick Seymour is still as I remember him, I would love to have 30 mins to chat over a vodka with him. Nick always took time to speak to groups of fans male and female. I have often wondered what the band remembered from way back then. I will probably never know. Neil the ever talented song writer. Tribute to Hessie words can not describe how I feel about his passing. Life so unfair for those left behind Mardi and his girls.
I would love to go and see them again tonight that would really be reliving the past.
Thanks for a great night Crowdies and thanks David, kaz and Tommy for being there could not think of anyone I would rather have had there to share the experience.
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/lornau2/blog#ixzz0z1jYdonB
GRANDPA KIRK 1911 - 2006
What can you say about a man that has lived 94.5 years? Where do you begin with a life so varied and interesting? George Robert Neesham Kirk,husband to Christine Charlotte Ann, Father to Ian, Rosalynde and Erica Douglas, grandfather to Alan Douglas Heather Brain Lorna and Robert and great grandfather to Nicholas Breagha Laura Samantha Douglas and Jake Kirk.
The first memory I have of my grandpa was in Inverness station in 1979 I was 9 years old and we had just spent what seemed like an eternity traveling on the train from Glasgow. We were soon in the car driving to Gairloch playing cowboys and Indians with the relevant Indian noises. This game is something that would last for the next 25 years or so.
When we arrived at Spindrift, my grandparents new home, it was dark the kitchen light was on and I could see Erica and Granny in the kitchen sitting at the table Erica the organizer looking after Granny and Granny a now frail lady who was not so old in years.
We spent many months at Sprindrift attending the local primary school, during that time the shop Kirk hand weave which was 1 of 2 business that grandpa had owned was to be sold. We often went there to "help" I loved using the cash register but caused a major stuff up one day by keying in the wrong amount instead of 5 pounds 500 pounds I was in trouble!
After dinner apples were cut up and handed out and then 2 excited grandchildren would call out for monkey nuts. An eggcup would be filled with peanuts and we would be handed our quota of monkey nuts.
Many nights were spent sitting on the couch next to the thrones were granny and grandpa sat, knitting talking watching tv, getting into trouble for fighting with my brother.
We had a family Christmas in Spindrift with aunties uncles cousins grandparents, that was the first of 3 Christmas's I would spend there.
Memorable or not so memorable car journeys to Inverness down that single track road with the windows up and the pipe smoke chocking the car, heat up full. This combination was a sure fire recipe for a car sick 10 year old to spew all over his car.
We returned to New Zealand in January 1980.
I still remember the day my granny died I was 10 years old, walking home from school I knew that something had happened and deep down I knew what it was the next thing dad picked me up and told me what had happened. I remember dad on the phone to Erica saying what a wonderful woman granny was.
So there he was not long retired, perhaps six weeks and a widower, all those years of working in 2 shops building them up from nothing to quite something to be left to his retirement alone.
What could you do? Mope or get on with it and get on with it he did being an active member of Gairloch yacht club teaching young people to sail. We had been on his yacht in 1979 he was so proud of his yacht.
In the early 80's I started to learn to play the flute, grandpa being a fan of James Galway said that he would provide the flute, and so began my years of playing flute, including lining up to meet James Galway himself as a 13 year old school girl in Melbourne. We waited for what seemed like hours to have a few minutes with this amazing Irish man. Still today I love James Galway and subscribe to a group on the internet that James Galway started and regularly responds to.
The flute is something that I have re visited in the past couple of months, buying sheet music and cd's from Ebay so I can refresh myself of the pleasures of playing such a wonderful instrument.
At my 21st birthday I was given the engagement ring of Granny's, this is extremely special to me in so many ways, it was lost for 19 years in the garden I am privileged to be it's new keeper looking after it with care before Samantha is the keeper.
Grandpa turned 80 in 1991 so I decided that I would go to Scotland and surprise him for his birthday, many people expressed concern about the affect this would have on him, I was confident he would take it in his stride and that he did. After driving down Glen Docherty we arrived at Spindrift, Erica opened the door we snuck in and she opened the lounge room door and said "pa here is your first birthday surprise" Grandpa was stunned excited and very happy. We were then christened the secret service and the red Indians re appeared in full force, every where we went we had to do our red Indian call.
A while after we arrived he disappeared into the office and called his good friend and neighbor Fred Elder to tell him what had happened of course Fred already knew and he was christened a member of the secret service as well.
The following 2 weeks were filled with celebrations for the 80th birthday, lots of listening to stories being told more than once, I never minded that I was happy to be there to spend time with this amazing man who was such a positive influence on my life in spite of being 12000 miles away now in Australia.
So many funny little habits, only doing his washing on a Sunday, with his washing line positioned in a place so the village could see it, you see you don't doing washing on a Sunday, only taking a bath once a week and after a very long time in there he would emerge sparkling and saying I think I will have Bundaberg rum piped from Australia to my bath tub, I suspect he would have bathed daily if that were the case. Before bed hanging all his socks and jocks on heaters that were on timers so they were warm for him in the morning.
After taking Erica to the airport in Inverness we were told that we could relax now the manageress was gone and that he was happy to have the house back to him self so he go to the toilet with the door open, maybe too much information but it did not matter.
The time went fast in a place that was standing still in a house that was stuck in a time warp and still is to this day, and all to soon it was time to leave him, he was pretending to not to be upset by cleaning out his toaster, for people who know him you get into trouble for vacuuming after all you might wear out the carpet.
I left and returned to Australia we of course continued to correspond the typing grandpa enjoyed letters from Australia or did he enjoy checking to see if any of the stamps could be recycled.
Life went on I got married in 1995 and in 1997 Samantha Douglas was born the 4th great grand child of Grandpa Kirk. In 2001 he was to celebrate his 90th birthday, my father Jim told me whilst walking around Camberwell market that he and mum would pay for Samantha and I to make the trip to celebrate his 90th birthday.
So on December 2nd 2001 we set of from Melbourne on the long journey home leaving behind partners and grandpa Jim, 3 generations of powerful Kirk women, who had become a Berry and a Dove. The challenges of traveling with a 4 year old were not so great, we met Erica at Inverness airport with a car loaded to the top with groceries the granny and Sammy in the back, the auntie in the passenger seat and the niece driving down Glen Docherty on what seems to be the longest part of the whole journey, how that road has changed in the 25 years I have driven on it as a passenger and now as the driver.
We arrived at Spindrift of course it was dark being winter.
Grandpa did not know Samantha and I were coming to celebrate his birthday again he took this in his stride. The Red Indian games began maybe to a lesser extent as this powerful man was actually now getting old.
We spent 3 weeks at Sprindrift with grandpa watching his great granddaughter with pleasure, they did not talk much, he was not easy to talk to he was very deaf. I know that they both admired each other from what Sammy has said to me in the 4 years that have past since we were at spindrift. Judging by her reaction over the past couple of days he has had a much bigger impact than we all thought. There is sadness about this amazing young girl that I have not seen before. I know that she will be alright as he will guide both her and I in our lives.
A family party was held at the Myrtle bank hotel, I could see my grandpa over come with emotion at this time. All of his grand children were there except my brother Robert and all of the great grandchildren were there. He was an extremely proud grand father and father for that matter.
The highlight of the day was of course the hysterics of his teeth falling out as he blew out his candles; he promptly told us that he had been rehearsing that trick for 90 years.
On the day of his birthday there was an afternoon tea party at spindrift when it was time to blow out the candles he disappeared only to return with the bellows to blow out the candles. There was no way those teeth were going to make a guest appearance again. There were always hi jinks and jokes.
More funny little habits opening both doors to the out side world so the temperature of the house dropped dramatically, Aunties have fits over the doors both being open, watching "who wants to be a millionaire" and "what not to wear" thru a cloud of pipe smoke, 4 generations in the 1 room enjoying each other's company as a family. Something that I will treasure for ever.
Christmas which was another family celebration which included in the lead up and letter to Samantha from the secret service that were looking for her as she was not in Australia, luckily they found her at spindrift and could tell Santa where she was.
Stories of the war were repeated this visit we listened with interest we looked at photos he had taken at this time, he was a keen photographer and has many photos of his family around his house,
Erica left to return to Spain and soon after we left as well I think that this was one of the hardest good byes I have made.
We returned to Australia and life continued on over the next couple of years my mum made trips to grandpa who continued to drive in his 90's.
He broke all the rules drinking smoking. He told me once that he had nearly passed to the other side during the night, you can imagine my horror on hearing this, he was in fact referring to the fact that he had not finished his rum the night before, this of course was to do with the fact that he had drunk vast quantities of Spindrift cream, a gift from Isobel the night before.
A trip to Isle View was short lived he wanted to be in his own home, and so he did return to Sprindrift, until 3 weeks ago when he said he thought old age was catching up on him.
Life is not about the breaths we take but moments that take our breath away. I am sure that Grandpa Kirk, Bob; Beaky Kirk has given many people moments that have taken their breath away.
Grandpa I know you are in a better place, thou it would have to be good to be better than Gairloch, I suspect that Bill Murray was waiting at the pearly gates for you, I am sure you will share a story or two and maybe a drink, Bundy I hope!!. I know Granny is there too waiting, you have been apart for a long time
You may be gone but you are certainly not forgotten. We love you and we will make you proud
Lorna Mary Berry May 13, 2006
Melbourne Australia
"Cry without weeping,
Talk without speaking,
And scream without raising your voice"
U2 - Running to Stand Still.
What can you say about a man that has lived 94.5 years? Where do you begin with a life so varied and interesting? George Robert Neesham Kirk,husband to Christine Charlotte Ann, Father to Ian, Rosalynde and Erica Douglas, grandfather to Alan Douglas Heather Brain Lorna and Robert and great grandfather to Nicholas Breagha Laura Samantha Douglas and Jake Kirk.
The first memory I have of my grandpa was in Inverness station in 1979 I was 9 years old and we had just spent what seemed like an eternity traveling on the train from Glasgow. We were soon in the car driving to Gairloch playing cowboys and Indians with the relevant Indian noises. This game is something that would last for the next 25 years or so.
When we arrived at Spindrift, my grandparents new home, it was dark the kitchen light was on and I could see Erica and Granny in the kitchen sitting at the table Erica the organizer looking after Granny and Granny a now frail lady who was not so old in years.
We spent many months at Sprindrift attending the local primary school, during that time the shop Kirk hand weave which was 1 of 2 business that grandpa had owned was to be sold. We often went there to "help" I loved using the cash register but caused a major stuff up one day by keying in the wrong amount instead of 5 pounds 500 pounds I was in trouble!
After dinner apples were cut up and handed out and then 2 excited grandchildren would call out for monkey nuts. An eggcup would be filled with peanuts and we would be handed our quota of monkey nuts.
Many nights were spent sitting on the couch next to the thrones were granny and grandpa sat, knitting talking watching tv, getting into trouble for fighting with my brother.
We had a family Christmas in Spindrift with aunties uncles cousins grandparents, that was the first of 3 Christmas's I would spend there.
Memorable or not so memorable car journeys to Inverness down that single track road with the windows up and the pipe smoke chocking the car, heat up full. This combination was a sure fire recipe for a car sick 10 year old to spew all over his car.
We returned to New Zealand in January 1980.
I still remember the day my granny died I was 10 years old, walking home from school I knew that something had happened and deep down I knew what it was the next thing dad picked me up and told me what had happened. I remember dad on the phone to Erica saying what a wonderful woman granny was.
So there he was not long retired, perhaps six weeks and a widower, all those years of working in 2 shops building them up from nothing to quite something to be left to his retirement alone.
What could you do? Mope or get on with it and get on with it he did being an active member of Gairloch yacht club teaching young people to sail. We had been on his yacht in 1979 he was so proud of his yacht.
In the early 80's I started to learn to play the flute, grandpa being a fan of James Galway said that he would provide the flute, and so began my years of playing flute, including lining up to meet James Galway himself as a 13 year old school girl in Melbourne. We waited for what seemed like hours to have a few minutes with this amazing Irish man. Still today I love James Galway and subscribe to a group on the internet that James Galway started and regularly responds to.
The flute is something that I have re visited in the past couple of months, buying sheet music and cd's from Ebay so I can refresh myself of the pleasures of playing such a wonderful instrument.
At my 21st birthday I was given the engagement ring of Granny's, this is extremely special to me in so many ways, it was lost for 19 years in the garden I am privileged to be it's new keeper looking after it with care before Samantha is the keeper.
Grandpa turned 80 in 1991 so I decided that I would go to Scotland and surprise him for his birthday, many people expressed concern about the affect this would have on him, I was confident he would take it in his stride and that he did. After driving down Glen Docherty we arrived at Spindrift, Erica opened the door we snuck in and she opened the lounge room door and said "pa here is your first birthday surprise" Grandpa was stunned excited and very happy. We were then christened the secret service and the red Indians re appeared in full force, every where we went we had to do our red Indian call.
A while after we arrived he disappeared into the office and called his good friend and neighbor Fred Elder to tell him what had happened of course Fred already knew and he was christened a member of the secret service as well.
The following 2 weeks were filled with celebrations for the 80th birthday, lots of listening to stories being told more than once, I never minded that I was happy to be there to spend time with this amazing man who was such a positive influence on my life in spite of being 12000 miles away now in Australia.
So many funny little habits, only doing his washing on a Sunday, with his washing line positioned in a place so the village could see it, you see you don't doing washing on a Sunday, only taking a bath once a week and after a very long time in there he would emerge sparkling and saying I think I will have Bundaberg rum piped from Australia to my bath tub, I suspect he would have bathed daily if that were the case. Before bed hanging all his socks and jocks on heaters that were on timers so they were warm for him in the morning.
After taking Erica to the airport in Inverness we were told that we could relax now the manageress was gone and that he was happy to have the house back to him self so he go to the toilet with the door open, maybe too much information but it did not matter.
The time went fast in a place that was standing still in a house that was stuck in a time warp and still is to this day, and all to soon it was time to leave him, he was pretending to not to be upset by cleaning out his toaster, for people who know him you get into trouble for vacuuming after all you might wear out the carpet.
I left and returned to Australia we of course continued to correspond the typing grandpa enjoyed letters from Australia or did he enjoy checking to see if any of the stamps could be recycled.
Life went on I got married in 1995 and in 1997 Samantha Douglas was born the 4th great grand child of Grandpa Kirk. In 2001 he was to celebrate his 90th birthday, my father Jim told me whilst walking around Camberwell market that he and mum would pay for Samantha and I to make the trip to celebrate his 90th birthday.
So on December 2nd 2001 we set of from Melbourne on the long journey home leaving behind partners and grandpa Jim, 3 generations of powerful Kirk women, who had become a Berry and a Dove. The challenges of traveling with a 4 year old were not so great, we met Erica at Inverness airport with a car loaded to the top with groceries the granny and Sammy in the back, the auntie in the passenger seat and the niece driving down Glen Docherty on what seems to be the longest part of the whole journey, how that road has changed in the 25 years I have driven on it as a passenger and now as the driver.
We arrived at Spindrift of course it was dark being winter.
Grandpa did not know Samantha and I were coming to celebrate his birthday again he took this in his stride. The Red Indian games began maybe to a lesser extent as this powerful man was actually now getting old.
We spent 3 weeks at Sprindrift with grandpa watching his great granddaughter with pleasure, they did not talk much, he was not easy to talk to he was very deaf. I know that they both admired each other from what Sammy has said to me in the 4 years that have past since we were at spindrift. Judging by her reaction over the past couple of days he has had a much bigger impact than we all thought. There is sadness about this amazing young girl that I have not seen before. I know that she will be alright as he will guide both her and I in our lives.
A family party was held at the Myrtle bank hotel, I could see my grandpa over come with emotion at this time. All of his grand children were there except my brother Robert and all of the great grandchildren were there. He was an extremely proud grand father and father for that matter.
The highlight of the day was of course the hysterics of his teeth falling out as he blew out his candles; he promptly told us that he had been rehearsing that trick for 90 years.
On the day of his birthday there was an afternoon tea party at spindrift when it was time to blow out the candles he disappeared only to return with the bellows to blow out the candles. There was no way those teeth were going to make a guest appearance again. There were always hi jinks and jokes.
More funny little habits opening both doors to the out side world so the temperature of the house dropped dramatically, Aunties have fits over the doors both being open, watching "who wants to be a millionaire" and "what not to wear" thru a cloud of pipe smoke, 4 generations in the 1 room enjoying each other's company as a family. Something that I will treasure for ever.
Christmas which was another family celebration which included in the lead up and letter to Samantha from the secret service that were looking for her as she was not in Australia, luckily they found her at spindrift and could tell Santa where she was.
Stories of the war were repeated this visit we listened with interest we looked at photos he had taken at this time, he was a keen photographer and has many photos of his family around his house,
Erica left to return to Spain and soon after we left as well I think that this was one of the hardest good byes I have made.
We returned to Australia and life continued on over the next couple of years my mum made trips to grandpa who continued to drive in his 90's.
He broke all the rules drinking smoking. He told me once that he had nearly passed to the other side during the night, you can imagine my horror on hearing this, he was in fact referring to the fact that he had not finished his rum the night before, this of course was to do with the fact that he had drunk vast quantities of Spindrift cream, a gift from Isobel the night before.
A trip to Isle View was short lived he wanted to be in his own home, and so he did return to Sprindrift, until 3 weeks ago when he said he thought old age was catching up on him.
Life is not about the breaths we take but moments that take our breath away. I am sure that Grandpa Kirk, Bob; Beaky Kirk has given many people moments that have taken their breath away.
Grandpa I know you are in a better place, thou it would have to be good to be better than Gairloch, I suspect that Bill Murray was waiting at the pearly gates for you, I am sure you will share a story or two and maybe a drink, Bundy I hope!!. I know Granny is there too waiting, you have been apart for a long time
You may be gone but you are certainly not forgotten. We love you and we will make you proud
Lorna Mary Berry May 13, 2006
Melbourne Australia
"Cry without weeping,
Talk without speaking,
And scream without raising your voice"
U2 - Running to Stand Still.
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/lornau2/blog#ixzz0z1j2WcCC
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