Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: MudGuard
Date: 05 Jan 04 - 12:48 PM

cats, I will help as well but I want to get back my hand afterwards... ;-)

BUT: this means we have to do our duel Sunday after dinner or Monday morning - as only one of as will be alive afterwards... ;-)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Jan 04 - 01:03 PM

I'll join that food game, I'm on a drastic diet at the moment, but have promised myself that weekend off, as a reward.
John

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: MudGuard
Date: 05 Jan 04 - 01:05 PM

I am on a drastic diet too: I must not eat anything between two meals ;-)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 05 Jan 04 - 05:27 PM

Skipjack annexed? Not by me.And I thought one of them pints o guiness was mine!! We need to sort out a car, and car parking at Liverpool yet skip. Us three (Andy, Me and thee) have been annexed away from Letty and Kate at night time-much to their relief I'd guess!!

https://kiosk4.ts.com/k?liverpoolairport&parkingtry this link for parking at the airport.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: An Pluiméir Ceolmhar
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 04:36 AM

Beware, MudGuard, the last time I was in Norn Iron (admittedly five or six years ago), most of the cash machines even in central Belfast displayed a few dozen UK cash-card logos, but did not accept cards from other countries.

Moreover, even if you do persuade them to cough up, the poinds which they give you are issued by Norn Iron banks and would not be accepted anywhere else in the UK. So you will either have to overestimate your Sterling requirements before you travel in order to be sure you don't run dry, or else accept that any money which you succeed in withdrawing in NI will have to be spent on drink before you leave there. Tough choice, huh?

Ironies of history footnote: the banks which issue these strange notes include the banks based in the Republic, even though the latter cannot issue notes on their home territory (which is part of the Euro zone). My experience of trying to withdraw money as a Southern Irish Catholic with a Belgian bank card yielded enough material for a PhD thesis (well OK, at least a short song) on the echoes of history in daily life in Northern Ireland. E.g. the charming young shop assistant in Eason's bookshop (Eason's in Dublin was still in my lifetime a very "Protestant" shop) who didn't register my Dublin accent and kept asking about whether my card (from the capital of Europe) would work "on the mainland" (i.e. in Great Britain); or the fact that one of the banks which issue this strange money is the successor to the bank established by Daniel O'Connell ("Liberator" of the Catholic peasantry in the 19th Century); or the fact that this sweet girl, who doubtless is proud to be a British subject, checked all the tills in the shop and could only come up with about twenty pounds in notes which would be accepted on what she would regard as "the mainland".

But don't let my ramblings put anyone off, the half-dozen people whom I approached in shops and on the streets were all extremely helpful and made me feel really welcome in a city that I hadn't visited in the previous thirty years.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: MudGuard
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 04:50 AM

Thanks, APC, for that reminder - I have been to that part of the UK before - and also to Scotland (which has its own bank notes as well). I did not have any troubles using the "left-over" banknotes in other parts of the UK (Scottish notes in North Ireland, North Irish in Wales...). The only money NOT excepted in England was the Isle-Of-Man-Notes this year.

I had no problem using my bank card in Warrenpoint, Cushendall and Coleraine in Summer 1999 - and I think the situation should have become better, not worse in the meantime.

It would be much easier if the UK had the Euro though...

24 days...

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: MudGuard
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 05:07 AM

Ok, did not reach the hostel by phone so tried it by email.
Erik, you must have done something wrong - I got an answer - I got the extra night booked.

Linda also wrote this:

>I have explained to some, but I am hoping to start repairs to Barholm, and
>the first to get fixed will be the conservatory, or I should say knocked
>down. Have to fix the gable end, so I am removing the conservatory and
>rebuilding it, but sadly it will not be done before you get here. I just
>hope it does not cause too much inconvenience.

Sounds like the conservatory will be knocked down and not yet rebuilt by the time we are there.

24 days...

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 05:16 AM

I was having a banknote argument only yesterday. I knew I'd heard somewhere that bank of England banknotes were only legal tender in England and Wales, and other forms of paper money were representative of money (rather than actually *being* money). In fact, I probably heard this on Mudcat....
Bank of England website says:
The concept of legal tender is often misunderstood. Contrary to popular opinion, legal tender is not a means of payment that must be accepted by the parties to a transaction, but rather a legally defined means of payment that should not be refused by a creditor in satisfaction of a debt.

The current series of Bank of England notes are legal tender in England and Wales, although not in Scotland or Northern Ireland, where the only currency carrying legal tender status for unlimited amounts is the one pound and two pound coins.

So we're all just using make-believe mickey mouse money after all.
I agree about the Euro though.Oh, but a lot of places in Norn Iron take Euros now, certainly in Belfast.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: An Pluiméir Ceolmhar
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 06:29 AM

This brings back memories of the declaration on the pound note that used to say "I promise to pay the bearer one pound", or words to that effect. Is that tautology or wha'?

As a postscript, on the way back I tried to use a pound coin picked up in NI which had a thistle motif on it (presumably issued for use in Scotland) in the environs of London, and it was refused, even though it had the Queen's head on the other side and coinage is at least notionally issued by the sovereign state rather than by a bank.

All the more reason to spend it all on drink before it goes out of fashion.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 06:41 AM

I didn't have a problem when we retuned from Portaferry with coins last year....a tip though...if the coins are refused by the shops just use them in vending machines or ticket office machines...thats what we used to do when we came back from Guernsey!!!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 08:42 AM

Well...

I hope you all have fun... Just think of me, stuck in diy hell with no end in sight. All fun and festivities are called off. Got no kitchen, no kitchen tap (just the outside tap), no washing machine, and no cooker. it's amazing what can be cooked in a microwave. Though going outside to get the water for the morning cuppa is breathtaking...

Coooo have fun! Ella full of dust, old rendering dust and owner of sneezing cat.... Still at least the cat still gets fed.

;-(

Won't be long now!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Letty
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 10:16 AM

What a strange money system. Perhaps I should bring stuff to trade ( I still have lots of wine, did you know you can import 90 litres for your own consumption per trip within the EU? I wonder which AA member thought that up)
I'll probably be okay, 'though, with an Irish (Republic), Dutch and German bankcard.
If only I had more money on them :-)

Letty

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: MudGuard
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 10:19 AM

Letty, don't bring the wine for trading - I think shiny colored glass pearls might be better ;-)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Micca
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 12:04 PM

Letty, DO Bring the wine for Trading, I would be happy to exchange standard British Beer Tokens for some ( especially if it is dry and red)
I have been in touch with the Fair Linda at Barholm and have a list of the room allocations, I am reluctant to publish it but if you want to know your room number please Pm me

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: GUEST,Skipjack K8
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 12:05 PM

That nice Dan Dooley has sorted me out a wizard little car, which the Viking can jolly well drive, for a bargain £48, Friday through Sunday. That'll be good.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 03:41 PM

You se how kind he is to me-I can drive him and others about-"OH THANKYOU MIGHTY ONE FOR THAT SMALL PLEASURE".

"Would you allow me the privalage of carrying your baggage?"

Oh what it is to be management.

Just one small request sir. Please may I stop at that sheep field on the way over?

Thankyou

Yours sincerely (sheepishly)

Peasant.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 07 Jan 04 - 06:17 AM

~REFRESH~

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 07 Jan 04 - 09:51 AM

One other thing - we had a raffle with the proceedings going to Mudcat last year. If you want this to happen again, then can everyone bring something suitable so that Cllr can win it all (whether he's there or not. He cleaned up last year, the jammy sod).

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: My guru always said
Date: 07 Jan 04 - 10:31 AM

What an excellent opportunity to rid ourselves of those strange Christmas gifts. Or perhaps end up winning them again.....
Thanks Fib,
Hil x

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 01:06 AM

I am just in from practice with The Conklin Ceili Band. Would you folks have room for 5 to 6 more folks? If we can get the flights, the lads, lass and I will try and make it in on Friday and take off on Monday. Keep your fingers crossed. I will be checking with Aer Lingus and Lufthansa tomorrow. Are there rooms available in the hostel?

It would be great fun to meet you all.

Mick

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: MudGuard
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 03:58 AM

Linda of Barholm Hostel will know whether there are beds.
Get contact details here: Barholm Hostel

I think in the room Erik, Skipjack and myself are sharing there should be one bed free. I can't speak for Erik and Skipjack but I do not mind if that were taken by one of your party, Mick.

22 days only...

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Micca
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 04:39 AM

Mick, the latest info I had(day before yesterday)is that there is still a room available that should be big enough for you guys contact Linda at Barholm, (details in first post in this thread)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 05:25 AM

Most other details are on the web site.

Lookng forward to it. Ella, I'm so sorry you won't be able to make it. That would've been good.

Mick - fingers are crossed!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: alanww
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 06:13 AM

Yes, Fib - Cllr - I haven't heard from him for quite a while. Anyone else in contact? Is he well? Is he not going to Portaferry? And what about the Middle Bar Reunion and Whittlesey, this weekend, as well?
" ... just as the sun was rising ...!"
Alan

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: My guru always said
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 11:58 AM

Alan - Cllr is well but it doesn't look like he'll be joining us this time. Middle Bar reunion is a must.

Big Mick & The Band - I am CERTAIN that Linda of Barholm will be able to fit you guys & gal in! Chatting to her last year she told us the total number of beds and then proceeded to tell us that there are loads of 'put-you-up' beds available aswell. Please contact Linda of Barholm - by phone in the mornings Irish time is best - we're all keeping our fingers crossed that you can get the flights etc this year!!!!

Hil

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 12:14 PM

Big Mick I have everything crossed for you and the guys+gals to make it this year.....looking forward to meeting you!!!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 01:34 PM

Mick,you and your mates can come(It would be really great) ,but be warned,us English don't take prisoners in the sheep department-so who ever sleeps with us had better be brave!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 03:00 PM

Andy-that was bloody quick! Chatting up on o them yanks before they even got here-he don't hang about does he? Hope he gets the ugly one for that! (Don't know if any of them is ugly) But because he's got an americin he can't have a sheep-so there.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: JudeL
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 03:28 PM

Yes we are coming. John Henry, Raven & myself are booked on a ferry leaving Holyhead @ 3pm arriving @ Dublin 6.15 pm on Thursday. We leave Monday catching the 9pm ferry back. See you all there

Cheers Jude

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: MudGuard
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 03:54 PM

I should have told noone here at home that I am going to Ireland...

Letty or any one else who is coming through the Republic of Ireland:
I have requests to bring 3 complete set of Irish Euro coins.
If you could bring them to Portaferry, I will buy them off you...

Erik: what should I do with a sheep? Sheep are good for tiny people like you, I need something taller. Btw., are there any elephants living in Co. Down?

22 days...

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 04:28 PM

No elephants Andy, but I believe there's an ostrich farm on the peninsula. Or maybe it was llamas...

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 05:18 PM

You lads have obviously never heard about Bossie, the stump trained cow. Some customs get a bit twisted when they cross the pond......LOL

I will keep you all posted.

Mick

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 05:45 PM

Right, Andy-tiny people-I'll show you!!! I'll bring a big box!!

Stump trained cow, eh! That sounds ok to me, Greg-You try it first-you are management.

Richard n Pat-see what you are missing out on!! (In your new combats, you could get nearer to the Ostriches or Llamas!!)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: My guru always said
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 06:39 PM

I have to say that there is no way that I'm going to Coleraine this year......

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 09 Jan 04 - 08:01 AM

Why not mgas?

What's wrong with Coleraine?

E

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: MudGuard
Date: 09 Jan 04 - 09:02 AM

Because there are better Irish Whiskeys than Coleraine!? ;-)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: My guru always said
Date: 09 Jan 04 - 10:56 AM

Ah Ella, I managed to do a 'side-trip' to Coleraine accidently during the last gathering. My own fault for offering to take someone to 'above Belfast' but instead of a 2 hour car journey, it took 6 hours. I missed lots of fun with the Catters but managed to get 30 minutes at the Giants Causeway though which made me feel a bit better about the whole deal. Silly wasn't I?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: JudeL
Date: 09 Jan 04 - 11:32 AM

I have told Raven he owes you lots of creeping crawling and liquid refreshment merely for you to consider saying hello to him.

It has not had any noticible effect.... but then what does .... at that age boys seem to have very little awareness of the impact on others of what they want to do, or indeed how fair or reasonable it is for them to ask!

Remember MGAS just smile & keep refusing to take him anywhere!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Jan 04 - 09:33 AM

creeping crawling and liquid refreshment merely for you to consider saying hello to him

This sounds like a wonderful strategy & I will take your advice on board re. smiling & refusing....

Actually, I may not even be able to get a hire car due to terms & conditions, so I may be using taxi's anyway!!!

Not long now.....

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Jan 04 - 10:15 AM

Like I said, arriving at Belfast CITY Airport about 13-30 on the Friday, have only hired a small car, but I'm on my own, so if anybody is around that needs a lift, try 07739 464742.
John

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: MudGuard
Date: 11 Jan 04 - 02:04 PM

19 days...

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 03:18 AM

I phoned Easyjet yesterday to make sure their policy from last year regarding taking instruments into the cabin is still in place, and it its! All instruments are allowed to be taken into the cabin as well as your hand luggage as long as it fits into the over head lockers!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: MudGuard
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 03:24 AM

Thanks for the info, catsPHiddle. On the way back I might use my tin whistle to force the pilot to make a direct flight to Munich... ;-)

18 days...

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 04:04 AM

Ahhh.. I see MGAS... Though you did get to see some of the lovely Antrim coastline and surrounding countryside. So not a lost cause. I love it up by the Causeway, its lovely!

Anyways, you don't get lost.... you find new places!

Ella

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: My guru always said
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 12:06 PM

Looks like the car hire is still OK for me having had a bit of a chat with Avis. So still got a couple of spare seats & some boot space around 4pm Friday at Belfast International, returning about 4pm on the Monday.

Hope everyone's as keen on pancakes as I am.......

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: My guru always said
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 12:09 PM

And you're so right Ella, exploring is a real pleasure - so is meeting new friends & hearing new songs. These things make the world go around for me....

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Big Mick
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 12:54 PM

My friends,

Circumstances, once again, cause me to have to cancel. I will make this gathering one day, I swear. But I fear this is not the year. I am sorry, as I was very excited.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: MudGuard
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 01:00 PM

What a pity, Big Mick...

BUT: if you are not coming, I'll most likely win the furthest travel award...

18 days...

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: My guru always said
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 07:23 PM

And we were excited too Big Mick, so sorry you can't make it this year.... Maybe next time!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Meet Ireland 2004: Loughstock II
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 10:32 PM

Are there going to be ANY transponders over this year then ??? If not, its got to be their loss as we seem to have a great time with just fairly local people. And this year I am bringing MY minidisc, so prepare to have songs and tunes stolen!!!