Grrrreat weekend.

**Lou Girardin** · 29th November 2005, 08:20

We drove down to Welly to see the Fooeys, what a brilliant show. All we were expecting and more. Dave Grohl is a great showman. But the security at the events centre was a bit weird, confiscating studded belts, female security frisking my wife, but no-one frisked me!
And the liquor licence stopped at 9.00.

And Welly people in the seated area get up and boogie, never seen that in Auck. But then several hundred jumping aroung on St James balconys would be a little scary.
Then the rest of the weekend disappeared in a blur of shopping, eating, drinking. Logan Brown has to be in the top three restaurants in NZ. Expensive, but worth every cent.

We went to Martinborough on Sunday. we must have been early because we didn't get blitzed by bikers over the Rimutakas. They arrived after we did.
We had dinner at the French Bistro which is owned by John Campbells parents. You can see the resemblance between Father and son easily, everthing was "gorgeous".
Monday we headed back through Palmy via the Paihiatua track, this piece of road is made for bikes, do the Welly crew do it much?
Apart from the boring straights bits getting to it and back, I'd be getting up there as often as poss.
We had a screaming tail wind for most of the way back, even in a cage it's hard to judge your speed with nearly no wind noise. We were creeping near 'walking speed' far too often, no drama though. Didn't see any cops, apart from 3 HP in 3 km's on Riverside Rd between Ngaruawahia and Huntly, very strange place for them to be.
Heading down on Friday was a case of "i wish I was on the bike", beautiful blue skies all the way to Levin. Coming back was "glad I'm not on the bike", I must be getting soft.

**skelstar** · 29th November 2005, 10:14

Glad you enjoyed yourself in Welly-ville. Sounds like the concert was good. Got a great write-up here in the DomPost.
Ive not done the Pah-track but then I dont get up there all that often. I think the locals ride it quite often.

**spudchucka** · 29th November 2005, 23:24

Jeez Lou, ya could have dropped in for a cuppa and a catch up while you were down this way.

**Lou Girardin** · 30th November 2005, 07:21

Originally Posted by spudchucka

Jeez Lou, ya could have dropped in for a cuppa and a catch up while you were down this way.

We were on a mission, sorry Spud, I did keep an eye out for you though

Were you on duty in the city centre around 10.00AM? Two cops in the car.

**spudchucka** · 30th November 2005, 07:50

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

We were on a mission, sorry Spud, I did keep an eye out for you though

Were you on duty in the city centre around 10.00AM? Two cops in the car.

I don't work in the city and I wasn't working over the weekend so you could have come over to my place for a couple of Raddler's.

**Lias** · 30th November 2005, 08:14

But the security at the events centre was a bit weird, confiscating studded belts, female security frisking my wife, but no-one frisked me!

Security at the events center has always been anally retentive. Concerts at the old town hall were generally much better, I remember the first Pantera show I went to many years ago, and the doors were late opening.. the crowd was banging the ever loving shit out of the doors, the security were getting scared and they sent a guy out on the upstairs balcony with a bullhorn to try and calm everyone down, while a bunch of large gents are attempting to kick the doors down and a few thousand people are screaming "Pan-te-ra". Good times.

But then several hundred jumping aroung on St James balconys would be a little scary.

Never been there, but I'm heading up tomorrow night for Motorhead. I'd be surprised if there isnt alot of moshing in the aisles tomorrow.

Logan Brown has to be in the top three restaurants in NZ. Expensive, but worth every cent.

Next time your down that way, check out Il Casino. Top notch italian grub, maybe not quite as pricey as logan brown, but getting up there.

**Lou Girardin** · 30th November 2005, 09:33

Originally Posted by LiasTZ

Security at the events center has always been anally retentive. Concerts at the old town hall were generally much better, I remember the first Pantera show I went to many years ago, and the doors were late opening.. the crowd was banging the ever loving shit out of the doors, the security were getting scared and they sent a guy out on the upstairs balcony with a bullhorn to try and calm everyone down, while a bunch of large gents are attempting to kick the doors down and a few thousand people are screaming "Pan-te-ra". Good times.

Never been there, but I'm heading up tomorrow night for Motorhead. I'd be surprised if there isnt alot of moshing in the aisles tomorrow.

Next time your down that way, check out Il Casino. Top notch italian grub, maybe not quite as pricey as logan brown, but getting up there.

Been there years ago, we're planning on a return bout after next years renovations.
Although I do have an issue with paying $20.00 plus for food I grew up on.

**Lias** · 30th November 2005, 10:32

Been there years ago, we're planning on a return bout after next years renovations.
Although I do have an issue with paying $20.00 plus for food I grew up on.

Lucky bastard.. I grew up on mince n sausages n lentils n crap.