Dyb Dyb Duck

Lady Devotea and I saw Elvis Costello at the Thebarton Theatre in Adelaide sometime in the 90s. Much as we like his recordings, in person he was aloof: ignoring the audience and seemed intent on adding a discordant note to his more popular songs. It was self-indulgent on his part and we did not enjoy it much.

A few weeks ago we saw him again at an outdoor festival at a winery: he was aloof: ignoring the audience and seemed intent on adding a discordant note to his more popular songs. It was self-indulgent on his part and we did not enjoy it much.

I guess we should have learned from the first time.

Lady Devotea & I both attended a music festival at Thebarton Oval in 1983.  Not together, it was a few months before we met. Whilst the headline acts (Little River Band with John Farnham, Dragon, Moving Pictures) were all excellent, Joe Camileri was there, on his first solo tour after disbanding Jo Jo Zep and The Falcons. I love the popular recordings of JJZ&TF , but in person Camileri was self indulgent and played an incredibly egotistical set.

Then a few weeks ago, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons were the support act to Elvis Costello. The verdict: self indulgent and played an incredibly egotistical set. He appears to believe there is no song that cannot be improved by adding at least two 5 minute saxophone solos to them.

I guess we should have learned from the first time.

The first time we attended an outdoor festival at a winery; there was no good tea available.

We learned, and last year, we simply took a flask of Lord Petersham

So, even though it wasn’t the greatest day musically, the gorgeous summer’s evening and a really nice flask of tea should have been on the menu this time, right?

WRONG!

In reading through the ticket rules, it said no flasks or any other way of bringing in liquid, except for sealed water bottles.

WHAT?

NO FLASKS? No selection of fine teas to take with us? No iced teas? We’d packed  a lovely picnic, but what were we going to have with it?

Well, I will not be denied. I simply purchased cups of boiling hot water for $1 from the avaricious coffee van and steeped up some 1910.

HOW?

Well, like the Scouts, we had come prepared.

One small package of tea.

And one duck.

A pancake stall gave us a little milk for Lady D.

When you’re out and about on a  beautiful day, enjoying each other’s company, with the sun about to set and an atmosphere to soak up, a lovely picnic just consumed; even a second five minute saxophone solo just one minute after the last one seems bearable with a lovely cup of tea.

Always be prepared.

For tea, that is.