*** GREETINGS from NEW ZEALAND***

I am back in Auckland N.Z. and at last back on the list, I am Steve Humphreys (and no, Beryl is not
my middle name)

I just want to say The ABBA Generation convention was an amazing experience... and for me it meant a 3 1/2 hour flight to Sydney, and was all 100% worth it. I certainly learned right away that ABBAMAIL does nothing by halves and the spread and quality of everything was the best, a bit like everything in the 70s that the super Swedes did themselves.

That Generation.

I know there's has been heaps said already but the stand out parts of the weekend for me was seeing the amazing shows and TV specials. I hadn't seen anything on A*Teens (which is scary, because I Live in New Zealand and the CD is out here). I found their videos and their concert in Poland to be excellent. I'm not too sure about some of the song versions they do, but they have recreated a part of the spirit of fun that has not been expressed \ since 1974. That's what I liked about them and you really have to see the visual A*Teens to experience that.

Then we saw the Best of Björn in UK from this year and all the reviews on Mamma Mia! on screen & an on the spot review from our ABBAMAIL team in London. And who can forget those questions on wife swapping? (UK TV's TFI Friday ) and the rest about Björn, you made us proud.

Shelley The Stories

Yes, this had to be one of the highlights of the conference, one of the best and most informative interviews on ABBA. And Shelly "the Winner Takes It all" TV special needed you! .I love the way she told us all the ways ABBA coped with the amazing stressful time during the tour, and with such professionalism . And then we saw Shelley's fab personal scrapbook of those ABBA - The Movie days. And you know Shelly doubles as another ABBA fan. But hey, being part of 1977 events, would any normal person, not being tone deaf, not be a fan also?

I also found the press conference footage we saw before Shelly ' amazing' and this set the scene to feel like you were there at the press conference. You almost felt like you could hit those dizzy stupid interviewers of the day.

Sam's ABBA Nightclub

Then came the evening's event after an interesting A*Teens show on the big screen. I had to duck out for an hour (sob), and missed some of this. All I can say is Drinks, ABBA tracks (wonderfully chosen) & ABBA fans & more drinks make a terrific combination (and the odd Blue Mascara Cocktail ). Some of the guys/girls missing on the night, missed out major. It was also a relaxed way to mix & met fellow fans, and enjoy. The Agnetha Armada ransom notes? -  hey, I would not have been a DJ that night, it was just too risky!! And who can forget the best Barman in town, Sam (if anyone did get digits do share?? Cos, he was a bit of a ABBA fan just waiting to happen, honest he was... )

Coffee, Hang-overs & amazing Video Clips.

Sunday morning, I would have not missed it for the world. Because I was blown away by the Frida clips (of course) that we saw over coffee. Seeing her in "Walk on Water" was wonderful. Our Frida is an actress, too.
And to see, for the first time, Frida's 1967 first TV appearance, as she sung her heart out. And, although nervous, she was certainly a major superstar just waiting to happen (and yes she did have to wait!  But she got there in the end). I almost came to tears during that clip and the following one, very emotional is our Frida. 

But more fun was to come, on the big video screen or scream...because we saw  "Arrival" - 3 guys + 1 girl can do ABBA also. Amazing. We were sure the blond one had hidden extras. And then ABBABallet that had everyone laughing til we wanted to cry. Yes, I must say the worst thing even done with ABBA music, but also funnier than the UK sitcom "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" (and for laughs that takes some beating, by-the-way).  Ohhhh.. but I mustn't forget some terrific Agnetha clips ( "Anna does Dallas", parts 1-3 ) and Gemini stuff no-one had seen. Brilliant Graeme, thanks again. 

All in all we had a great laugh at this point and I remember thinking this is the whole point of a convention like this F-UU-NNN. (and it was)

Did I tell you what a wonderful venue this event was held at? The Hotel Furama Central - on the 11th floor surrounded by a nice outdoor balcony. The grub was excellent also, the most yummy... was on Sunday lovely sandwiches (only they used the Mirror from the 4 th floor because they could not find a large enough plate!) Mind you, we were all big ABBAMAIL eaters and the lovely food just kept on coming, very nice.

The room was set up with some amazing displays like the "Agnetha Shrine" (need I say more?). I also liked the Swedish press reports of all kinda of recent events - Görel's 50th with the history making pics of Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Frida together again at last. Also more Swedish press reports with real historical 60s pix of ABBA but in very recent articles. Amazing, and a great way for everyone to see this material - laid out on tables  (under gladwrap ...wonderful very useful ).

ABBA QUIZ?

We reached the part in the Sunday agenda, where we needed to move around the tables, and of course being an ABBA convention this created a small problem? Where are the real men? Were there any?

So the tables got moved and the Trivia Quiz began, and the best quiz master Graeme began the proceedings. And I found myself becoming a 'Beryl'? Not knowing what a 'Beryl' meant even. My team was called T'he Beryls' However when I found Beryl's pic on the ABBAMAIL site, it all became clear..hmmm.. ) But hey "The Beryls" won! Followed very closely followed by that excellent Andy Ball team (who to me is just another Beryl?) It was something like 6th April 1974.... and as I went up to get my certificate, I could hear the opening bars of "Waterloo" in my head. And yes Damien was right - that B-side question was the tough one and thanks to my fellow team mates who are experts in an expert field. (next year we should have a lyrics round in the quiz)

79 TOUR & ONE MORE TIME VIDEOS

Next we saw great stuff from Benny's son Peter and his group 'One More Time'. And a terrific Nanne (Peter's wife) video called 'Vem Som Helst' - almost as good as Roxette doing "Stars" (sorry Nanne ) This was when I sadly ran out of time. John from Canberra was my saviour and took me straight to the airport with 1 hour left to get my flight back (thank you John) to Auckland.

But of course I did not want to go. Particularly without saying goodbye to all the wonder ABBA people I'd met, and the others whom I had not yet had the chance to meet. Next time certainly, or please e-mail me. Especially the blond guy who I brought my ABBA Live 79 video from, because I was meaning to say more than "hello/goodbye" and the video is brilliant.

I had to meant to see the UK TV special ABBAMania but I hope we get it on Kiwi TV soon. Fingers crossed. Hey we still got A*Teens first! Hee-hee.

And now I am feeling blue back in Auckland and its all over, Graeme and all his many helpers - you did an amazing thing and I was more than a happy ABBA fan. You made my 1999. Hey I am sure Mamma Mia! was nothing compared to your event (oh sorry, was that a bad comparison? or just bad spelling )

And next time, next year whenever I will turn up for any convention you guys put on. 

And that's my short & sweet review.

SO LONG & HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE AGAIN SOON

Stephen - Auckland,  New Zealand