A tribute to Russell

Anniversary weekend in Auckland NZ, and the Riverhaven community (Waiwera) brought everyone together for the Music Jam on the green, a tradition that Russ was determined to re-ignite….The sound and light team worked for days before getting the stage set and everyone practiced their special songs to dedicate to Russ.  Actually, the friday night before the Saturday Jam, was a prejam Jam outside my cottage with everyone working together to have their sessions in order….into the wee small hours.  A little panadol was needed to get me going on Saturday morning.

The Day was hot, and the preparations “Big”, getting our old gazebo up in a prime spot to accommodate the family and friends joining us…..Food preparation, Jaxon up at 5am to cook a smoked brisket for the workers, shopping and cooking and of course icing down the liquid refreshments….

The Stage was set for a big night of singing and dancing, from our very talented residents of the Riverhaven family and their groupies (us old girls dancing like we were 18!)

It was really hot with the sun still tanning everything in sight when we kicked off at 6pm….brisket in one hand and cold speights in the other! (well for me at least)

Sunhat clad groupies ready for action…..while the Riverhaven band ground out the first tunes…

And a few of the boys who were not on stage….Steph was first up after the band session, and did us proud, (even though she was nervous), belting out an Ed Sheeran and Savage Garden number to set the scene for the evening…Now she could relax.

A Johnny Cash session by the Mitchell boys dedicated to Russ got the feet tapping and yours truly first on the dance floor (well grass).

The sun set and with the practiced numbers all complete and everyone in the mood, the “Jam” began, and the team all sang their favourites dedicated to their Mums, kids or Russ….

Steph, Aaron and Jaxon, with a cheeky little fiddler on the side sang “King of the Road”, we could all see Russ up there beside them singing and tapping his toes! Definitely one of his show pieces!

The night rolled on (and the sunglasses stayed on) and the music continued until 11pm (the noise control hour, and we did not need a repeat of the wedding noise control visit) so we packed up camp(that was a big job) and retreated to our little corner of this world, with a number of campers not ready to hit the sack….I was ready for bed after my previous late night (its an age thing), but outside my window, the beer pong games, with  vocal support of more an more songs continued….until 4am!

A broken sleep, but a few hours at least and it was definitely a Sunday to take the now running boat for a test drive. Trudi, Sue and Steph headed out to sea around 10am, fed the fish and enjoyed the relaxation of sitting on the boat, Steph enjoyed a boat nap….to catch up on her 4am morning.

Meanwhile, George took time out and took Mary to the Hot Rod show at Orewa, an outing she really enjoys, and with the fishergirls back on the beach around 4pm, no fish for dinner,  it was a communal BBQ with what we could all scratch up (all 15 of us)

Aaron and Dan the Chefs for the day….paper plates, salad, etc…just what the doctor ordered, and an early night for all.