Kerikeri, NZ - 26th January 2008

[Joe]

Hi all,

Only 3 1/2 hours to go! Looks like the concert is SOLD OUT.

Tim J, I hope you had a good flight! Do take lots of photos everyone!

Enjoy and HAVE FUN

Joe

[Belinda]

Hi Thanks everyone for your good wishes re the concert 2 and a half hours now i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
we had a great day out and about kerikeri visiting beaches and the old stone store having lunch at a great place near by.
went for a walk just to check the center was still there yip.
I can't believe how calm i am, could be i think i'm still dreaming
we picked up our tickets yesterday and checked where we were sitting lets say if Hayley's water bottle rolls off the stage we will catch it.
Some how i don't like our chances of photos at the concert hopefully afterwards but then the lady who was there had to say she did not think there was a signing :
OMG i hope the lady is wrong
There is one poster in the foyer and a sign out by the streets which has the shows that will be on that has a sold out on it.
then i have seen nothing anywhere round town, but it has been sold out for months.
Everyone who we have talked to knows there is a concert on ,if they did not jnow before they know now . i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Belinda

[Mark]

Hi Belinda

Glad you had a good day out before the concert - in true HWI style We are all waiting to hear all about the concert now so dont be too long with your report i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Best wishes
Mark

[dutchjoyce]

OOOOOOOOOhhhhhhhhhhhh....................................
THE DAY AFTER!!!!!!
Can't wait to read reports, and see pictures !!!

Belinda, nice to read how you did prepare yourself to this concert!!! Hope you enjoyed it!!!!

Greetz JOYCE.

[postscript]

Reply 166 Belinda is great news--sold out months before... so she hasn't lost her touch or her popularity--in fact perhaps gained from being missed?

Looking forward very much to the kiwi reviews of your very own kiwi. Tell us if Jill or the whole family are travelling with her.

Peter S.

[grant]

Calling all Kiwi members (and visitors)

Where are you???

By my calculations it is Sunday lunchtime over there. Surely one of you is back on earth by now. We're dying to hear all about this much talked about concert.

Please don't keep us in suspense!!

Best wishes
Grant

[grant]

postscript said:

Tell us if Jill or the whole family are travelling with her.

Hi Peter

According to Belinda's post HERE the whole family were planning to be there.

Best wishes
Grant

[Dave]

grant said:

Calling all Kiwi members (and visitors)

Where are you???

By my calculations it is Sunday lunchtime over there. Surely one of you is back on earth by now. We're dying to hear all about this much talked about concert.

Please don't keep us in suspense!!

Best wishes
Grant

Hi Grant,

I have to keep reminding myself that Kerikeri is about as far from Christchurch as the Shetland Islands are from London so it may take a little longer to find out what happened than it usually does in the UK!

Cheers, Dave

[grant]

dave said:

so it may take a little longer to find out what happened than it usually does in the UK!

But they have computers in the hotel Dave!

Best wishes
Grant

[Dori]

Lol, Grant!! That's funny. I'm a little impaitent myself! I couldn't make it to the concert, but i want to see what i've missed!!
We're waiting, poeple!!!!! :2fun:

Dori

[Stephany]

Hi everyone,

I only have one question.
Were the tissues useful, Belinda?

Stephany

[Belinda]

Hi Guys,
Well i had thought of making you wait


We had got there early and went to the bar where Marianne ordered Champagne of course nothing less for the best night of her life as she called it later .
After we finished our drinks we headed for the foyer i spotted jill busy as usually and isaac,
Marianne had a brief word with Isaac then we went in and found our seats.
right in front of Hayley no drinking bottle to roll off stage into our lap just a glass of water on the floor.
The time went quickly the auditorium fillled up the lights went down and Ian and fiona came on to the stage followed by Hayley
Hayley was wearing the same beautiful dress i think you saw her wearing at Bath and the xmas concerts.Black with gold.
I watched a grown up Hayley glide across the stage to the microphone.
Of course i knew it was Hayley but over two years her voice her performance and she has grown more spectacular than the last time i saw her sing Live in Early 2006
.Wow we have a world class performer here i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
Marianne was grinning like a cheshire cat and repeatedly elbowed me img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/KeithS/2funny.gif[/img] which i think Hayley saw .
Hayley first sang Prayer followed by Ava Maria telling us the story of the sheet music from her nana.
She then sang Scarborough fair
I always think Hayley should sing this in a video on Scarborough beach in chch or atop of Cave rock (Well one can dream) i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
Fiona did 4 pieces Two at this stage and two later, one of course was Martin and Mary which she briefly told the irish story and looked down and theres a lady in the front row who has knows this story i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif the others i can remember were Dark eyes and Cinema Paradiso, still cant think of the other but of course ithey were all was magic.
Not forgetting Ian who always does a grand performance with very little recognition of his great keyboard talents i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
Hayley Came back and sang another of my favourites Summer fly i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
then the Water is wide i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
The next song i was very pleased Hayley chose to do it was Lascia Chio Pianga
On hearing Hayley was to sing this Mariannes eyes opened wide Hayley saw this and said something.
like i can see you recognise it.
Hayley then sang Danny Boy and the first Half was finished .
No photos in the theatre sorry because we were doing as we were told. not like someone in the middle of the theatre first name beginning with J
In the interval we spotted Gerald he shook Marianne and Graemes hands and when i offered mine i got a hug instead.
The announcement came over to return to your seats so we did .
Here is the Set list Graeme seemed to acquire i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

I have only been home a few hours from a long car trip to ferry to bus to plane to car it's been along day and i start work at 5.30am so i'm not doing the second half now but the set list lets you know what Hayley Sang i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
The two where there are two songs we got Summer Fly and Sonny.

IBelinda

[Belinda]

Part two,

After Interval

Oh No I've forgotten
Just Kidding i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
Fiona did her two pieces i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifto which the crowd responded very well
Hayley then returned and graciously instructing us to applaud Fiona more.
Hayley was now wearing the Green dress . Which Jill described as Hayley's Greek Goddess dress.
But to me its very Kiwi with what looks like jade all round it.
We were treated to Pokarekare Ana at this time Hayley mentioned she was a little worried with her pronunciation as she had been away so long looking in my direction.
So i said yes way too long.
to which she agreed and mentioning my name i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif.
She said Overseas she can get away with little mistakes
Next was Who Painted the moon Black
Hayley had chosen the songs well for this concert.
Hayley said the next song has a hundred verses and the doors are locked
But Hayley we would have happily stayed and listened to them i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
She said No i've chosen my favourite three i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif and then Wowed us with them.
Followed by May it be then Santa Lucia.
The lady beside me was humming a way to more than one of Hayley's songs and i dont mean Marianne and seemed delighted at Hayley announcing she was to sing In Trutina.
Then Hayley sang us Hine Hine she mentioned it was a Lullaby but never mentioned the little kiwi heading for his bed
Then like a bolt of lightening she said thats the end
and disappeared of stage and of course we were having none of that and clapped and stamped our feet to she returned i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
Hayley Headed for the piano and sat down and said I'm new at this but i do love playing the piano this is called Sonny.
Sorry Hayley
But sometimes when I'm thinking you'll never coming back to NZ.
I change the words about someone else not coming home

Hayley did the song proud then like all of us there
The seat did not want her to go either and stayed attached to her dress she had moved the seat forward and it took about 3 attempts to get it free.
I was thinking be careful don't rip it

Belinda

The Hand out from the concert not really a pro gramme
i16.photobucket.com/albums/b30/kiwihutchie/IMG_0002-2.jpg[/IMG]



Hayley Signed the Treasure pro gramme Akito sent from Japan

[thomas]

Hi Belinda!

Thank you so much for your first report! Great that you had such a wonderful time and saw the Westenra family as well a few times. Can't wait to read more and see some pictures. Did you all come back to earth yet? Especially Marianne who has seen Hayley only once before I guess.

Best wishes,
Thomas

[Stephany]

Hello Belinda,

This is truly wonderful. It looks as though you all had a fantastic day. I'm so pleased for you i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
The songlist is very interesting - glad to hear that you got 'Summer Fly'. I have the feeling that Hayley feels more comfortable doing it with Fiona Pears.

Look forward to seeing Graeme & Marianne's reports as well.
And more information about your day and the after-concert meeting.
And pics

Lots of love,
Stephany