Live Free or Die...

Now, the time has come. For New Hampshire to be revisited. Flannel shirts to be stocked, empty/full beer cans to be smashed across ones forehead and random firearms to be shot in the air.... That's right. Time to go see my bro.....
To the dulcet strains of AC/DCs Thunderstruck....
....we are met with pulsing guitar riffs and cold beers at the bus station. What more could one expect??? We were scheduled to fly in to a nearby airport/random field, however that would have got us in FAR too late and we would have missed the................... much anticipated, much chatted about, annual Sunapee "Honey I broke the big wheel race"... starring .....CAPTAIN AUSTRALIA!!! The ultimate race, where MEN, become BOYS....!!!

Races are had, stacks are celebrated and hay bails are torn to shreads from the massive Sunapee Mountain peak above. The winner races by in a small little cart that would barely contain my left ass cheek, at a speed of 31 MPH. That's right, MILES per hour. The sheer unsafetiness of it all would be astounding if it wasn't for the 15 year old safety officers telling us to steer clear of the 31 MPH big wheen buggies. Thanks for the tip! It even made the front page of the local paper! Tough day for news...




Afterwards, what better way to celebrate, than with a PARTY! Us, and what seems to be half the populace of Sunapee New Hampshire, adjourn to my brother and his wife's place, for much food, and even more beer. The beer of choice being, PBR!!! Mmmm, beer.... And Shawn and Linz being the awesome hosts they are, we are in plentiful supply of everything.

After much consumption of said PBR, dangerous firework launches ("Mark, let it go, LET IT GO!!!!"), tobacco chewing and snuggie wearing, we decide to adjourn to bed as we realise that the lady of the house, one adorable Katie Walkinshaw ("Katie. Katie. Katie..."), will be awake in a small matter of hours, and that is one wake up call you can't hit the snooze button on!


So, we wake up the next morning, with sore heads, but with excitement on our brows as we realise that today was 'FIREWORKS DAY', and the day of the BIG SUNAPEE 4TH OF JULY PARADE! With Lemonade stands galore...

...the parade storms through the streets. Fire Engines blaring, the First Grader float wetting themselves with excitement with their water pistols, however the steam run steamroller was an unfortunate absentee this year. It was sorely missed.
The hospitality of this tight knit community is amazing, people opening their doors for everyone, offering food and beverages to all. A tad different to ol' Dulwich Hill, where we barely know our neighbours names!
After an exciting morning, we head off to the 'Pond' for a boat ride and a swim. This so called pond is now what you would expect and is actually a massive beautiful lake, bigger than Sydney Harbour!



The water is absolutely amazing and we decide to get some rays, soaking up the sun like a fried breakfast does with the nights before debaucherous liquid intake...
But, no rest for the wicked! The big 4th of July party at Lindsay's folks place is to take place that afternoon, with the big finale being the huge Walkinshaw Firework Spectacular!!!! Me and the bro start creating several 'playlists' with what to entertain the hordes of eager explosion effused aficianados on the foreshore of Jim and Cyndi's place. we set them up to great effect, well, Shawn does the technical stuff, and I do the grunt work. Our very own firework spectacular. Sydney Harbour New Years, eat your heart out!



We chill out with some food, and some more PBR, and listen to our live Guitar Man, and watch the sun go down over the beautiful lake, the darkness setting in, not knowing it will soonly be rudely awoken.... :)

Darkness falls. Showtime.
We all get on the boat, and ever so slowly take the jetty full of explosive contraband, out to the middle of the lake, for full effect, and to not harm any innocent, law abiding citizens of New Hampshire! (Us, on the other hand, tweak the nipples of danger, and are ready for all that comes before us!!!)
Time for the show...
With a couple of minor technical issues, the fireworks go off and are spectacular! With prime position seating in the boat next to the launchsite, we get the full effect of the expensive contraband exploding in front of us!
 

The fireworks are a success, and we savour the show, the sweet nectar of PBR caressing our lips.
With all that excitement, we have a (reasonably) early night, and are in bed by the stroke of midnight. Another early morning to be had!
We awaken early, and a little fresher than the previous morning, though feeling better than roadkill is not saying much. Time to go meet us some Yokels!!!
We head to the Sunday morning ducksville Flea Mart, where you see all manner of things. Old stuff, new stuff, cheap, dusty and nasty crap, crazy eccentric crud from a bygone era and the odd gem.

And that was just the locals!
So before we start feeling like a sibling of Cletus, the slack jawed yokel, we buy some more junk to add to the junk we have already bought, and set off...

We hang out and head off to see Shawn and Linz's new property. Right on the lake, it looks like Shawn has got some vision for this new abode! Their new property is actually in Springfield, which Shawn is just stoked about. It even has its own Power Plant! Am yet to find any three eyed fish though...
With waitress extraordinaire Linz practically running the show, we head off to the best Mexican in town for dinner!!!! (the fact it is the ONLY Mexican is totally irrelevant...) http://lilredbaron.com/

After an absolute feast of nachos, quesadillas, margaritas, sangria and more, we collapse, hands above our heads, surrendering to the excesses (after safely being driven home by yours truly may I say! No lives were lost! Huzzah!...) (note: Junior had only two drinks and was totally under the limit, so Niecey, please stop worrying....) :)



After a reasonably early night (who knew?!?!? Thought we would be on the turps 24/7 at ol' Bar Walkinshaw!), we are taken out for breakie by our gracious hosts and hostesses, and taken to the bus stop for the next segment of our illustrious adventure.

Bawston!!!!

Watch this space...... :)