I woke up on Saturday morning to find a note on the table from Fi (“Gone swimming!”) and a shaky feeling of surrealism as I relived, in my mind, the events of the day before. Before I could get too caught up in trembling thoughts, though, the day was off and running and I was off and running with it. Off and running and skipping and twirling and singing and dazzling and gallivanting… only partly metaphorically.
After collecting Fi from the swimming pool, the two of us met up with another SWGC alto (I’m a soprano, by the by. In case anyone is interested. Which, most likely, you aren’t. The end.) and headed to Moruya’s Saturday markets.
At the Moruya markets, we found donuts…
… the photos of which were taken by a camera that decided to suddenly bathe all and sundry in an incredibly blinding white glow.
At the Moruya markets, we also spied a dog trapped in a terrifying Leg Prison…
…but before I could pull out my Superhero Cape to save the pup, I found myself distracted by the flavoured nuts stand. Wasabi macadamias, caramelised macadamias, Vienna almonds, honey cashews, honey peanuts, tamari almonds, and honey sesame cashews, I tried them all. And then didn’t actually buy any because I suddenly realised that we were going to be late for our first concert if we didn’t skedaddle immediately. Sorry, Nut Stand Man. I totally ate all your samples and then disappeared in the rudest possible way. Please forgive me.
After a quick change of clothing, Fi, J.Alto and I arrived just in time for our first Moruya Jazz Festival gig, the Festival of Voices.
This first performance went not only smoothly but sparklingly, and it made me happy to see my parents, who had driven up that morning, smiling at me from the audience. Well, Mum was smiling. Dad’s face was hidden behind his enormous camera. Thanks, Dad, for the concert photos in these Moruya posts! Your camera is scarily huge and intimidating but altogether welcome in my life.
My dad actually video-recorded several parts of our performances. I love seeing how intently we singers watched and followed the guidance of Dan, our fantasticamical (for today, that’s a real word, okay?) musical director. I was also super delighted with how well our first public attempt at Holy, Holy, Holy turned out, as the jazzy-magical piano improvisations of Andy (whom you met at Jindera) got us in a vibrant and enthusiastically-clappy-clappy singing mood.
With our first performance under our [purple] belts and six hours to go before the next, Fi and I once again proved how intertwined our thoughts are. We each had only one thing on our minds: Paddlepops. Or maybe Golden Gaytimes. To me, there is nothing more quintessential, more necessary, more inevitable when at the coast than the thrill of trying to eat a Paddlepop (or Golden Gaytime) before it melts all over your fingers.
However, knowing that you don’t have to be female to enjoy ice cream, I quickly darted over to Andy and Dan in the hopes of convincing them to join our ice cream adventure. Before I could get them to say yes, however, I found myself enveloped in words of condolence for my grandma’s passing and the kind of squeezy-wonderful hugs that (for as long as they last and a little bit after) make all your sadness fade away.
And then we went for ice cream.
(There seemed to be some sort of gendered ice cream behaviour going on that day, because both boys went for Magnums whereas Fi and I selected Paddlepops. Surely there’s a PhD in that?)
I’m a fan of this photo; it’s like “Where’s Wally?” but with ice cream instead of Wally. “Where’s Hannah’s Paddlepop?”
Can you find it? A hint: look for the pink that appears to be a tail-light.
But just in case you need proof…
Rainbow: it’s the most delicious of all the flavours.
P.S. The second half of this day was perhaps even more magical than the first, if you can believe it. (And more scary too. Because, well, my solo.) But we’ll get to that in good time.
Oh no sorry Hannah, I think the chocolate paddle pop is the best!
Uh oh. I fear for our friendship right now.
Actually, this is good. We’ll never have to share!
There was never any talk of sharing LOL!!!!
Good woman.
I am a banana paddlepop gal myself
ps – for some reason it wont let me post my comment – so if you get multiples….sorry!
It put you in spam! Thank heavens I decided to check through all 364 spam comments tonight! :S Would’ve hated to miss this, because… WHAT?! Banana? That blew my mind. I honestly didn’t think anyone ever bought those ones
I’m sorry, I’m with the boys, I’m all about a the almond magnum…mmm….although I did cave into frosty fruits the other day…so refreshing!
And yay for a gig that went well!
I used to be an alto in my highschool madrigal group, kinda miss that group singing feelin’!
Magnums are all well and good, but to me those are intertwined with holidays with my grandparents. Beach means paddlepops
Yay choirs! I love, love, love mine. Hated having a week off this week!
Oh lord. Nuts, Paddlepops, Golden Gaytimes, Magnums…I don’t know what any of those things are (besides nuts), but my head is totally overflowing with euphemistic imagery right now.
Oh my heavens, you’re right. We Australians have rather naughty-sounding ice creams. Have you ever heard of the Calippo? I’m going to leave you to your imagination when you’ve google-image-searched that one.
I have no words.
And this is why I’ll make the best bridesmaid ever
Bachelorette party with all manner of phallic and ball-shaped desserts?!?
Oh-ho, there’ll be balls! Balls with cream inside, balls of all shapes and sizes, balls in singles and in pairs…
And also fairies and unicorns and teddy-bears and Disney movies, because we’ve got to keep it clean, ladies.
Rainbow Paddlepop, blue sky and a NSW coast – you’ve taken me back to my childhood
. These days I would normally go for the Magnum myself too (caramel or coffee, thank you for asking …) but always a Paddlepop when at the beach.
Also, fantasticamical is most definitely a real word and always will be!
P.S. as someone who has resorted to the ‘leg prison’ before, that dog is only still there because it chooses to be …
Haha! This is so true! We try to put Oreo in “leg prison” sometimes, but he gets out as soon as he wants to.
*laughs* I know, I know. In fact, my grandpa used to occasionally put me in just such a leg prison when I was really little, and yep, you only stay if you’re having fun
Hurrah for childhood memories of happiness? But wait, what? COFFEE Magnums?! Where where? I want! So glad you’re with me on the paddlepops being necessary at the beach though
You and I are clearly fantasticamical.
The nut guy at the Moruya markets is usually at the Old Bus Depot markets, so if you are wanting any of those flavours, you can get them there.
I am definitely a chocolate paddlepop girl, have never been able to do the rainbow flavour thing.
Uh oh! You mean I’m going to have to hide from him in shame at the OBD markets too?!
But rainbow is so delicious! So very delicious! (I’m pretty sure it’s just caramel, really
)
I knew I’d tasted those nuts somewhere. Is he also the same one who goes to Floriade?
Hmm. Floriade is always just Vienna almonds and caramelised macadamias, isn’t it? So either he just does a streamlined selection there, or it’s someone different? The wasabi seaweed ones were new to me
Oh Nut Stand Man, we all feel your pain at a lost sale. Oh Paddlepop, how I long to learn of your delights. Oh alto, how I disliked being you in high school; being you was in my teenaged mind halfway to turning into a boy. In my nowadays mind, I don’t suppose I’ve changed my mind stance much, but just for myself of course. Not for the lovely SWGC alto delights.
Can it be such a bad Leg Prison if the legs are so smooth and well-kept, aka stronger and more fantasticamically athletic than mine?
But surely the Nut Stand Man should be honoured that I was sneaking so many tastes of his nuts? (Wait, that sounds wrong…) Emma, when you come here, you will experience not only the delighted of the Paddlepop but also the Golden Gaytime and the Bubble O’Bill. With his widdle bubblegum nose and all.
Oh Emma, you could never be halfway to a boy. Certainly not with your love of Heartland and Make It or Break It, for one
Tangent: half of our tenors are female!
And I’m sure your legs are spectacular.
Yay for rainbow paddlepops. Although, just recently I read somewhere something that broke my heart.
APPARENTLY, rainbow paddlepops are just caramel flavoured and not rainbow flavoured! Blasphemy!
I’m glad the trip went well and you sung your beautiful soprano heart out (as try as I may, I could never reach beyond an alto’s range. Was mighty jealous of all my soprano friends).
Yes, I’ve known that for a few years now, but in my heart I still call them “rainbow-flavoured”. Life is simply better that way.
And thank you
Interestingly, I would have put myself in the altos if it had been my decision, but when Dan checked my range he placed my with the sops. And voila! Practising in the higher ranges has shown me that I can do it, I just needed to have confidence. That said, I’m definitely a second soprano, not a crazy first with the incredibly piercing notes!
I had a vague idea where Moruya is, but I just looked it up. It’s very close to a little town called Congo. I didn’t know there is such a place in Australia.
Puppy dogs willingly enter that prison. I don’t think they want to be rescued by kind hearted girls who eat Paddlepops!
Just as well I got distracted, then, otherwise I would have been the Dog Kidnapper, not the Dog Saviour! Plus, just between you and me, that’s not a breed of dog I’d particularly want around, though I’m sure that particular pup was a sweetie
Also, Congo?! I didn’t know that either!
What? Congo is where we were going to stay if circumstances hadn’t changed our trip into a day one.
Oh, really? Well, now I feel silly. But how was I to know?
Hahaha leg prison. Love it!
Also, rainbow paddle pops! eee that just got me so excited even though I am current in frigid weather
Yay that you know and love the paddlepop! But we all know that frigid weather simple means you eat ice cream in front of the heater
You know, I completely forgot about the donuts, what with the singing and the paddlepops and the afternoon’s stunning wonderfulness!
Been thinking of you and your family today xxxx
See, aren’t you glad now that you suffered through and helped me create these blog posts? It’s paying you back in memories!
Thanks love, I knew you were and it meant so much xo
I’ve been doing a catch up on your news and am sorry to hear about your grandmother. It sounds like you have the family, friends and activities you need to get you through this sad time. My grandfather died six years ago and I still get teary when I talk about him…..
Paddlepop must be chocolate. It doesn’t look pretty but must be chocolate.
Thank you Kath. I truly appreciate it. *hugs*
You know, I’m tempted to start poking fun at “you chocolate paddlepop people”, but then I remember that, for most of my life, I was one of you. It’s just that, these days, I prefer my chocolate more hardcore and my ice cream sweet
Hurray! Rainbow paddlepops!
Golden Gaytimes are pretty awesome too. And they have a hilarious catch phrase.
I was a second alto when I used to be in a chorale…. a long long time ago
I love a good old eskimo pie – do you?
Fi is a second alto! Yay for second altos! I’m a second sop. Yay for seconds!
*high five for Rainbow Paddlepop and Golden Gaytime lovin’*
But alas, no, I never got into the Eskimo Pies. I think perhaps because I had such good memories of American ice cream sandwiches, and nothing of that ilk in Australia compared in my heart!
You had a solo? That is ridiculously exciting (said by the person who didn’t have to sing solo)
And I love that you’re a soprano. I’m a nothing because my voice doesn’t seem to have any range, nor does it carry particularly well, but I think soprano sounds impressive!
I love the running, skipping and twirling (metaphorically or otherwise), nuts, impressively coloured paddle pop, the friends and singing and hugs, and that your parents made it up
I love the whole weekend for you actually. I hope the return to Canberra has been as smooth as one could hope xo
Thank you Kari!!
Yes, I did, and I was terrified. But more on that in later posts 
It’s funny to take about range and carrying, though, because my voice has honestly strengthened so much since just February this year, rehearsing once a week. We could get you to solo status in no time, I’m sure 
Oh Kari, you’re so/too wonderful to me. Thank you for helping me remember how wonderful the weekend was, particularly as this week has been rather stressful and up-and-down and hard-going at times. xo
What! no gaytimes! that would be my choice – though I do have a fine appreciation for a magnum! Glad you had a good time with your choir – am sure your grandma would be pleased
There were definitely some bites of Golden Gaytimes on Sunday
And thank you, Johanna. It was her funeral today, so it’s really lovely to hear you say that xo
Those donuts look delicious!
Cinnamon sugar makes everything better
Wow… You can sing AND cook too?!?!? What CAN’T you do, Hannah!! Give the rest of us less skilled simpletons a break!! ;p I kid I kid… Lovely to read your posts as always =]
*laughs and laughs* Oh, Winston, you’re making me blush
I can’t: cope with technological *anything* (html? CSS? I can’t even figure out how to put a picture of me in my sidebar 
); punch properly; stop myself from eating nut butters with a spoon… to name just a few 
This paddlepop brings childhood memories~it looks like something I used to love and it looks delishhhh. Haha, that leg prison part made me laugh so much! The dog looks kind of miserable….:P Oh! And I’m toootally interested in your singing soprano! I wish I could hear you. I truly appreciate it when people use their gifts, and I appreciate the fact that you have such a cool one too
Oh, thanks Ellie! Everyone else had a bit of a go at me about how the dog wouldn’t want to be saved from the Leg Prison
Golly, would you really want to hear me singing?! My dad did take a video, though I don’t quite know how to get videos on my blog..?! And thank you! I doubt I’m good enough to call it a gift though 
This post would totally have been better if there’d be horses.
Hey, what flavour is a rainbow paddle pop? I feel like it should be bubble gum flavoured…
Err, if there’d been horses. Apparently when I think of horses, I lapse into cowboy speak.
That sounds more like pirate to me. Arrrrr, there be horses! Starboard, port! Ahoy me hearties! Arrrrr!
I believe it’s caramel. Therefore I’m not reneging on my promise to never go near bubblegum ice cream again
I do hope “the pink that appears to be a tail light” didn’t end up on the shirt that was supposed to be white. Oh, and great concert btw.
I hope so too! Oops
So lovely to have you there, ma.
I don’t know what Paddlepops taste like, but I wish we had them here, just because of their name
Congrats on a good performance!
Teehee, depends on the flavour! There are chocolate paddlepops, banana paddlepops… I think rainbow is caramel flavoured
I’m really sorry about your grandma, Hannah – she sounds wonderful.
Thanks for another beautiful post.
On the ice-cream front, I’m surprised to find out that rainbow paddlepops are caramel – I’ve avoided them my whole life because I assumed they’d be bubblegum, which I hate! I’ll have to give them a go, because whilst I like chocolate and I like ice-cream, I’m not really keen on chocolate ice-cream including paddlepops.
Thank you, Amanda, for your lovely and supportive comment. *hugs*
Oh, definitely try the rainbow paddlepops soon! They’re utterly delicious, and utterly NOT bubblegum (*shudder*). And hear hear for avoiding chocolate in ice cream form!
*hugs you back* – I assume you’re used to e-hugs with complete strangers by now, and I can tell that you’d give good hugs!
Have you ever tried any other caramel-flavoured ice cream? I just remembered that I had caramel gelato at Brunetti’s once, which was really sickly sweet and disappointing… (as I hear a lot of their stuff is)
Teehee, no one who comments on my blog is a stranger, particularly when hugs are involved
e-hugs are almost as good as real hugs, anyway!
I’ve had Berthillon’s salted caramel ice cream in Paris, which has pretty much ruined me for all other caramel ice cream. Forever. And ever.
(I miss Paris!)
Mmhmm, e-hugs are still full of warm fuzzies
I’ve never actually had salted caramel anything, I shall have to try!
I miss Paris too, I went on a school trip nearly six years ago – I think it would most likely be a whole different experience now. Such a beautiful city, with people who speak a beautiful language
Oh, I’m so envious! My school started planning a Paris trip when I was in year 10, but it fell through. I had to wait until I was 22 to go! And yes, it’s just a beautiful, beautiful city
Great pics and lovin’ the donut pics. I am planning on making some this weekend!
Thanks Averie! I bet your donuts will be amazing
Glad the performance went well!
Although my sister and I have maintained since we were children in the 80s that the best Paddle Pop flavour was the spearmint/chocolate combo they used to make. It was divine!
If I close my eyes and think *really* hard, I think I can vaguely remember that one! Was it kind of one flavour inside the other, or am I making that up?
You are correct! it was chocolate on the outside and the top half was spearmint on the inside. Sooooo good.
I do! I remember! Oh, darn you Julia! Now my soul is yearning too!
Did anyone rescue that poor dog??? I would love a few of those doughnuts right now.
I bet I could have rescued the dog by waving one of these donuts in front of its nose… but most people seem to think it wouldn’t have wanted rescuing
Ooh, a solo. I know you were amazing. How could you not be after a dozen different flavors of nuts and an ice cream bar?
Exactly, cross-world-soul-sister! Surely everyone could sing a solo with a little help from flavoured nuts and ice cream
Im totally a banana paddle pop girl. Still love me? Leg Prison!! Best.
Heidi xo
I could never stop loving you, even if there was an orange paddlepop and you said you liked that best. SEE HOW MUCH YOU MEAN TO ME?
xo
I love the rainbow ice cream. I’ve never tasted a rainbow, but I’m sure they taste fabulous.
They taste like caramel and happiness
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