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Dave’s Aussie Confluence Adventure.

Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:04 pm
by dswp
Dave’s Aussie Confluence Adventure.

I finally (after 21,000 miles), have made it back home.

As promised to my Aussie brethren, I will post a small journal of my time in the great land of Victoria Australia, in and around the time of the Confluence. I will post them in no particular order or timeline.

As you can tell from most of my posts, I am not the most articulate person in world. This thread will be even more difficult for me to convey, due to the overwhelming kindness and warmth in the manor that my wife and I were treated. Somewhat surprising to me was the over-the-top treatment from the non forum members that we came across (as you will see). I guess living in the Northeast sector of the USA, you forget how people can be so civil.


I am sure that it is obvious how much of an awesome time we had. It is one of the top 5 vacations of my life for sure. However, before I get too far into this, I must thank Mr. Hall. Without him, we all would not be the excitable bunch, clamoring for his mighty fine guitars and basses. Also, thank you to Peter. Without his cyber universe here, many friendships never would have been forged.

Finally I hope that these posts will help out the other forum members a bit (Graham, Alisha and Brian, I think) that are about to undertake the fun filled trip. I greatly enjoyed every one of the destinations that are depicted below.

Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:10 pm
by dswp
My first post is the day of the Confluence, early morning. Other than Darren, I was able to spend the most time with Forum member Greg Rahilly. The three of us were able to hit a couple of Melbourne’s finest vintage guitar shops.

I do not want to mention the names of the shops due to the extreme high dollar guitars that were there. I am not sure if is meant to be “general knowledge” that they are there.

When we entered the first store, there was a front room with about 30 very nice guitars. Included were about 5 Rics that were late 70’s bread and butter models. However, when we were taken into the backroom, that is where all the fun started.

The store specialty was (unfortunately), late 50’s and early 60’s (Fenders, Gretsches, and Gibsons).

Albeit they were inferior non-Rickenbacker guitars, I was taken back by the sheer quantity and quality of them. Also the insistence of the shop keeps’ to play and handle them all is something I never experienced before. I tried to keep a running total of the value of them all, but I lost track after I played the first $250,000.00 worth. I never saw so many high dollar guitars just laying about on the floor, some in cases, some just placed up against the wall. I am sure glad that I didn’t knock any over.



Greg seemed to like this minty 58.
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I liked this custom color one.
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These three were pretty nifty too.
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We then went to the next store of Vintage Guitars in Melbourne. To sum it up quickly, we all agreed that it $u[ked.


Before the Confluence we had time for a fast lunch. We dined at the world famous “Hungry Jack’s”. It was a little bit like Burger King, (they even had the paper crowns and Whoppers). However, it was different in the fact that it was called “Hungry Jack’s”. I wanted to bring all of the other Forum members a paper crown, but I was chastised by Darren and Greg that I was not taking the “Hungry Jack’s” policy of one crown per person policy seriously.

http://www.hungryjacks.com.au/Story.aspx

I’ll post more over the weekend…

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 4:53 am
by rollingricker21
Good read Dave! Looking forward to reading the rest of your adventure.

Great pics as well!

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:47 am
by jdogric12
Awesome! Can't wait to hear more.

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:20 am
by doctorwho
Excellent, Dave; thanks for sharing!

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 12:15 pm
by gregga41
Hey Dave, this thread looks like becoming a favorite read for all forumites!
Darren and I both agree that the photo of the 3 of us together is our favourite!
You, quite obviously, loved your time here in Melbourne, and we loved having you both here!

Waiting impatiently for your next installment!!

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:12 pm
by rickenbrother
Dave, thanks for the play-by-play for those of us who wish we were there.

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:30 pm
by dswp
Thanks guys,,Next....

A few days after the Confluence, the Trotties arranged (via a long string of events that I will not bore you with), an after hours private tour at the Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary.

It is home to a range of native animals. There is a hospital where sick, injured or orphaned animals are nursed back to health. They are mostly returned back to the wild.

Again we received such unbelievable treatment.

Here you can see Lisa feeding and petting a wild Wallaby.
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Here is a close up of the Kangaroo with a Joey in its pouch.
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They took this koala out of its pen for a close and personal encounter.
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I thought that Darren was out of line when he insisted that the koala should sport my hat for a photo opp. LOL I still cannot believe that they let him take this picture.
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The Sanctuary does not receive government funding. It is a volunteer based organization. They seemed like real passionate caring people.

Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 5:07 am
by rollingricker21
Haha! I love the last picture!

Darren didn't have a Rick handy for the koala?

Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 5:18 am
by dswp
LOL

Frank no, otherwise for sure it would of been in the photo too.

Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 10:00 am
by ozover50
Nice pics, Dave. You've got to be careful with those koalas, though..... 1) they love peeing on humans.... and 2) they tend to drop out of trees onto unsuspecting humans.

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Vicious killers, they are!! I'd say you were very lucky to come away unscathed......

In all seriousness, you are right about the volunteers - they do a fantastic job just for the love of it.

Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:33 am
by dswp
"Vicious killers, they are!!"

Howard how right you are...just look at those cold killer eyes...

Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 12:27 pm
by dswp
Here are some more people that we met along the way.

Here are the lovely Trott children. This was taken at Rickett’s Point, where we spent an afternoon.
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Darren’s charming sister-in-law (Robyn’s sister), who joined us many times while we were in OZ.

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AHH,, what was I saying,, I lost my train of thought.



Here is a shot of Forum member Ron Viney. With my head spinning from over stimulation, I still was able to have a nice chat with Ron. I am on a mission to help Ron find a specific 12 string here in the US. Don’t worry Ron, it may take time but one will turn up. Ron’s wife Fran was kind enough to join my wife, and some of the other girls on a shopping spree, Sadly, Lisa took my credit card and in OZ, they will not except the credit card of spouses…Boo Hoo Hoo,,,,
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 12:39 pm
by harvey49
That one looks quite docile Dave, as he's been doped up on gum leaves, but they go feral if they can't get a ready supply of the right sort of eucalypt leaves, so you're pretty safe in a park or reserve.

Howard, I think people might think we're joking about drop bears,(koala's to be correct), but I for one wouldn't be caught without my trusty hard hat out in the bush - would you?

Thanks for startings the search for me Dave, but it's the 6 string version I'm chasing Image

Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 12:49 pm
by 86kubicki
Ah, Australia, where the wine glasses are as big as your head...