The early hours at ANZAC cove.

The entertainment on the big screens was marvellous.  Much of it was by NZ and Oz indigenous people's. There was also music from the military musicians, mainly NZ Navy and Army bands, together they make up the NZ defence band. May have been one or two airforce there, too far away to tell. There was readings from diaries and letters, interviews of old Gallipoli veterans,  made by (then) TVNZ probably 30 years ago. There was an excerpt from the film 'The Telegram' about how people were told their family had been killed in action. Very Sombre. Altogether an amazing experience. As we got to 0330 hrs some of the redcoats (volunteers) started screeching at the people on the ground to wake up, and stand up. Sitting was no longer allowed as they had to cram another 2500 people into an area all ready full.  They all had to stand, and squeeze up. By now it was starting to get really cold,  the temp was dropping,  it was around 5 degrees. Because I was sitting, and I had forgotten my overtrousers,  I was getting cold. The ship has given us all blankets and I had layers on, a coat with hood, and a beanie that was part of the Gallipoli pack. But being stationary so long I had started to sieze up. I had to take a short walk at 0400 hrs,  a most unpleasant experience. Anyway on my return up steep rickety stairs,  it was so cold I was having trouble moving. The volunteers brought around blankets,  which were gratefully received. The people on the grass were all squashed in by now, standing room only. No one on the grass area could sit, there wasn't the room, many could only stand, and had to stand for upwards of 8 hours. The night time was a special time there, no one minded because 0530  hrs seemed to come around quite quickly. Some of the through the night scenes, doesn't really do it justice, but the crowd was massive.

and then suddenly it was 0530 hrs and it was all on.