Well, along with about 12000 others we descended on Hanging Rock on the 21st to hear Leonard Cohen and friends.
It was annoying getting there, sublime once we arrived and frustrating trying to get away.
On advice we decided to park at Woodend and catch one of the shuttle buses to the concert as we figured driving into Hanging Rock and parking would be a nightmare. We were right on the latter seeing the traffic jam as the bus (eventually) rattled in on its own right of way but, like the organisers, we underestimated the number of shuttle buses that would run. So having started to queue at 2:30 we didn’t get on a bus until after four then arrived at the venue at about 4:30. Good run, slow organisers.
Unfortunately this meant we missed Dan Sultan’s 30 minute set. While slightly annoyed, Cath was devastated to miss his mellow crooning and maybe visual appeal? Glad we booked seats, even if they only turned out to be plastic chairs. Meant we had a definite place, without the need to fight for rug space and a view through heads like concerts at the Music Bowl but less civilised.
Having settled in and found the bar and loos we were able to relax to the sounds of Clare Bowditch for another short warm up set, before getting fully immersed into local whites and yummy cheese. Then it was some classic Paul Kelly with Vika and Linda Bull provided some very smooth, soulful support and the occasional lead. Vikka sing “so much water..” was just amazingly moving.
From there we moved into the man himself for two sets lasting what seemed like a lifetime but was about two and a half hours.
Much seemed familiar and it was hard to know what was his and what he acquired but it was all brilliantly delivered in typical Leonard Cohen deep tones, gravelly or smooth as suited. Some people around us suggested it was the same repertoire as for his last few concerts but they were still back for a repeat so they must have felt it was worth it. (I did later download his London live concert and yes it is pretty much the same, but who cares it was still brilliant)
Dancing at the edge of love, everybody knows, Suzanne and more. The crowded ooh’ed and aah’ed at all the right times. The Web sisters had divine voices, the Spanish guitarist was magic as were all his other support musicians. We all crooned along with Alleluia and croaked out “then we take Berlin”. Gee the local white was good. 
Then there was the shuttle bus home. Nightmare queue! No control, no order, no buses for long periods and no clear information … “We load one at a time, or maybe not”, “Wait here, or there”, one poor girl trying to make sense while the drivers did what they felt was right, leaving without full loads stopping all over the place. What were those 6 security guys doing? Not much just watching from a distance. Not sure I would trust Dyson buses and who every else was running transport to do it again. Yet once again once on board after over an hours wait, it was a quick trip back to Woodend past snaking lines of almost stationary cars, so it was still the best option, just very frustrating. A little information can go a long way.
Sarah Island was meant to be the harshest penal colony in Tasmania prior to the setting up of Port Arthur prison. It was also the starting point for the story of the “ship that never was”, the last escape from this inescapable prison. Here we once again met the cast from the 
Hope we got everyone back, but I don’t remember seeing those Round Earth blokes again?
