The Brisbane markets were quite lucrative! $63 in an hour and a half. My friend Linda came along to listen and I went back to her house for lunch. I played to her mum who is in her 90s and she cried when I played Ave Maria. I didn't think it was that bad!
On the busking side I did an audition in the city last Saturday. I haven't heard the outcome yet but it was a very interesting morning. Loads of people there, mainly youngsters with guitars, but also jugglers, magicians, a harp player, pavement artists, mime artists, string quartets and rappers to mention a few. We played for about 2 minutes each and because they did it alphabetically by Christian name I wasn't on until 11am and it started at 9.00am. The busking in the city is without any form of amplification, so just me and my flute.
I bought a new Bluetooth amp for other busking, although I actually use it with a wire to my iPod. Tomorrow and Sunday I try it out for real. Saturday at Redcliffe markets and Sunday at Eagle Farm markets. It's much louder than the mini one I brought with me. Hopefully it will have paid for itself by the end of the weekend!!
The small one will go on eBay when I get home.
Having left Ormeau where I'd been house sitting for 3 weeks, I went to stay with my friend Jenny in Loganholme for 2 nights and then moved to Burpengary where I'll be on and off until I leave in April.
I'll be looking after Sammy the cat while Lyn and Tony go to Tasmania for their son's wedding in December but before that I'm going south in a hire car on 4th November.
I'm really glad the fires seem to have died down at the moment as I'm heading to Sydney via Coff's harbour and Newcastle. There have been reports of snow in high places in Victoria so I'm taking a variety of clothes! Cardigans and scarves are necessary in concert halls anyway! The Australian chamber Orchestra's performance of Brahms 4 and Dvorak cello concerto with Steven Isserlis was superb but the air con froze my right ear and I had my cardigan half over my head. If I'd had a hat or hood I would have worn it!
I've seen more wildlife. At Lamington National park a 2 metre long carpet python. Not dangerous, but too big for me!! Today while at Point Cartwright near Mooloolabah I saw a brown snake. Now, they are poisonous! I took a photo as it slithered into the undergrowth. I also saw a sea eagle on top of the lighthouse tower.
Next time I write I'll probably have driven a couple of thousand miles! That's Ryde to Newport many times!
