The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ

Subject: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 04:00 AM

Woohoo, we're finally going!

After several years of planning and setbacks, we're off to the Land of the Long White Cloud in October.

We've got a few fixed points:
12 Oct, The Bunker, Devonport;
15 Oct, House concert, Lower Hutt, nr Wellington;
23-25 Oct, Cardrona Festival;
30-31 Oct, Dunedin Celtic Arts Festival.

We hope to bump into a few Mudcatters there, and we'll be actively looking for folk clubs and sessions. Any suggestions?

Cheers

Splott Man & Dame Pattie Smith EPNS (Pat & Ned to you)

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: SylviaN
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 04:31 AM

Keith and I wish you a very happy and enjoyable time.

Keith says say hello to Roger Giles and Ken and Trisha Lee for him.

xxx

Sylvia

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: bill\sables
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 04:54 AM

There is a music session every Tuesday night at The Celtic Inn down the alley between the Broadway Cinema and Planet Music on Broadway Palmerston North. Instruments include Fiddles, Guitars, Border Pipes, Melodeons etc
Bill

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Mr Red
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 05:50 AM

Little Robyn lives in the Palmerston area. Try PM's her.
have you tried surfing to KiwiFolk?

I have lost contact with the Wellington fraternity I knew. Give e'm my regards if you get there.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 03:24 PM

Have a wonderful time you two & safe journeys!!

New Zealand doesn't know what's coming, eh? These two come highly recommended and love to perform, give them a booking or see them if you can, you'll have a Fab evening!!!

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: GUEST,Little Robyn on Mitch's computer
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 03:40 PM

Hi, we're in Hawke's Bay, about 2 hours drive from Palmy.
We'll be at the Wellington Folk Festival while you're at Cardrona so we'll probably miss you unless you make a detour on your way from Auckland to Wellington. There's a session here on Tuesday nights and everyone is welcome.
Robyn

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Barry Finn
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 03:59 PM

Have a great time

Barry

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Noreen
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 04:08 PM

Exciting! Have fun. x

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 05:58 PM

Hello to Roger Giles from me too!

Have a great time, you two....

Kitty

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Anne Lister
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 07:00 PM

We're envious here ...

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Dame Pattie Smith EPNS
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 07:29 PM

This will be my fourth trip down under. Splottie doesn't know what'll hit him living with me in a camper van for a month! Our van is called 'The Hippy Camper'! I think that says it all really!

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 10:04 PM

Happy tripping!
Ross

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 11 Sep 09 - 03:45 AM

Update.

While at Cardrona, we'll be teaming up with Martin Curtis, Dave Hart & Marcus Turner to form a Twmpath (Welsh ceilidh) Band. This may well be repeated at Dunedin a week later.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 03:56 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: vectis
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 06:01 PM

Second Sundays at Yazza's cafe in the centre of Nelson usually a guest nights or fourth sundays at the backpackers in Nelson for a session and sing. If you get there say 'Hi' to everyone from Ian and me. Hope to see them all at Tui for New Year.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Gurney
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 12:20 AM

A month or so ago, I put up the days of the folk clubs in Auckland, (one of which was wrong and promptly corrected.)
Shouldn't be too hard to find, but I will repeat it if ness.
Kiwifolk is the best idea.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 03:45 AM

Thanks for all the info so far, folks. Thanks Gurney, I kept your thread from before - Kiwifolk is a very helpful site.
We've tightened up our schedule a bit, Vectis, so I think we're going to have to bypass Nelson, And there are a few other sessions and clubs we're not going to make.

But we've added Mojo Acoustic (16 Oct) in Wellington area to our list,
and we'll probably go to East Coast Folk Club in Torbay on our last night.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 05:46 AM

Twmpath !
I thought we had established from Welsh road signs that that is a Sleeping Policeman!
Have fun...
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 03:40 AM

That's what we do Geoff - we dance on sleeping policemen!

Explanation by yer.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 18 Sep 09 - 04:02 AM

Update - we've managed to add a few...

12 Oct - The Bunker, Devonport ;
15 Oct - House concert, Lower Hutt, nr Wellington;
16 Oct - Mojo Acoustic Café, Lower Hutt;
17 Oct - Wellington-Picton Interislander morning ferry;
23-25 Oct -Cardrona Folk Festival ;
30-31 Oct -Dunedin Celtic Arts Festival .
3 Nov - Picton-Wellington Interislander afternoon ferry.

The rest of the time we'll be enjoying the wonderful scenery and meeting the lovely people.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Sep 09 - 05:18 AM

How are you gonna get all those spoons through the airport scanner? Hand luggage?

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Gurney
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 12:21 AM

Now then, Mr Red, we don't eat with our fingers here. We've heard about spoons, and even knives and forks.

Sorry, just remembered American-style fast food. We eat that with our fingers. Neither Mc's nor KFC have discovered cutlery yet.
You can't beat a rhythm on plastic spoons.


Well, you CAN, but no-one else can hear it.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: My guru always said
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 12:33 AM

I am struggling with the vision of a KFC Spoons Orchestra attempting 'the Flight of the Valkyries'......

I'm certain that Dame Patti could pull it off though *grin*

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Micca
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 04:43 AM

Its usually Knives that Airport security get their Boxers in a bunch about , But Gurney if you haven't seen Dame Patties artistry with spoons ( playing them , that is) you are certainly in for a treat!!Pattie and Ned, have a lovely trip the Kiwis are lucky to get you!!
Micca

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: GUEST,padgett on lap top
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 01:33 PM

Well enjoy yourselves!! first and foremost

Do they not have spoons in NZ??

Ray

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Little Robyn
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 06:01 PM

Hey, I've just found some photos from Cardrona here.

Robyn

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 04:08 AM

We get off the Picton ferry late on a Tuesday afternoon (3 Nov), so the Celtic Inn is a distinct possibility for a visit, does anyone there have a spot we could park our camper van?

Splott man

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: AnneMC
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 06:08 AM

Levin Folk Music Club welcomes visitors! We are an hour and a half north of Wellington.
We have a monthly club night on second Friday of each month with an open blackboard first half which is followed by an invited guest artist. Plus on 4th Friday of the month we have an Acoustic Night - no guest artist, just a chance for all comers to sing in an informal comfortable session. Our guests on October 9 are the Wooden Box Band from Wellington, led by Paddy Burgin (musician and guitar and mandolin maker) - awesome original songs and instrumentals (http://www.burginguitars.co.nz/2K4_recordings.htm). On November 13 we have a New Zealand folkie gem as our guest artist - Mike Harding from Taranaki (http://www.mikeharding.co.nz/).
Please call in if you are in the area on one of our nights, you would be most welcome to take part on our blackboard and experience a New Zealand folk club.

AnneMC

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 03:54 AM

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 03:56 AM

Oops! My message box had wind.

2 weeks to go!

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 08:55 AM

You can't beat a rhythm on plastic spoons.

Oh - you haven't seen my pair then? They are red of course. And you can hear them all right. They are salad serving implements.

And I have eaten NZ hot dogs. Toasted rolls (on the inside) and sausages inserted in the aperture. Tastes better than it describes (or looks). AND there's nowhere for onions, thank goodness. No N F & S needed.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Little Robyn
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 06:08 PM

That must be Mr Red.
It depends where you get your hotdogs - some have onions and tomato sauce.
Robyn

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 27 Sep 09 - 06:00 PM

Sounds... er... tasty

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 05 Oct 09 - 04:11 AM

6 more sleeps till we get there.

See you at The Bunker next Monday.

Looks like we'll be in the vicinity for the Palmy session at some point, too.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: SussexCarole
Date: 05 Oct 09 - 05:25 AM

Have a great time - we look forward to hearing all about your travels when you get back

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 05 Oct 09 - 12:14 PM

We'll bore the **** off you!

We're taking Funeral Horses with us, it's in our set now.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 08 Oct 09 - 09:51 AM

That's it, we're off!

Hopefully meet some of you NZ Catters in the next 4 weeks.

Splott man

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Brian Peters
Date: 08 Oct 09 - 10:22 AM

If you're checking Mudcat while you're away, please remember me to Roger Giles too - the Bunker is such a great gig! And say Hi to Trish and Ken if you see them.

Have fun!
Brian

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: SussexCarole
Date: 08 Oct 09 - 11:09 AM

Re: Funeral Horses - before you sing it just be careful to explain that Mumbles is a town near Swansea. When Andrew sang it in Sydney he found out that mumbles has another meaning - enjoy.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Dame Pattie Smith EPNS
Date: 09 Oct 09 - 05:20 AM

all packed and everything overweight (especially Ned) Leaving on the National Express in an hour. Hwyl Fawr pob, bye bye Wales. Closing down and off.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 15 Oct 09 - 12:07 AM

Well here we are in Lower Hutt - house concert tonight at musichaven.
Mojo Acoustic Cafe tomorrow, and The Interislander on Saturday.

The Bunker was a brilliant night, a few ex-pats among the crowd.

Rororua and a thermal bath on Wednesday.

Too much stuff to bore you with here.

Splottie & Pattie

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: John J
Date: 15 Oct 09 - 04:24 AM

You're not boring us at all - keep it coming!

JJ

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 15 Oct 09 - 04:39 AM

Daily diary reports please.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Eye Lander
Date: 15 Oct 09 - 04:51 AM

Love to here the news, keep it coming.

Jillie

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Little Robyn
Date: 15 Oct 09 - 02:37 PM

I hope the weather stays fine for your crossing. It's a great trip in fair weather!
"Cruisin' on the Interislander......"
Robyn

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: My guru always said
Date: 15 Oct 09 - 03:46 PM

Love to you over there from us over here! Safe journeys!

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 15 Oct 09 - 04:06 PM

Great gig last night, a few expats, including a woman from Llangennith whose father once owned the field on which Crane Driver and Sussex Carole's house now stands!

It's pissing down now, has been all night! Just like a UK summer.

A free day today for laundry, tidyng the van and wandering about. Stay awake back there!

Does anyone in Palmerston North want a van on their drive on Tuesday 3 November?

Splottie & Pattie

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Gurney
Date: 15 Oct 09 - 04:40 PM

Splott, I wonder if you have ventured onto Kiwifolk.com.   A good many more Kiwi folkies are there than here.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 04:15 AM

Thanks Gurney I pop in but haven't contributed yet, our time seems to be filling up thanks to friends already here.

Looks like we'll be missing Ppalmerston N now, but will be in a sesh at the Dragon in Wellington on Tues 3rd.

Currently in Te Anau, going to Milford Sound tomorrow.
Aoraki by ski plane was the most astounding experience. We had a free upgrade to include 2 glacier landings.

Wow! Just Wow!

Splott Man and Pattie.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Fidjit
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 08:50 AM

Do they not have spoons in NZ??

No they play with forks and call it, "Open tuning" !

Patti will put them right.

Chas

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Gurney
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 06:57 PM

Convoluted, Fidgit. I had to think about that one. I suppose playing with spoons could be called 'closed tuning.'

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 06:03 AM

as long as nobody gets the knives out.........

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 05:39 PM

They have to bring their own for Cardrona, it's on the publicity.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 01:54 AM

Looks like a cracking band for Dunedin.

Shiner are the core band, but Martin Curtis is sitting in, as may be Marcus Turner.

Walked up to the Rob Roy Glacier today, and naturally encountered a couple of keas.

Also Oystercatchers grazing in the valley, weird!

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 08:47 AM

any Moreporks?

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 02 Nov 09 - 02:55 AM

We left Cardrona last Tuesday and went more or less straight to Dunedin where we played at the Dunedin Celtic Festival.

Friday concert at Otago museum brought out old friend from Cardiff Morris, we didn't even know he lived there now.

Great ceilidh on Saturday night with Slattery's Ashes, augmented by Martin Curtis and the extremely versatile Marcus Turner. We even let their own caller do a little guest spot!

Short concert spot on Sunday then we hightailed it to Christchurch to meet up with fab guitarist (and maker) Graham Wardrop. Watch out for him, we'll have him in Llantrisant and beyond before long.

Tomorrow we play for the snoozers on the afternoon ferry to Wellington, then to a session at the Dragon Bar in the evening.

Splottie and the Dame.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Dame Pattie Smith EPNS
Date: 12 Nov 09 - 07:56 PM

Well here we are back home now. We had a fab time. No jetlag allowed, straight back to work the next day. no nonsense. We did ski planes over Mt Cook landing on Tasman and Fox glaciers, boats on Milford Sound with Dolphins including the Kea experience at the Homer tunnel! unfortunately no whale watching cos weather was too bad that day, seal colony off Kaikoura, close encounter with sea lion!, penguin watching in hides in dunes, glow worms in caves at Te Anau, Albatross colony in Otago peninsular, walk up to Rob Roy glacier with friend Martin Curtis, saw lots of avalanches, camped at Mt. Ruaperahu (is that how you spell it?) anyway an active volcano - stunning!! Rotoruha was smelly but the Poketos were very friendly. They were almost in the van eating the cornflakes.
Oh and I forgot, we played for some great concerts and festivals too.
I think we will be going back in 5 years' time.

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Gurney
Date: 12 Nov 09 - 11:12 PM

Glad you enjoyed your holiday. Try to make it for the Auckland FF next time, at the end of January.

Pukekos? Black and blue bantam-sized birds?

Subject: RE: The Dame & Splottie are off to NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 03:57 AM

Home indeed!
The last 3 days were amazing, stayed 2 nights at Whakapapa in the Tongoriro National Park.
Active volcanos and stunning high altitude walks.
Then back to Auckland for a night out with Roger Giles and Hilary to see his daughter's band, Forbidden Joe, who were also at Dunedin, but we didn't make the connection there.
Great to meet all you NZ folkies, and Welsh expats. Sorry not to hook up with others of you, maybe next time. And there will be a next time, we just have to decide what time of year.

Playing on the Interislander Ferry is a good way to pay for the ticket. You do an hour when you get out onto the rolling (and it does) sea to assorted snoozers and people watching football on silent TVs.
So we started with Chip Taylor's We Come Up Shining - first line: There's a leaky old boat...
Plenty of songs about bad weather, then we finished with the Swansea version of Rolling Home.

Special thanks to musoes Martin Curtis, Marcus Turner, Dave Hart, Graham Wardrop, and the guys from Slattery's Ashes, and also to Roger & Hilary, Ruth Birnie & Gerard, Bernadette Mahony, Kathryn Olcott, Kay Curtis, and Margaret Maguire.

Splott Man