Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008

Subject: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US
From: Crane Driver
Date: 16 Dec 07 - 06:56 PM

Andrew "Crane Driver" McKay and "Sussex" Carole Etherton are on their travels again. We're in Sydney, Australia from 10th to 19th January, primarily for family reasons but hoping to meet up with some OzCatters for music and chat at some point. Then we're in the Washington (DC) area of USA until 28th. We're doing an informal 'House Concert' for FSGW at Rita Ferrara's on Monday 21st, then off to the Folk Club in Richmond, VA for Saturday 26th, with possibly other things along the way. Should be a great time. We're looking forward to meeting old friends and new on our travels.

Andrew & Carole

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US
From: Emma B
Date: 16 Dec 07 - 06:58 PM

Bon Voyage

We'll miss you in mudchat!

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Dec 07 - 06:58 PM

Oh WOW! Will you make it Maine this trip or do we have to head south?
SINS

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US
From: Crane Driver
Date: 16 Dec 07 - 07:14 PM

Sadly we won't be able to include Maine this time - we'd need extra time off for that, and the day jobs won't allow. We are seriously planning to be back in October for the Getaway, and a trip up to Maine again either before or after would be wonderful - we so much enjoyed ourselves last time.

A & C

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US
From: Leadfingers
Date: 16 Dec 07 - 08:40 PM

well I hope you have a good trip - Shame I will be stuck in UK while you're entertaining friends of Mine in USA !

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US
From: Maryrrf
Date: 16 Dec 07 - 08:55 PM

Yep they'll be doing a concert in Richmond - Here's the link! http://www.richmondfolkmusic.com/page11.htm

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Dec 07 - 09:24 PM

Andrew and Carole-

I do hope you connect with our friends in the Roarin' Forties in Sydney, and I hope you get a chance to sing aboard the James Craig in Darling Harbour.

I'll send you some e-mail addresses via regular e-mail.

And we'll alert them as well, if you like.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 16 Dec 07 - 09:28 PM

Safe journey and all the best to you both.


Love Yas

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 16 Dec 07 - 09:39 PM

G'day Andrew & Carole,

I'm afraid the Sydney scene may be a bit quiet ... mid-summer and school holidays tend to bring incovenient realism to bear of the folkies! As well, many Sydneysiders will at the Illawarra Folk Festival, down south at Bulli - full festival from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 January - although those still slaving will probably only make it from Friday evening to Sunday.

Bob Bolton (performing with my Monday Night Workshop Mob)

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US
From: JennieG
Date: 16 Dec 07 - 09:45 PM

Himself and I will be back by then, we are going away for a short break but returning on 6th Jan, and as Bob said above we will be attending the Illawarra festival later in the month. I'll send you a PM.

Cheers
JennieG....on holidays until late January....and loving it!

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US
From: JennyO
Date: 16 Dec 07 - 10:40 PM

Jennie G and Bob and others in Sydney, if we have a BBQ and session on either the 12th or the 13th, will you be able to come? Those are the only dates that will work I think.

Andrew and Carole, I have sent you a PM.

Looking forward to meeting again!

Jenny

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US
From: Barry Finn
Date: 16 Dec 07 - 11:40 PM

Have a bash you 2, shame that DC gets you instead of us to the North but they'll be treating you to much milder weather I'm sure. We'll have to wait till Oct. Happy Trails

Barry

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 01:59 AM

G'day JennyO,

I reckon we can fit in with a second weekend event ... I'll just have to make sure I don't need to beat the Monday Night Session Mob into shape for Bulli ... by then ...

It would be nice to try to snag Ralph Pride along to the event - as long as he isn't off at a gig - with his Triumph Duet (aka 'Crane Duet' ... and poor old Butterworth, whose name is on the patent, gets completely forgotten by everyone!)

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 02:28 AM

JennyO, I thought the 40s were appearing at Cygnet over that weekend?

According to a PM I received in Nov Andrew & Carole will head to Bateman's Bay Sat 12th for parent's 60th Wedding anniversary & get back to Sydney Tues 15th.

sandra

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: JennyO
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 03:57 AM

Yes, Sandra, You're right about the Forties. But apart from the Bulli weekend, the one before is the only other one they are going to be here. I've looked at my past PMs and they mentioned what you said to me back in September in a PM. If that is still the case, that doesn't leave us with any choice at all apart from midweek, and I don't think that is going to suit many people. So it's either Bulli weekend or midweek. Neither seems very satisfactory to me. Maybe Friday the 11th?

Andrew and Carole, we need some more input from you.

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Cats at Work
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 05:08 AM

Have a safe journey and enjoy yourselves.:-)) Just think, 6 more years and then we can zoom off to places like that. At the moment day job prevents....:-((

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: GUEST,old girl
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 06:32 PM

have a great time you lucky people.   Rose

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 08:55 PM

Well, it looks as if the Sydney crew is sorting it all out.

Is there anything happening aboard the James Craig while Andrew and Carole are available?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Nancy King
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 09:09 PM

Yay! See you at Rita and Bill's!

Nancy

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 09:17 PM

nuffin' the Craig will be travelling to Melbourne, leaving Sydney 12th January & even tho I'm not a sailor & know nuffin' about preparing Tall Ships for sailing, I can't see it being available for a session in the days before they leave.

And as Andrew & Carole leave Sydney Sat 19th, they don't have many days in Sydney when we are all present.

I'll be leaving for Bulli on Thursday, and I assume JennieG & Himself will as they did last year, & Bob appears to be going the same day. I believe JennyO is not going.

Looks like a session at someone's place on Thurs 10 or maybe Fri 11th, depending on when they plan to set out for Bateman's Bay - according to a map, Bateman's Bay is about 4 hours south of Sydney.

sandra

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 09:21 PM

oh, I forgot the bit about them being in Sydney earlier in the week most of us head to Bulli, so that might give us Tues 15th & or Wed 16th nights, too

sandra

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 09:21 PM

Sandra-

Well, I was also kind of wondering where Bateman's Bay was, and didn't quite dare ask.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 09:54 PM

What fun -- Oz is somewhere I would really like to visit.....have fun....

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: JennieG
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 11:35 PM

Charley, Bateman's Bay is a very nice place. It is on the Clyde River where the river empties into the Pacific Ocean (or whatever it's called that far south) and is surrounded by lovely south coast bushland, spotted gum trees and cycads. Himself and I have caravanned there a couple of times.

Perhaps on your next visit to Oz....?

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Severn
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 03:11 AM

See you at Rita and Bill's as well. Woulda made the drive to Richmond if I had to. Will get you out to one of three Shanty Sings if possisble.

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 11:04 AM

Hi again all - thanks for your good wishes and suggestions.

We get into Sydney about 9 am on Thursday 10th, and plan to head for Batemans on Saturday 12th, so the Friday night is a real possibility. My parents' 60th anniversary event is on the Sunday - my mother was 90 in September and Dad will be 96 in February, so it's going to be a really special event. We're booked in at Batemans over Monday night, then intend to return to Sydney before flying to Washington on Saturday 19th. So anything that fits into that schedule suits us fine. Sorry we can't be more flexible, blame my parents - most inconsiderate of them to get married in January!!

Maybe we'll have to see you in installments during the week? Whatever works.

Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible.

Andrew & Carole

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Crane Driver
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 11:27 AM

Sorry - that was, of course, me - didn't realise my cookie had crumbled.

Andrew

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 07:07 PM

appropriate dates are noted in my diary.

see ya

sandra

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 07:58 PM

I'm thinking John and Dale Dengate would also love to meet with Andrew and Carole, and swap a few songs back and forth.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, shivering in the frozen northlands

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: JennyO
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 11:07 PM

Yes, I'm going to give John and Dale a ring soon. Haven't sorted accommodation either yet.

It sounds like we should go with Friday the 11th for the BBQ. I'll spread the word around.

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Polly Squeezebox
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 05:44 PM

Do have an absolutely wonderful time, and keep safe.

Also, whilst I'm sending good wishes to you both - have a wonderful Yule too, we don't have your address for a 'hard card'.

Brightest of Blessings,

Pauline, Jack & Zak

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Amos
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 05:54 PM

Ya know, flying from Sydney all the bloody way to DC is a really hare-brained idea, Andrew. You'd feel much better stopping off in California for a day to re-orient your temporal lobes and have dinner with me in San Diego.

A

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 07:01 PM

I dunno, Andrew & Carol....time with 'ol Amos can DISorient yer temporal lobes. He's a shifty one, he is. But you can wave as you pass over.

But, no matter...we'll be looking for you....and glad you can be here!

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Crane Driver
Date: 21 Dec 07 - 05:32 PM

OK - so staff at Heathrow have just announced a 24 hour strike on January 7th - the day before we're due to fly out. What effect will this have on our travel plans? Who knows. When will we get to Sydney? No idea. My temporal lobes are disoriented already, and we haven't left yet. Hopefully the dispute will be settled before the strike date. If not, we can only hope our flight isn't pushed back too much. We're due into Sydney about 8am Thursday, so we should still be there for Friday night whatever happens.

Our luggage will probably be in San Diego by then, of course.

Andrew

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Canberra Chris
Date: 21 Dec 07 - 09:15 PM

Andrew and Carole,

I did keep an eye on possiblities for Canberra, but it is holiday season for all venues. You would be welcome to drop in on the Shiny Bums rehearsal on any Monday evening if passing, and you can stay at my place anytime if that helps with your logistic options - I'll PM details.

Folks - we saw them during the Shiny Bum UK Tour, and they do really fun stuff!

The ones I would love you to catch up with are the Poms From Oz (Pomeroys) but they live in Townsville which is a long walk. You have repertoire interests in common. Hope you catch up with them here or there sometime - they also tour UK.

Come over again - for longer.

Charlie - for Batemans Bay turn east from Canberra until you get wet. Sorry to miss you and the James Craig. There was just too much going on, including losing home email for a month. I was there in spirit.

Cheers, Chris

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Dec 07 - 10:34 PM

Andrew and Carole-

I'm still smarting from the disfunctional airlines we had to put up with, but they got our bodies from place to place eventually. It was just my banjo that got displaced all too frequently.

I do hope things get settled so that you can board your flight, take your sleeping pills, and sleep for 12 hours or so.

Be sure to take out your concertina for show and tell, so the security folks are not unduly alarmed when they view its little springs and buttons on their screen.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Dec 07 - 09:58 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 25 Dec 07 - 05:26 AM

I expect that you won't be 'Queenslandering'... :-)

I'll just mention here as a bit of thread drift, as its not worth overexciting everyone yet, that I am currently negotiating with a Primary School Principal & P&C Committee about helping setup a small festival as a P&C fundraiser later in the year. If it does get a go on, it will be somewhat different... one of the main hassles yet is the dreaded insurance game...

It'll be in Toowoomba if it gets away...

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Maryrrf
Date: 27 Dec 07 - 11:08 AM

Hey Carole and Andrew - I sure hope the strike won't hold you up too much - we are looking forward to your concert here in Richmond. We'll do the Pub on Friday night - Terry (Leadfingers) and I had a gig there last week and it went great. It won't be a lot of money but it's just a couple of miles from my house and should be great fun. This is the place for your silliest material!

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Leadfingers
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 05:58 AM

The Pub with Mary was a fun Gig - You WILL Have fun - Thats an Order !

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: SussexCarole
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 06:57 PM

Cheers Mary & Terry we are really looking forward to that gig and the one in Richmond and we will have fun (even if the audience don't). We're hoping that the airport strike the day before we set off won't be too much of a problem but we'll weather any storm & darken many a doorstep on the way if needs be (watch out Chanteyranger).

We're so looking forward to seeing Bill & Rita (Ferrara) again & our friends in the Washington area for our House Concert on Monday 21 January. Thank you to you both for hosting us. Here's to a great evening of friendship, song, chorus & harmony in a wonderfully intimate setting. Bill - I'm hoping you still have that beautifully mellow toned bass recorder I may put it to good use!

And to you all in Oz we really can't wait to meet you all again.
Jenny O, John, Sandra, Bob, Jennie G et al & Chris (Shiny Bum) in Canberra if we can get there. Any news of Rymin Simon & Freda?

Carole

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Ferrara
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 07:27 PM

Bill has a new toy too, Carole -- he bought a lovely wood clarinet from BB at the Getaway. And he can play it! He played a bunch of carols with Songster Bob on Christmas Day. He says 15 years in school marching bands are to blame.

Crossing my fingers and hoping all goes smoothly with your flight.

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 07:40 PM

maybe we can visit Simon when you have a spare day in your busy touristing schedule!

I was supposed to visit him on Boxing day but rail trackwork put an end to that! Dunno why the rail authorities decided to start the 5 days of urgent trackwork on Boxing day, the day when lotsa' folks head off for holidays. They could have started on 27th & still finished by New Years eve, I suppose they decided most folks have cars.

freda moved house yesterday - she has been technically homeless for months living out of suitcases in a friend's spare room while The Builders ripped apart her place. We might see her on Mudcat more regularly when she unpacks her computer.

It's a 3 hour drive to Canberra from Sydney, but a much shorter trip from Batemans Bay.

sandra

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: SussexCarole
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 07:49 PM

Hey! I used to play clarinet. Ok bill there's one song I sing that needs clarinet accompaniment that I can't sing & play at the same time. There may be a challenge here.

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: SussexCarole
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 07:54 PM

Please give our best to Freda & hope we can meet up in Sydney sometime if possible, we've fond memories of our last trip to Oz.

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: JennyO
Date: 29 Dec 07 - 01:02 AM

I was talking to freda yesterday and she should be coming to the BBQ on the 11th. Unfortunately on that date, John and the other Roaring Forties are going to be in Tasmania at Cygnet Folk Festival.

Think I'll give Simon a ring tonight. He did manage to come down to Sydney for a Loaded Dog event a couple of weeks ago, so you never know.

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 08 Jan 08 - 06:53 PM

G'day JennyO,

I gather the final decision is to hold the Barbie on Friday 11th January.

I'll get over to that ... and I've checked with Ralph Pride - and he isn't doing a gig that night ... so he should be along - with his Triumph Duet (which he plays when he's not playing fiddle ... or mandolin ... or guitar ... or ukulele ... or bones ... or mouth-organ ... or whistle ... or doing the sound-mixing ... or whatever else he does to fill his idle hours!).

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Jan 08 - 07:05 PM

Bob-

We'd love a full report!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: SussexCarole
Date: 08 Jan 08 - 08:29 PM

Just arrived in San Francisco - on quick stopover -off to see the cable cars. Tried to make contact with Chanteyranger but not able. More later.....

Subject: RE: Andrew & Carole to OZ & US January 2008
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 08 Jan 08 - 08:47 PM

G'day Charley,

I'll send off a quick run-down and a few photographs ... some time after the event ...

It will be nice to see two Butterworth (designer) / Crane (introducer to the Sally Army) / Triumph (branding of Salvation Army instruments) duet concertinas get back together again. (Just so long as they don't get too nostalgic for "the good old days" ... and only play evangelic hymns!)

Regard(les)s,

Bob