Kerikeri, NZ - 26th January 2008

[Richard]

Many thanks for your first report, Belinda!

I'm glad you all had a great time, and I'm really looking forward to reading more and seeing the photographs.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[Martin]

Hi Belinda
I echo Richard's post and look forward to the rest when you have more time.

This is the first new report I have read of a Hayley concert from NZ since I joined the Forum so it particularly poignant.

Best wishes
Martin

[gra7890]

Hi Belinda,
Glad you all had a great time.
Like Grant I was waiting last night for the first post but eventually had to leave it until this morning.
Looking forward to the photos.
Graham

[Mark]

Hi Belinda

Wow - I'm so pleased for you all. It sounds like you had a wonderful time and I can't wait to see the after show photos. It must have been lovely to see Hayley and her family again and it sounds as though they may have made it special for you

Like Martin, this will be the first time since joining the forum that I will have read a concert report from New Zealand - it does make it extra special

Looking forward to hearing more.........

Best wishes
Mark

[Dori]

Hello Belinda,
Thanks for the fantastic report. Too bad i had to miss such a lovely concert. How long are you going to be in Auckland for?? Where might you be staying?

Dori

[dazza]

Hi Belinda,

Many thanks for your report, I am glad that you had such a great time, I am looking forward to reading further reports and seeing any pictures.

Dazza

[dutchjoyce]

THANKS Belinda,
I'm happy to hear you all had a wonderful night!!
Thank you for your report so far!!!
Can't wait to read more , and really looking forward to se some pictures!! Best wishes, greetings JOYCE

[roger]

Hi Belinda,

Many thanks for your initial report and I am delighted to know that everything went well. One noticeable difference between this event and most of those in the UK is that Hayley drank from a glass - she usually just has a bottle over here! Perhaps you kiwis are more civilized!

Looking forward to hearing more.

Roger

[grant]

Hi Belinda

Many thanks for your initial report from Kerikeri. You obviously had a great time (not that we ever thought you wouldn't) because the enthusiasm just bubbled out of your report.

Great that you all got to meet Hayley as well as the family and I'm really looking forward to hearing more about the concert and seeing pictures.

We've got to have pictures!

Lots of love
Grant

P.S Roger, at Gawsworth Hall last year Hayley had a jug of water and a glass - clearly visible in the image below

[postscript]

roger said:

Hi Belinda,

Many thanks for your initial report and I am delighted to know that everything went well. One noticeable difference between this event and most of those in the UK is that Hayley drank from a glass - she usually just has a bottle over here! Perhaps you kiwis are more civilized!

Looking forward to hearing more.

Roger

I wasn't going to come in on this yet as so many had said what was necessary but I do agree with you, Roger. It actually irritates me that she drinks from a bottle rather than a glass. If the glass might be insufficient, okay, have the bottle by it but I do find the use of a bottle somewhat odd when she is otherwise so singularly neat, tidy and well-mannered.

I am longing to hear of the rest of the family, Belinda, but well done for perseverance so far. I now realise how important it is not to skimp on details. We are learning what it must be like for you Kiwis (and for the rest of the world) when you have only our reporting to go on.

Is it that we are gaining an understanding of your viewpoint or is there something special when reports are coming from her home place?

Does she look as if she has had a holiday? The picture of the green dress certainly shows her as having fun. Are the rest of the family in excited high spirits?

ah. Correction, passing through to catch up where I left off the green dress was a photo of Grant's pointing out that at Gawsworth she had a jug of water and a glass. Perhaps she hasn't got round to adding that demand into her contract?

Peter S.

[comet]

Hi Peter.
On the subject of drinking from the bottle,
if Hayley brings her own bottle of water on stage at least she knows where it has been.

A jug or glass of water left on stage before a concert may well be contaminated with dust from rising curtains or other movement in the venue and as you well know there are some parts of some theaters that have not been cleaned since the day they were built, particularly in the gantry's and equipment above the stage.I also failed to mention that for fireproofing reasons there is a fairly good chance that there is asbestos used in old buildings around the old dimmer panels and possibly in the fire proof curtains and doors.

I notice in Grant's picture the water is covered with a cloth, which also raises the question of the hygiene of the cloth, jug and glass as theaters are not renowned for having hot water and good washing facilities.

So I think we can forgive Hayley for drinking from the bottle, I for one don't blame her one iota.

[postscript]

Your reply 190 comet, not just 'fair comment' but a very important aspect.
Peter S.

[martindn]

Thanks for the report Belinda. I look forward to the rest of it, plus any others that might appear in due course.

So Hayely resisted the temptation to sing PoKerikeri Ana then!

Martin

[Andrew]

stephany said:

Hi everyone,

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

Stephany

Hi Belinda and everybody else!

I suspect one glass of champaigne was a lot more useful than a whole box of tissues!!!

Thank you for your initial feedback Belinda - really looking forward to more!

Andrew

[Joe]

Hi Belinda,

Thanks very much for the first news from Kerikeri. It sounded like quite an evening!

I'm sure the others will report soon, when their feet touch the ground again!

Joe