Anzac Day Fun

I love playing Two Up, even though I always lose, it is the highlight of my year!

Our local didn't have Two-up Game this year, so we dropped off at Bangalow pub on the way to the Bluesfest. For those who aren't Aussies and Kiwi's, two up is a game of chance traditionally played by soldiers and returned soldiers. It is now played at pubs and clubs only on Anzac Day as it is illegal any other day of the year, and is a great way to experience the Australian character.

Ypres

Bangalow Pub was rocking! They had hired a couple of professionals to run the ring  and it was sooo much fun!  At one given time there was always about fifty people playing.

Everyone was good natured and laughing, even when they lost, and the bloke standing next to you became your best friend for an hour. 

I had a go as Spinner, and as always threw tails. (Lost! Heads wins for Spinner) I told my husbsand that I always throw tails, but what did he do but back me with a twenty! He told me that it would have been wrong to bet against me. Ahh fool, he won't pick against South's in the footy tips either.

There is such a feeling of goodwill, with hundreds of dollars passing hands every throw...and somehow people don't mind losing. I think, because there is a one in two chance of winning or losing, without any skill, that loss is accepted with grace.

We left after an hour to go to the Bluesfest and see Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello. I will cut a long story short  and state implicity that I have always hated festivals, and that I continue to hate them. I know I am a cranky old lady but, urggh, please deliver me  from ever repeating that experience again.

Bob Dylan was a big disappointment.  Awful gravelly voice and not alot of enthusiasm for his older songs. As I stood there, craning my head to see the speck that was Bobby D, I thought up witty reviews such as, 'He made Tom Waits sound like Nellie Melba'. I can't remember all of them, but they were a damn sight more entertaining than his performance.The band was disjointed and uninspiring. Granted, he did warm up in the second half,  but for me it was too little too late.

 

Elvis Costello on the other hand was brilliant. He started off with 'Pump it Up' and had the energy and enthusiasm of a man half his age. I am very short sighted and it was easy for me to imagine him as a younger man. He looked bloody good, snazzy shirt and very trim. The band was great, he was great, brilliant guitar playing and he played ALL of his old songs and, very convincingly, looked that he enjoyed playing them...and why not...they are brilliant songs!

It took us 50 minutes to get out of the car park that had taken us 5 minutes to drive into. 'Nuf said.