I was fortunate to have been invited to the Thredbo Blues Festival over the past weekend with a group I met on a previous Snowy Ride. Weather was perfect all weekend and the festival was a lot of fun. Strayed from the group Saturday afternoon for a quick trip to Charlotte Pass which was great. Heading to Charlotte Pass, I came across an open (but empty) cafe just after Perisher. Would have been rude not to stop and support him and we had a great chat over a drink (he is also a licenced cafe). His name is Steven and I promised I'd see him again in November.
Performers over the weekend included:
Kevin Borich
Mighty Reapers
Jeff Lang
Blue Heat
Darren Jack Band
Jeff Duff
Jed Rowe
Nick Charles
Jim Finn
Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson
Continental Blues Trio
Pete Cornelius Band
Luke Dickens & Matt Ross
Harry Brus
Joe Robinson
Rory Ellis
Jo Jo Smith
Diane van Deurzen & Lisa Otey
Blackwood Jack
All the gigs were great, but I really ejoyed seeing Kevin Borich. Cara Robinson was a georgeous Irish lass with a sweet voice and yes, I bought the CD and scored a few pictures with her.
For the benefit of regular Snowy Ride riders, we stayed at the Hannenkham Chalet, one flight of stairs above the village, immediately next to the Denman Hotel. The Chalet has secure undercover parking (yes, I took pictures), and with protected parking at a premium during the Snowy Ride, I have made the first steps to perhaps staying there at this years ride. They do have a regular group that stays there, but I'll see what I can arrange.
Sunday morning we returned via Dalgetty. I'd been to Dalgetty on previous Snowy Rides but had never ridden to Cooma from Dalgetty. One of the very best loops I have ever ridden. With perfect weather, I likened it to riding into a watercolour picture, with vast fields of brown grasses and undualating hills. Surreal.
Hope you enjoy the pics.