My my my it's a Beautiful World

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This past week in Bendigo has seen +30 degree days all week.  It is beginning to feel a bit like an oven that won’t shut off.  Worst the nights are also getting hotter and without the reprieve of a cool breeze finding a good night’s sleep has been a bit more of a challenge.

Luckily we spent last weekend down on the Mornington Peninsula southeast of Melbourne.  We went down to watch one: Mr. Colin Hay in concert at the Frankston Art Centre.  To my Canadian readers you may know him better as the lead singer to the Australian band Men at Work. 

Colin sang both hits from his days with Men at Work (Who Can it Be Now?, Overkill) as well as songs from his single career (highlighted by some cameo appearances on Scrubs).  The apex of the evening was Colin singing a solo version of “Land Down Under”.  Ironically, Colin is actually from Scotland, not Australia, but I guess “I come from a land north of England” would not have been as catchy (nor would have “He just smiled and gave me a marmite sandwich”).

During their lives I hope that everyone is lucky enough to hear music performed where a song, and a place, and a time and an atmosphere all align to create a truly unique moment.  For me I can say that Colin singing “Land Down Under” in Australia rivals hearing Stan Rogers' “Barrett’s Privateers” sung live at the Lower Deck on Halifax Pier and The Hip belting out “50 Mission Cap” at the opening of the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

The other big news this week is that I have almost caught up to Vince in popular sightings around Bendigo.  As I discovered whilst attending a barbecue this week there is another Canadian who is living down in Bendigo (he also does some teaching and coaches the local American Football team).  He was telling me that last week when he went to the Gloria Jeans in city centre (i.e. Second Cup) the barista heard his accent  and she asked if he knew the other Canadian in town…one Chad Edmonds from Spring Gully.  He politely said he explained that Canada is a big country and that we don't all know each other.  

Turns out more people in this community read page 14 of the Advertiser than I suspected.  Score after 2 months Vince: 3 – Chad: 1.

[For the record I did not know that barista, nor have I ever visited that store.  I prefer the Good Loaf Bakery closer to home]