About last night....

About last night....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Last night was the last show for the three of us together and what a hoot it was. I laughed so hard that at time I couldn't sing. Love that shit.

We are in the van driving up to buckfield, Maine right now to do our last house concert for this weekend with the Lisa's. Tomorrow they are taking us out for a day on the water to look at all the lighthouses. Mostly so Dionne can photograph them but also because they are just pretty, and I like lighthouses.

Its a rain free day so far out here and I wanted to share this silly photo of us from last night taken by the fabulous Cindy, lynnes partner of 22 years. We have met so many couples up here who have been together for a long time....we were joking about settling in Maine because of that. Who knows. We are open right now.

Xxm

Argh

Argh
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

We did it. 15 miles of kick ass riding in between storms. Checking out the countryside and loving the moment of non rain.

We took this photo with KC in mind....

Off to tonights show set up, I swear, there's some great footage to come up soon!!

Xxm

The Kennebec

The Kennebec
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

She's a beauty.....

Kennebec River

Kennebec River
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Me, I'm the one with the hair in the front....just incase you weren't sure.

Lynne Deeves, Dionne and I are out on a ride. My first bike blew a tire and got replaced with a massive mountain bike that has been kicking my ass....literally. After two fun shows here in Maine we now go into the house concert portion of the tour. The favourite part.

Its so crazy peaceful out here (aside from the leaf blower off in the distance) and sitting out here by the Kennebec River surrounded by old Maine buildings and mates, its a joy-filled Saturday.

Xxm

Couldn't

Couldn't
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Have said it better myself....although not sure about the horny toad bit.

Brunswick, Maine.....the land of no prop 8.

Adventures of One Little Aussie - Episode 4

Just stopping in....

Just stopping in....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

For a quick cuppa and a chat. Will let you know if we were able to get the big O to help out on the prop 8 thing in CA. Which of course we are waiting to hear about this morning.

The CA supreme court delivers their decision this morning around 10am pt. Let's hope Iowa got them a thinkin.

Its cold and rainy here in washington DC and we are out walking the cities with our hoodies on. Its kinda exciting to be here with my love taking photos every few steps.

Xxm

Who somehow just got caught up in a German tourist group.....that'll teach me for blogging with my head down.

The Adventures of One Little Aussie - Episode 3

Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

In Dascheville, USA....40 miles from Washington DC.

So wrong.....

So wrong.....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

This stopped us in our tracks as we walked out of the diner and if the photo is a little blurry, its because I was s shaking from laughing so hard.

Xxm

Ahhm

Ahhm
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Consumption of aforementioned root beer floats....

Culpeper, VA

Culpeper, VA
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Mmm....root beer float at Frost's cafe here in tiny Culpeper. We consider it a reward for all our work this weekend....a nice sugar high is about to hit.

Look out Culpeper.....

Xm

End of the festival

End of the festival
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

We are weary but had an awesome time this weekend at the Virginia Womens Festival. We sold most of our musekraft pieces, did a kick ass show that got us an invitation back next year almost as soon as we walked off stage and we met some great fun people who jumped into the adventure with us.

We can't wait to come back next year.

Now we drive to DC for a day off, going to check out the sights up there. I was in DC the first time I came to the US 15 years ago and I remember loving it. We'll see what its like on this memorial day.

Have a great day mates and I will upload more video tonight. Got some funny stuff at the festival this weekend.

Xxm

lost in Virginia....

Yes, its true. I am here at the Virginia Womens Music Festival, on 100 acres of beautiful land and have no cell phone service at all. (stealing service from d's phone right now!!) So, blog posting is going to be limited for the next few days. I have more videos to upload and am loving the energy of the land out here. We have been canoeing, cycling, hiking and now we sit and sell our wares to the crowd here. I perform on Sunday and will aim to keep hydrated and entertained until then!

See you in a few days mates!!

Xxm

Lost

Lost
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

In Virginia......the next residents of Dashville.

Good morning world!

Good morning world!
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

We were up bright and early this morning, 6am to be precise, to make the 10 hour trek to Virginia for the music festival this weekend. I am excited about it, even if we are staying in a cabin with no running water and no electricity. I have brought many fun things to keep us entertained.....board games and stuff. Ahha.

We have started making 'Dashville', the new video blogamentary I am going to start working on soon. These are our first inhabitants, lovingly given to us from people all the way along our travels. So far there's flicker and his boyfriend scotty (drawn to one another despite their animal differences, a love affair built mainly on height). And of course, Pierre, the world famous chef who has escaped to Dashville after a bizarre cooking accident that left him a little loopy (hence the look on his face, some would call it a rabid kind of look.) there's a lot more work to do on our stage before we kick off but just wanted to introduce you to them now. Of course, donations in the form of 'small' things are always welcomed.

More from here soon, happy sweet warm Thursday to you!

Xxm

Work in progress...

Work in progress...
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Its a perfect day here in Indianapolis. Truely. I have been sitting outside in shorts with my girl all day creating new musekraft pieces for our upcoming festivals. There is a slight breeze that feels amazing against my skin and my sweet love comes over and lays her lips on me randomly, her ring around my finger. I feel content in so many ways. The feeling of working with my hands and creating new pieces of art in the midst of the green and clean smelling air...brings the deepest kind of 'Ahhhh'.

Start our drive to Virginia tomorrow. We get a cabin in the woods for the weekend as part of playing there and I am excited to meet the folks who run this festival. I have heard nothing but good things about them all.

Back to the bliss my friends,

Xxm

Mates.....

Mates.....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Hanging out, laughing, drinking beer. Beautiful day in indiana, wondering where the rest of my mates are??

Xxm

T shirt central....

T shirt central....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Here in indiana...we are sewing cute little labels on 150 new tshirts, just because they add a cute look to the shirts.

But now I need a nap.

When I was a kid my parents owned a business that made curtains and stuff. After school my bro and I would spend hours in the warehouse getting lost until I got bored and started to learn how to sew. Cushion covers were my speciality then.....

You can imagine how glad I was that I knew how to sew today. Well, kinda glad. Hope you like them, will show you one of the new T's on Dionne in a minute. She looks mighty fine in it.....

Xxm

Beauty.....

Beauty.....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Is what those boxes held....

Waiting for us in indiana....

Waiting for us in indiana....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Can you guess what's inside?

Joliet

Joliet
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

So, one of the fun things about Lee's house concert in joliet is that she always asks if anyone wants to stay for dinner. Usually there will be a small group of people that stay and we end up having a sweet dinner with good wine and pasta.

This time when she asked.....22 people said yes!!! Talk about making the food stretch.....never mind the table. Here we all are, squished all close together, listening to good stories while eating yummy food. 'Church' at its finest.

I think the greatest thing that house concerts provide is community. A moment to have your soul, heart, and body fed before heading out into the world again. Its a mini oasis.

We now sit in the van for the three hour drive to indiana, talking about the week that's been and what's to come. Ready to do a serious work out to stretch out our bodies and have the next three days off to set up our space, catch up with friends, rehearse a little and make some new musekraft pieces ready for the virginia womens music festival this weekend. Its going to be a busy summer and we are excited by all the opportunities coming our way.

Yay people, yay. Tis all I can say....

Xxm

House concert joy...

House concert joy...
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Here in joliet on a sweet Sunday afternoon. The sun is shining, the laughter abounds and all is well.

Xxm

The Adventures of One Little Aussie - Episode 2

Come....

Come....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

To tonights show and you will get a piece of this....peanut butter silk pie from Perkins in Iowa. Mmm mmm mmm.

I have episode 2 of our video blog to go up but you tube keeps farting and won't let me put it up.

We had a GREAT show in Iowa last night. Big thanks to Lisa for her work in making that happen and to the crew at hamburger marys.

Now we are 'homewood' bound. Haha....Homewood, IL that is.

Xxm

Video Blog....part 1

okay, I am still learning how to do this...but here is part 1!!!!

Of course!

Of course!
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

This is the area our hotel is in.

Ahh Lincoln, Nebraska. Who knew you would be so asleep on a Thursday.

Xxm

Carrot sticks

Carrot sticks
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Over Nebraska is what I call this.

They sure do make em big over this way.

Xxm

Nebraska

Nebraska
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

In a crazy moment of boredom, we found it necessary to stop at the buffal bill trading post in north platte, Nebraska. Here is Dionne, riding one of the locals. Horses that is.

Damn its flat out here. No offense to any Nebraskans out there, but get some hills will ya?

Xxm

indian springs

indian springs
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

This is the look of absolute relaxation. A look I love to see on her face.

We saw signs for hot mineral tubs coming into Colorado today and decided at 6.30PM to find one. Right in front of us was a place called Idaho springs, with the world famous Idaho mineral baths (so they said)....so we took it as a sign, and stopped.

All wrinkly and hot we be from an hour of sitting in an underground hot tub (sorry, no photos, we were nudie) and now we slowly make our way into Denver to find our hotel for the night.

Yes, I am ever grateful for my life. Never for a moment taking any of this for granted and saying a million thank yous to the universe.

Xxm

One extreme

One extreme
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

To the other. The temperature has dropped by 40 degrees and driving through the Rockies is a little white knuckled for me....given my limited experience in cold climates. But what an amazing day this has been. The Colorado river is amazing too and I hope to be fast enough to grab a photo of it soon.

This is an amazing journey already. I am so thankful for it and for my love sitting next to me sharing the experience with me. Its always nice to share a wow with her.

Xxm

And one more

And one more
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Just because.....

I call this...

I call this...
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

The sphinx....

Can you see it?

I swear, so many rocks look like faces and 'things'. Baby heads, bazillions of alien faces, dogs, camels....I can see them all. Roarschack would be proud....

Xm

From atop....

From atop....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Our quick pass by of delicate arch turned into a hike to the top of it. We just couldn't resist it. It only took us an hour to climb the mile and a half up and damn, its worth it. The view from the top is spectacular.

This is the view of the delicate arch. Doesn't it make you want to come here?

XxM

The three gossips

The three gossips
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Day two back in Arches National Park. So amazing. This is called the 'three gossips'.....I felt sorry for the fourth rock left out, I suppose that's the idea.

We are doing a quick trip back to Delicate Arch because its a beautiful clear day out here. And then its onto Canyonland National Park. Now that we have our handy year long national parks card, we have a goal to hit them all in our travels.

A great night sleep was had in the Red Rock Inn and waking up to the cliffs around Moab was spectacular!

Xxm

Damn

Damn
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Mcdonalds is expensive in Utah.

Thankfully, the Moab brew pub is awesome!!!

Xxm

Arches national park

Arches national park
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Just one view. Seriously fucking amazing.

mill fork cemetery, Utah

mill fork cemetery, Utah
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

We are driving down highway 6 towards Moab, UT and did a U turn when we passed this little dinky cemetery. Turns out its the family plot for about 5 families, all no doubt related (this is Utah afterall) stretching back into the early 1800's. There are a lot of children buried here and even a plot for a group of travelers that were killed in an 'Indian Massacre' in the mid 1800's.

This was one of my fav parts....not sure if you can read the sign, but right above the seat is a sign that says 'caution - rattle snake area'. Made me think twice about sitting there....oh what a sense of humor those Mormons have.

Xxm

Goodbye Nevada

Goodbye Nevada
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Hello salt lake city......driving for 12 hours. Tired of car. Ass hurts. Need real food.

Pretty salt thingys everywhere though.....

Xxm

Saying goodbye to CA

Saying goodbye to CA
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

We stopped at the most beautiful vista point almost at the Nevada border. The silly thing is that neither of us looked to see where we actually were but on one side was snow capped mountains and on the other was lake Mendocino. It was so beautiful we had to just stop and take it in for a minute. Now we are driving across Nevada.....which is dry and dusty but has some awesome salt flats periodically. We have been driving for 8 hours and probably have another 6 to go today till we stop for the night. We are both SO excited to get to Moab and to Arches National Park that we can barely think about stopping.

More photos soon! Happy Monday to yous

Xxm

Ukiah, CA

Ukiah, CA
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Yesterday afternoons show in Ukiah. Twas a fun show with old friends, Katherine and Jody, hosting and after about 5 hours sleep....we are on the road to Moab, UT to see some pretty rocks.

14 hours to go till our first stop.....hope we don't need to pee. Or get gas. Or have gas for that matter....

Xxm

Pre show....

Pre show....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Our shit everywhere, us a little road weary from the drive up and the frantic set up. But we are ready to go!!

Xxm

Here we go, here we go....

Here we go, here we go....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Here we go!!

We started our trek an hour ago. Said sad see ya soon to D's dad and step mum, loaded the rest of the stuff into our packed van.

And reminded each other to breathe.

We have a lot of stuff in the van, half of which will be left in Indianapolis, our mid way home base but its a weeny bit overwhelming occasionally. I know we are both excited about this part of our lives but I also know that right this moment we are both going through a few sad minutes too. Not seeing good friends and family here for the next 6 months, but then seeing good friends and family throughout the rest of the country. Not having our own home but then...well, not having our own home and the expense and responsibility of that. And D stuck a photo of Tyler to the ceiling in the car, a moment to recognise the loss of her brother and the sadness around him not being here to witness this in flesh, but knowing and sensing his protection and spirit as well.

Its an interesting heart wide open, eyes wide open and expectation at its most pure, experience.

Ahh mates, at least you can say my life is never dull.

Another 278 miles till our first stop.....

Xxm

Here she be.....

Here she be.....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Our storage unit, for the last time until who knows when. We took the last little bits of things over today after we packed the van.

One load of washing to do.....and we are ready to go.

Xxm

Homage to the goddess asphaulta.....

Homage to the goddess asphaulta.....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

What you can't see past the massive margaritas is our van parked RIGHT OUT FRONT of where we sit on Santa Monica Blvd. I asked the goddess of all things parking for the spot right outside the restaurant as we were driving here.

And she provided. Love her.

We have had a huge week of prepping and decided to take the afternoon off to say hello to a few mates and drink a margarita in celebration.

Two more sleeps..

And damn, if I am not crazy in love with my beau.......

Xxm

Here's lookin at you kid...

This is one of Dionne's photos that she took on the weekend. I laugh every time I look at it. The reverence of Buddha mixed with the irreverence of swimming goggles. He/She is looking at me with a slight tone of 'oh yeah, right you did'. At least, that's what I see.

We are both sitting here in our pjs, it's 12.14pm and we have been sitting here for the past 3 hours almost. We work together as a good team. D is touching up her photos, I am uploading them for printing. I was looking through hotels in Moab, D called the one I found. It's a nice give and take that works really well for getting shit done. I am excited to be stopping in Moab on the way across the country. Excited to see the photos that Dionne will come out with. We are staying right near the Arches National Park and everything I have seen of it says that it is a magnificent part of the world.

So, back to planning and working stuff out and then perhaps, we will get out of our pjs.

xxM

Later...

Later...
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Pool party, with no swimming but lots of silly dancing.....

The hike from hell...

The hike from hell...
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

No joke, it was all up hill, legs burning like a mofo kinda hike.

But these are our great mates Adrienne and Justine. We are sad as all heck to say bye to them. We hiked and drank two bottles of champagne to celebrate and commemorate and I love them both greatly. A and I have known each other over 10 years and she is one of my greatest mates. And J is a new mate but an Aussie with a kind soul, a wicked sense of humor and a penchant for a glass anything alcoholic....so I instantly loved her.

Here's to mates and all that they bring.....

Xxm

From Maine with love...

This just in from my mates in Maine...where Dionne and I are playing at the end of the month. The two Lisa's wanted to assure us he'd be gone by the time we got there...ahha...

xm

in the land of....huh??

When I first came to the US as a young 'un on a mandatory leave the country backpacking adventure I thought that the National Enquirer was actually a reputable news source. Serious. It took me a few buys to work out that it was a big plop of poo. I remembered that as I stood in line at the supermarket today and it actually made me laugh for a second. The funnier thing is that I have met people in the country who still use it as a 'well, the enquirer said' kinda factual moment.

Thank god for Oprah that its a big ball of poo.

Xxm