Kootingal - Westpac Helicopter Fundraiser

[coffeelust]

If youre around Kootingal tomorrow morning and its not bucketing with rain like it is today come to our village-wide fundraiser. And make sure you visit the Anglican Church for an espresso. 8-)

[Coffee2Di4]

Re: Kootingal - Westpac Helicopter Fundraiser

Rats - If I was a little closer and didnt have dance concert rehearsal for 3 hours tomorrow, Id be there, Luwaks! Im always ready to support the Westpac Helicopter!

Have a great day and lots of fun with it.

Cheers
Di

[coffeelust]

Re: Kootingal - Westpac Helicopter Fundraiser

I think the helicopter comes from Newcastle, Di, maybe you could hitch a ride!

Anyway - event is postponed til the 28th. Now what am I to do with all these beans that I roasted for today? Wait, Ive got an idea...

[scoota_gal]

Re: Kootingal - Westpac Helicopter Fundraiser

Luwaks...Tamworth has its own helicopter...currently I believe it is a Kawasaki BK117.

Newcastle only sends up choppers when Tamworths is down for maintenance or as in the case of about 18 months ago...crashed! ;D

(and no, crashing an aircraft is no laughing matter...I know this better than anyone on this site...)

[coffeelust]

Re: Kootingal - Westpac Helicopter Fundraiser

Well this Saturday is it! So if you want to escape your meaningless 9-5 urban existence (and drive the 400+Km to get here from Syd/bris) come on up/down! Remember, the Anglican church is where the espresso is. Or you can visit the old ladies across the road for some lovely intl roast...

[scoota_gal]

Re: Kootingal - Westpac Helicopter Fundraiser

You might very well see me, Luwaks! Ill be heading up to Armidale to pickup my son from his week of work experience.

Look out for a big American pickup truck, Ill be in that!

[coffeelust]

Re: Kootingal - Westpac Helicopter Fundraiser

Yikes! Scoota in Kootingal! Might get YOU to make ME a coffee.
(insert comment about sandals and unworthiness here.)

[scoota_gal]

Re: Kootingal - Westpac Helicopter Fundraiser

Saturday is my day off! ;D :P

[coffeelust]

Re: Kootingal - Westpac Helicopter Fundraiser

Oh all right, you can just be a customer!

Were thinking of doing a roasting demo, too. The benefit of having an obscure hobby is that people think you know what you are doing just because you say so!

[scoota_gal]

Re: Kootingal - Westpac Helicopter Fundraiser

Thats dead right...everyone will be most impressed for sure! ;D

What was that old saying about blinding people with science??

[coffeelust]

Re: Kootingal - Westpac Helicopter Fundraiser

Well the helicopter day has come and gone for another year.  This was kind of our anniversary of snobbery as last years event was the first time I (Mr Luwak) at least had used a commercial machine. We loved it so much we ended up buying our own commercial. Here is how today happened...

1 week before: lots of roasting in the Bruce to get enough beans for the occasion.
1 hour before: hastily getting machine, gazebos etc ready for the impending crowds.
10 minutes before: doing the stuff that real baristi do like zeroing in the grinder, checking the blend, wondering where the hell our toddlers are and why is that gate open?
Kickoff - 9am: ready for our first customers!
9:07: we make the first coffees of the day - for ourselves.
9:15: first paying customers of the day - I screw up my first order; givng the strong to the lady and the weak to the man.  They didnt complain and I cant remember if I charged them - I guess that makes us about even.
9:28: a bit quiet - economic downturn?
9:37: large ball of tumbleweed rolls down main drag of Kootingal. (Then again I could just be hallucinating after drinking the spare shots from couples that ordered one coffee.)
9:49: a couple of parishioners buy coffees.
10:13: the cacaphonic banshee wailing from of a Country & Western singer on the PA ensures that any visitors cruising through looking for a good time will break the speed limit getting out of Kootingal.
10:42: banshee stops.  Crickets are heard to be chirping
10:57: Where the hell are our kids?
11:02: Did I mention that its hot?
11:20: amusing conversation with a pair of veteran bikers. Elucidate them on the benefits of using fresh beans.  He gives me a great tip for slowing the rpm of the Bruce (our drum roaster).  
11:28: is that woman in the ute Scoota? (no, says Mrs Luwak)
11:30: Roasting demo! Coffeesnobs logo there for all to see and sweep the field in the 10000 comp! Assembled throng blown away by sensational CS9 on a half kilo of Aceh beans.  Unfortunately, assembled throng consists of 5yo son asking if the roast means he will be late for his friends party, a willy wagtail, and a few ants.  
12:00: Duststorm arrives. Luwaks depart.

Two words: TOTAL FIZZER!

[blanyon]

Re: Kootingal - Westpac Helicopter Fundraiser

So disappointing have done similar things and there are few things more crushing to the soul than what you went through (even worse for the organisers and the helicopter)

[scoota_gal]

Re: Kootingal - Westpac Helicopter Fundraiser

1.30 pm...Large pickup cruises through said dusty storm (actually, it was smoke) and on spotting said Anglican church, pulls over to notice some signs blowing in the wind...everything is locked up and not a soul to be seen...

Ah well...the shopping was good in Tamworth today at least!  ;D

Sorry we missed you Luwaks...maybe Ill drag you guys over our way to compete in a home barista comp at Nosh on the Namoi next March.  

[coffeelust]

Re: Kootingal - Westpac Helicopter Fundraiser

1.30 pm...Large pickup cruises through said dusty storm (actually, it was smoke) and on spotting said Anglican church, pulls over to notice some signs blowing in the wind...everything is locked up and not a soul to be seen...

Ah well...the shopping was good in Tamworth today at least!  ;D

Sorry we missed you Luwaks...maybe Ill drag you guys over our way to compete in a home barista comp at Nosh on the Namoi next March.  

Hi Scoota - sounds good! do you have dates for this yet?