Well here we are once again, putting the final newsletter for 2018 to print with Christmas only days away. Where has the year gone I keep asking myself. It is nice to be back in the comfort of home as this year has probably been one of the longest we have spent away at any one time, in saying that it has been worth it. The festival circuit, keeping me busy along with my own shows. I like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your valued support throughout the year and look forward to doing it all again in 2019. Lyn has already started putting entries into the diary so they’ll be no chance of slow 'in down as the song says.

As the last newsletter went to print we were getting ready to hit the road again which turned out to be a great little tour joined by some friends, who have now passed their Roadie Apprenticeship with flying colours. Thankyou one and all your helpmuchly appreciated. Our tour started at Gilgandra, Lyn’s home town, so we enjoyed catching up with friends and family, also chancing to drop into the local FM Station for an interview, all in all a good night. Next day in a scorching 41 degree heat , we headed up to Narrabri, and special thanks to 91.3 Max Fm for there promotion we had a very successful show with a very appreciative, crowd in attendance at the Narrabri RSL. We decided to stay in Narrabri for the Melbourne Cup and believe it or not enjoy a little win, enough to shout the roadies Pizza anyway.

From Narrabri we then headed up to Moree to play at the Amaroo Tavern playing to a small but very appreciative, crowd, then onto St George(STILL STINKING HOT) had planned some campouts, but much to warm so we booked into the van park and got the air cons running full blast. It was nice returning to St George as it had been a long time since there last and playing on the town Hall stage where I sang in a talent quest some 30 odd years ago, if only I’d have felt as young as I was then. Surat next stop where we camped on the Balonne River, enjoying a few days relaxing before doing a show at the pub which turned out a good night. A little set back leaving Surat as tour managers wife Liz was admitted to hospital and having to spend four days in the intensive care ward. Making a speedy recovery Kerry and Liz managed to catch up again with us at Bourke. After leaving Surat we then made our way up to Morven for a show in the Morven Community Hall which over the past decade have driven past many times and wondering what it would be like to play in. Have to say acoustics not the best, but managed to draw people from Augathella, including one old bushie I've met up with several times at Camooweal who certainly kept me on my toes with his requests. A good night had by those who attended also a lovely supper provided by the Morven CWA Ladies.

It was then time to make our way back down to Bourke via Charleville and Cunnamulla enjoying the drivealong with dodging Kangaroos and goats through the endless miles of Mulga. Even though some areas did receive welcome rain it wasn’t enough to put and end to several dust storms we travelled through. From Bourke we then took a few days to get down to Nyngan enjoying a couple of good campouts even managing to find a cement slab to park the van on in the middle of the scrub. We also had a couple of nights at a good stopover opposite the pub at Girilambone before heading down to do a show at the Nyngan RSL Club. A great night at the club with a very appreciative crowd once again. Next morning it was farewell to the crew, and with foot down headed back home. Caravan now parked up for the year with the new one just around the corner.

Now at home I’m getting ready for the Tamworth festival which will be here before we know it. Looking forward to catching up with those who are coming to festival. Festival gigs will be uploaded to my websiteover the next week. Also I will be returning to the studio to put down the last beds for my new album. The first single “Dust of Australia” from the album was released to radio a few weeks ago entering the charts at number 37 and climbing its way to sit at number 5. Following on from Tamworth I head down to do a show at the North Albury Bowls on Sunday 10th February starting at 2pm. thence onto Barooga Friday 15th /16th and 17th and then returning home to prepare for Hartwood

Well folks , that’s it the final newsletter for 2018. Lyn and I would like to extend a special thankyou to all for your valued support throughout the year and take this opportunity to wish you A MERRY CHRISTMAS and PROSPOROUS NEW YEAR and look forward to catching up somewhere sometime I 2019. Sorry folks no fancy recipes this year but thought you might like this one

The Christmas Angel

One particular Christmas season a long time ago, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip ... but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule.

Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her mother was coming to visit. This stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out, heaven knows where. More stress. Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys.

So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of coffee and a shot of whiskey. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves had hidden the liquor and there was nothing to drink. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the coffee pot and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw it was made from.

Just then the doorbell rang and Santa cursed on his way to the door. He opened the door and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.

All radiant and smiling; the angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas Santa. Isn't it just a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Isn't it just a lovely tree? Where would you like me to stick it?"

Thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.