I was sitting in one of the booths and had an excellent view. The tent is incredible. It has a huge and magnificent chandelier, which throws light through mirrors and stained coloured glass windows. It is beautiful.
Back to the speakers. I'd spoken to Alex a few weeks ago about her festival appearance. She said she was terrified. It was the first time she had spoken in public.
Knowing this I was nervous for her.
However, although you could tell she was a little on edge once or twice, she handled herself with poise. She started with a reading from her new book which is due to be released in April next year.
Then Allyson asked her some questions and Alex returned the favour.
Allyson was really entertaining as she talked about her year spent in Hautes-Pyrenees to fulfil her husband's dream of living in France so their children could speak a second language.
Very brave of her.
She was funny and engaging.
They spoke about cooking, their families, tough times and fun times. The audience loved it.
Before I knew it, it was time for questions. Allyson was asked what her favourite food was and she said butter - "real butter". That got a great laugh. She said she tried to always buy it on special because the price was outrageous. Alex agreed that you couldn't beat real butter. They made a great team,
Throughout the past two weeks, I've heard many stories from people attending shows. Not one of them has said anything negative.
Hawke's Bay has embraced this festival.
They have shown their support and hunger to be entertained by music, cabaret, circus, comedy, dance and literacy by filling the Spiegeltent night after night.
Festival director Pitch Leiser should be proud of himself, as should all those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this event to Hawke's Bay and to ensure it ran so smoothly.
I also heard that cafes and restaurants in Havelock North have done a roaring trade over the past two weeks.
That is great news.
But the best news is that the festival is coming back next October.
Good on you Hawke's Bay for getting bums on seats to ensure the festival was such a success.
It's thanks to your support that we will get more talented people coming here next year to entertain us.
I can see this festival going from strength to strength in years to come.
So, thank you to the team at Creative Hastings who had a vision - you have done us all proud.
-Linda Hall is assistant editor at Hawke's Bay Today.
