Flights cancelled as fog closes in
There was nothing wrong with Jimmy Barnes laying down his guns for fans in Palmerston North on Thursday.
The Working Class Man singersongwriter was in Manawatu singing the night away as the headline act at the Gold Cup Festival racing and entertainment showcase.
Fans packed into the Central Energy Trust Stadium to get a glimpse of the legendary Australian rocker and Cold Chisel frontman.
Palmerston North Cold Chisel fan Mark Lyons was celebrating his 64th birthday at the concert on Thursday.
His daughter Justine Lyons had surprised him with brunch and a concert ticket for his birthday.
She said Barnes’ vocal range was ‘‘out of this world’’ and it was a good way to celebrate her father’s birthday.
Mark Lyons said he had been a fan of country-rock music since the 80s and believed Barnes’ voice was one of the best rock voices in the world.
Wairarapa fan Sue Dren said she was a fan of the genre and was looking forward to a night out with her friends.
‘‘It’s really nice to be able to come to an affordable concert. I think it’s a good time out for all of us.’’
Richard and Sandra Lennox had driven down from Whanganui with their 6-year-old, Liam.
Richard Lennox said he had been a ‘‘big fan’’ of Jimmy Barnes for about 30 years.
He recently read his book and saw Barnes perform in Wellington in January for his tour.
‘‘I think he’s an old-fashioned sort. It’s not like the rubbish we listen to today.’’
Liam said he knew all the words to Working Class Man and was looking forward to Barnes singing that song last night. Three flights out of Palmerston North Airport were cancelled on Thursday morning as fog continued to disrupt air travel.
Flights expected in from Nelson, Christchurch and Auckland were delayed.
A flight to Auckland scheduled to leave at 6.25am was delayed until 1pm.
Ryan Willoughby was scheduled to fly from Palmerston North to Auckland about 8.20am, but his Air New Zealand flight was cancelled.
The airline offered a bus service, but Willoughby was not keen on the day-long journey.
It was a seven-hour drive by car, so it would definitely take longer by bus, he said.
For a lot of people the bus, which left about 10.45am, was the only option, Willoughby said.
‘‘I’m trying to organise a car to drive up.’’
The fog was not bad at ground level, but it looked pretty dense higher up, he said.
The cancellation meant Willoughby would have to find another way to Auckland before 5am Friday, when he starts work.
Metservice meteorologist Peter Little said the bad weather that had been through Wellington had arrived in Palmerston North, creating the low cloud issue.
Little said when there was weather like this they would often expect variation during the day, with an improvement while the sun is out and then cloud returning once the heat drops.
Palmerston North police Inspector Dave White urged drivers to be careful when there was fog around.
‘‘Travel with care and allow and understand it will take a considerable amount of time to get there, so beware of fatigue,’’ he said.