Tonight we left Cliff at the resort to rest his foot while we went to another packed night tonight at Panthers (RBHQ). The auditorium was home tonight to a swing night. People dressed in 40's garb and zuit suits I guess you could call it. The queue snaked the length of the venue prior to doors open.
Upstairs the Straights 8's had a full house. After they finished we went downstairs and peeked in at the swing night. No one had made a move to end the night, making the most of every moment till close I guess.

Back at the resort we have been speaking about Wintersun this year and personal impressions. Cliff likened it to the street crowds at Tamworth, I likened it to the Beach Hop in New Zealand.
I observed it was a really good mix of people with not just the dance crowd but the hot rod crowd, the rockabilly crowd, the general public and younger people.The early arrivers were mainly dancers I noted but by the time the main 3 days arrived it was a very mixed crowd includung the other interest groups mentioned. I would be very pleased to see such interest if I was running the event, particularly for longevity and growth.

As the time here as passed, more and more of Ports great features have been discovered. The town also has a really modern picture theatre in the confines of an original old 50's building. I mentioned previously going to see a movie, but not the quaint building. Cute.

The main shopping street is called Clarence St. It runs parallel with the shore line of the actual port, but walking north on it, at the end where the last shop is, you walk into water. At that point are boats for cruises, the walking track that leads you to the park, the bowling club, Panthers and another shopping Centre. Back off Clarence St itself, short double carriage roads with shops, pubs and cafes come off it and end with a park, and recreation strip which is the water line of Port Macquarie. This grassy strip with paved expanses and the duel short feeder roads lends perfectly for the parking of rods, the set up of stages and the comfort of thousands. There is lots of seating, lovely big trees, all the cafes, the view of the water and a even the police station.

Last night I spoke to people who had come up on the Rock'n'Roll train from Sydney. It was really good fun they said. Some said they came as a show of support for the Port Macquarie area and others were into the culture.

Several times I encounted official survey people querying where you were from, what you did, what were your interests, how much you spent, where you stayed, favourite bands etc etc.

Tonight the Atomic Hi-Tones are doing their last show with the awesome Marti Brom from Texas then after that, fingers crossed the volcanic cloud will be gone and we make it home before the weekend.
The Pretty Things Peep Show from New York also presents its last show.

Apart from some confusion about locations of stages because of a lack of familiarity and the changes because of the weather and plan B, people have constantly been raving about the great time they have had and how impressed they have been with the area and facilities of the town. Of course there would have been other grumbles given the first time for an event is the testing ground of what works best for the participants, but all in all, people have been very complimentry with what I personally have heard.

The news items as they do focussed on the nostalgic elements, but Wintersun this year was all of that with broader appeal. A good thing for attracting new and younger devotees I think.

Only the police would know, but the crowd appeared to be very well behaved and you felt very safe in the streets at night.

Cliff got round a bit when he was meant to be resting his foot. He performed in the street with the gang from Red Crown Radio and did the best rockabilly version of "Tainted Love" ever and they appeared with our guys too. Likewise with all the bands, lots of impromptu singers and musos jumping into other bands. People just love that and going off is the best description. There was a lot of affection for the bands.

I wont buy anymore internet time so from Wintersun this is my last postcard from Port. O & O till I get home.

See part 1 of Postcard from Port Macquari here:
http://vicrock.com.au/community/show...card-from-Port...