After the mods on the trailer and a final goodbye to my cute Kelpie pup, Chloe (see friends page), I head off to Newstead to perform at the Primary School. The kids at Newstead Primary School all really enjoyed the performance, of course, when asked if they played a stringed instrument half the audience (80 kids) put up their hand.

The evening community performance in Newstead was wonderful. A rotunda, a park in a bush setting and the sun going down behind the performance created a magical experience for the 60 people who attended. Special thanks to Mike for organizing the concert.

Castlemaine was the next stop where I performed at Castlemaine Secondary College and Castlemaine Primary. Once again, the students were very receptive. My beautiful cello 'Pierre' was taken to his maker, Paul Davies of Arts Music, for some much needed and overdue repairs. Thanks Paul!

Then onto Daylesford, with a true 'Street Cello' performance on a Saturday morning. There were the brave people who came up for a chat, those who sat and listened and others who exhibited curiosity from across the street.

'Wow, a really busy week! Apart from all of the above performances I spent all available time on the phone trying to organize upcoming performances.

The staff at Forest Hill College were very welcoming and it was wonderful to perform and jam with a full class of 25 Cello Students of Mount Waverly Secondary College (Gordon tells me that they have 80 Cello students all up!!).

I was spotted by the producer of the Derek Guille show, James, on Friday of last week riding up Toorak road to my next gig. A few emails later and I was booked in on Wednesday evening to perform live on air at ABC 774. I had 3 mins to set up my stage and gear in the studio (normally a 15min set-up) so it was quite stressful but I had a good time discussing motorcycle etiquette with the scooter riding presenter. Any other rider of a two wheeled vehicle (powered or un-powered) is worth acknowledging on the road!

Thanks to my mum, ‘Scoota’, for her amazing meals during our stay in Melbourne. Baked Beans are back on the menu as we depart Melbourne and head towards the coast road. In three months time we should be somewhere near Port Douglas QLD. I hope my trusty motorcycle will make it, but if not I have a back up plan (see photo).

WEEK 8
Mar 23-29 “Sydney”

Riding the motorbike and trailer around the streets of Sydney was not something that I was looking forward to but somehow I managed.

 The performances were well received by Sydney schools as they fit extremely well into the year 11 & 12 Music Two course.  Calingford High School was the first school to receive a full scale performance with huge projector screen, large hall and lights off. This went down really well with the students and I certainly enjoyed myself.

 On Wednesday ‘The Weekly Times’ published an article on the tour by Genevieve Barlow in the ‘Country Living’ section. I became alerted to this article because of an email I received from a fellow motorcyclist wishing to set up a solar powered refrigerated motorcycle trailer.

 The Irish night at Picton Pub was a bit of a free for all. We all sat around a table a churned out Irish reels and jigs with the odd ‘modern’ number.

WEEK 10
April 6 - 12 “Taree to Urunga”

It was a dark and stormy night....and a very wet week. It all started in Taree, with a performance at the Manning River Steiner School. The kids were very inspired by the performance, especially the 'Loop Station'. They were so inspired that many of them dragged their parents along to the community performance the very next day. One parent wrote ".....the fact that my children (7yrs & 11yrs) asked to come a second time to see you says ALOT. Thankyou for inspiring our children to enjoy live, inspiring music and to create outside the box."

By this stage the storm clouds had well and truly set in with 140ml falling on Tuesday the 8th in Port Macquarie and surrounding areas, much of it fell as I was riding along, or that's how it seemed. I made it to Port Macquarie after the performance in Taree, drenched from head to toe. It took my motorcycle gear many days to dry and my phobia of wet weather created. After all, I live in a drought affected area within Central Victoria where even a fifth of that rainfall would have been appreciated.

The ABC Radio National 'Bush Telegraph' interview went well and has meant that I have managed to make contact with some friends of my father (d 2002) as well as introducing me to some more people from around the country. A truly wonderful outcome.

The rain continued for the remainder of the week leaving the tour stranded in Port Macquarie. On Friday my clothes had dried out and a decision was made to take a risk even thought the rain looked like continuing. Low and behold, the sun appeared...but not for long!

Well, the Launch was fantastic, with over 100 people relaxing in the Collins Place Park CLUNES enjoying fine food, wine and music. Thank you to all those who attended. Many Cd's were sold and much needed funds raised for the Clunes Neighbourhood House.

The next stop at the Dunolly Rotunda was quite a different experience. Not as many people but the atmosphere was just as intense. The Harley boys decided to come for a bit of a listen, VB's in hand, and did their best to rally up support from within the town.

The 'For Bloke's Sake' launch in Avoca was wonderful, with over 60 people attending to support this new group for men with cancer. Andrew's speech was inspiring and the music complimented the evening nicely.

The school performances included Avoca Primary School and Ballarat and Claredon College.

Then back home for a couple of days for all important trailer modifications (thanks Bob) and the final pack before the 17 week Stage One gets fully underway.

WEEK 6
Mar 9-15 “Lakes Entrance to Tathra”

Another huge week. Nine wonderful performances all up. I had a ball this week. Cann River was small but quirky.  I played to almost the entire Cann River P-12 School, all 66 of them. They were incredibly fascinated with a small green spider that was crawling on my cello and they were a fantastic audience. 

Mallacoota is a stunningly beautiful place.  The wilderness and the water combined with a creative local population.  Almost 50 people turned up to the community performance on Tuesday night at the Miva Miva hall where images and music were combined.  On Wednesday morning I was whisked around the local sights by Michael and later jammed with a few local musicians at Café 54.  The hospitality of the locals was fantastic, special thanks to Lisa, a very talented photographer.

The performances in Bega were a real surprise. The Mumbulla Steiner School were most welcoming and made a generous donation to the tour. The performance at the gallery was fantastic.  About 40 people turned up, filling the space.

WEEK 5
Mar 2-8 “Melbourne to Lakes Entrance”

Through some twisty roads, wishing that I didn’t have a 220k trailer attached, I arrived at Mirboo North for an impromptu community performance.  Word of mouth saw 20 people turn up to enjoy an outside concert in the park.

Nagle College and Bairnsdale Secondary College were very appreciative of the performance.  The Bairnsdale Brass Band handled the intrusion of a stringed instrumentalist extremely well. I played a couple of pieces with accompanying images and tried to convert them to the wonders of the cello.

The community performance at Lakes Entrance was an interesting one.  I played at the National Junior Surf Life Saving Clubs Competition.  People were quite bemused by the sight of a cellist near the beach.  I even had to ride across the famous ‘Foot Bridge’, but was unable to stop to get a picture taken.

WEEK 14
May 4 - 10 “Regional Queensland”

On to Maryborough Queensland to perform a community concert at Janet's Arts Books Cafe. Maryborough Victoria, some 20k north of where I live, is the place that inspired 'The Unconventional Cellist', a motorcycle riding cello player. I was keen to see what differences and similarities there were between these two towns that shared the same name.

It was explained to me that the grand and famous Railway Station in Maryborough VIC (Mark Twain had said that Maryborough VIC is a Railway Station with a town attached) was meant to be built in Maryborough QLD!

I am most selfishly happy that this beautiful Railway Station exists only 20k from my residence.  I have enjoyed performing there many times and am looking forward to future performances also.

Back to Maryborough QLD, it was a wonderful afternoon and I felt so welcome. Special thanks to Janet for helping to organise the performance and providing a venue.

As we headed north I discovered more welcoming Queenslanders with well-received community performances in Miriam Vale and Gladstone. I finished off this first stage of the tour with a performance at the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery.  There were many young string players in the audience and it was great to see their enthusiasm for the instruments that they play.

On Monday May the 12th, I received the devastating news that my mother had suffered a serious brain aneurysm rupture (SAH) and resulting stroke.  She is only 58 years of age and very active.  I rushed back to Melbourne to be by her side, leaving my bike and trailer in Brisbane.  She was in an induces coma for almost 6 weeks but has made a remarkable recovery and after intensive rehab she is now at home regaining her independence. She is courageous woman and a role model.  She even got her motorcycle license at age 55 and has had many adventures on her 200cc Scooter.

I'd like to thank my partner, Andrew, for his support throughout the tour and during the difficult time that followed with my mothers illness.

WEEK 13
Apr 27 - 3/5 “Brisbane & Regional Queensland”

The highlight for this week, and one of the highlights for the entire tour was a dawn performance at Point Perry, Coolum Beach. I have never, in my life, played the cello at 6am in the morning but when a friend of mine, Ernest Gavey from Solazone, suggested it I jumped at the opportunity.  However, at 4:30 in the morning when the alarm went off I did have a moment of regret.

A gathering of 30 to 40 people of all ages started arriving with thermoses and camping chairs at hand.  There was a sharing of home baked muffins and ginger and lemongrass tea. I managed to set up my gear in my sleepy state and was ready to start as the sun started to emerge on the horizon.

The first piece I played, was a tribute to my father, who had passed away six years earlier on the 2nd of May.  This was his dawn service and needless to say I got a bit emotional. I pulled myself together in Sepia and let natures wonder create an atmosphere second to none.

Thankyou to Ernest, John and all those who attended and helped make this morning so memorable.

WEEK 12
Apr 20 - 26 “Brisbane Area”

I crossed the border into Queensland via the Summerland HWY through some inspiringly lush and beautiful scenery. Navigating wet and windy roads whilst trying to take in breathtaking views proved difficult. Needless to say my eyes spent most of the time searching the tar and white lines.

The performance at 'The Shire' was fairly unique. I didn't know that such a venue existed in Brisbane, reminded me more of Brunswick Street or Smith Street, Melbourne. There was a great happy go lucky vibe with an open air performance by three bands including myself.

Term 2 had just started in sunny Queensland and so my quest continued to corrupt the young minds of string players into thinking outside the box. A new idea emerged, make 'Loop Stations' mandatory for all String music students. A revolution in Instrumental String Music Education, a popular vote winner and a guarantee of scale practice (okay, that’s stretching the truth a bit)!

Special thanks to Redland Bay State School, who asked students to bring $1 for the performance with the proceeds going to the Anti Cancer Foundation, Australia. Totals money raised was $480.

WEEK 11
Apr 13-April 20 “Urunga - Kyogle ”

The main Princes hwy was a flood with caravans and heavily laden cars as the students of NSW were dragged away to beachside locations for a couple of weeks of brain downtime (school holidays)....of course, I'm sure their teachers gave them much homework to be completed the night before their return to class.

So what does an Unconventional Cellist do when schools out. Not much! I think I spent most of the week waiting for my second wind, and on Friday, it came. It turns out that Kyogle is a pretty amazing town, having recently survived some horrific floods earlier in the year the community spirit is strong and generous.

The Information Centre Workers were generous with their time and gave many contacts in order to secure a couple of community performances. (Thanks Malcolm, Rick and Joy). From their information a performance was set up, with the help of Ruth and Jenny, at the Kyogle Regional Art Gallery for the opening of their 'Healing with Art Exhibition'. Given that my cd was dedicated to the memory of my late father, Peter Rule, this was a memorable performance for all concerned. Many tears were shared, and yes, the heavens opened up on us again.

Earlier in the week, whilst shopping in Vinnies Op Shop, we ran into Betty who was thrilled to find a wondering minstrel prepared to perform for her Senior Citizens Concert. And a wild concert it was with kilts, bottoms, compulsory bad Irish jokes, seasoned country duo and hot flamenco dancing...oh, and I broke a G-string...on the viola!

WEEK 7
Mar 16-22 “Bega to Sydney (Picton)”

After last weeks mammoth effort of 9 performances I decided to take it a bit easier this week. 

I have a lot of family in Sydney and Wollongong and I haven’t seen them for a couple of years so it was nice to do a performance that they could attend (and the locals) at the Minnamurra Anglican Church. About 40 people turned up, half of them family, and a wonderful time was had by all. As I played my last song a huge thunderstorm erupted giving great ambience to ‘Blue Metal’ and a very wet ride back to camp.

Prior to the show my Great Aunty Dot (in her 80’s I think) immediately jumped on my 1000 V-twin motorcycle (photo coming soon) and retold the family story of the her fathers Norton motorcycle with side car, mum on the back, 6 kids and grandmother in the side car and a dog squeezed in somewhere. So, clearly crazy motorcycle antics run in the family.

WEEK 9
Mar 30-April 5 “Sydney to Taree”

Well, a quieter week to be sure to be sure (still recovering from the Irish night last week!) but I’m starting to feel the effects of nine weeks on the road. Luckily for me I’ve been treated to some wonderful hospitality and vegetarian cooking by Marilyn and Grant Lonsdale.

The less hectic timetable gave us some time to do much needed repairs on trailer.  New grease, bolts tightened and a new block of wood under the front box replacing the temporary tree branch ‘bush mechanic’ repair made somewhere near Eden.

 The producer of Radio Nationals’ ‘Bush Telegraph’ rang as a result of last weeks article in The Weekly Times. They have asked Andrew and myself to be interviewed on Wednesday the 9^th of April in at the Port Macquarie ABC Studio. The interview will take place at about 11:40am.

 The last performance in Sydney to ‘Lucas Heights Community School’ was so well received and was a great note to end the Sydney part of the tour. This text message arrived the other day from the organiser of the LHCS concert: “Hi Kristin, just wanted to say thank you for the other day the staff haven not stopped talking about how good you were. The kids all said they loved the sound of the cello. I love your cd so thank you. Sandra Gibson.”

The first week in Melbourne was all about fine-tuning the rig. A new pack rack for the bike and a newer set of hubs for the trailer. After experiencing a rear bearing collapse on the motorcycle going 110kmph on the Western Hwy two weeks prior to the commencement of the tour I didn’t want to experience the same thing with the trailer. Thanks to Andrew for his expertise and mechanicing.

An early, very early, morning performance at Melbourne High School was accompanied with the best cup of coffee that I’ve had for ages, thanks to my former cello teacher Jenny Skinner (also rides a motorcycle called ‘Bob’). I could feel the caffeine moving through my blood causing a jumpy but lively performance at 8am.

The bike is now looking very much like a pack horse (see photo) but it should make unloading and loading the trailer for performances a bit easier.