I'm home now, jet-lagged and festival-lagged, with a suitcase full of new CDs and Frank Meadow Sutcliffe books and prints. What a great weekend in Whitby. I was in danger of losing my return ticket. Cookfest began the week before in Middlesbrough, then on to Marske and Staithes before Whitby. I was singing all that week with Richard Grainger and his group, The Stormy Weather Boys. Richard and Ian McNichol organized the fest so that it reached out into the communities. We sang in the church at Marske, in Cleveland hospital for patients and on the hospital's radio station, in a recreation hall, aboard the Endeavor at the Stockton quay, and at the Sunday night folk club at Dr. Brown's. Whitby was the perfect culmination of the fest. What a magical place. It was great finally meeting several 'Catters and connecting the people to they're names. A great bunch to meet up with, and I was only sorry there wasn't more time on my trip to talk with you more. Got to hear Noreen's rendition of Lowlands Away, which was soulful and moving. It was a pleasure getting adopted (or abducted) by the Shellbacks at Whitby, singing with them in the lifeboat and in the Pier Inn. Great meeting Ickle Dorritt and Michael in Swansea as well. So, Ickle, I didn't drink half as much as I should? Are you kidding? I drank enough water to fill an aquarium! :-)

-chanteyranger