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Max's Thread - UK Escapade
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Andy Jackson Date: 07 Sep 10 - 05:21 PM Great to meet you in person at last Max and to shake the hand of the man who has given so much to all of us. Andy |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: John MacKenzie Date: 07 Sep 10 - 01:07 PM That was Max's tears Kitty, as he flew over, on his way home. Next time Max, I demand that you come to Scotland as well. :) |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Herga Kitty Date: 07 Sep 10 - 12:44 PM I was lucky enough to meet Max a second time, at the Wail - I'm glad he enjoyed his brief visit, tea and scones/ cream / jam, and to hear that his whole trip and journey home went so well. (It rained in Dorset the morning after your visit to the Wail, by the way, while you were flying home....) Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: katlaughing Date: 07 Sep 10 - 12:19 PM What a wondrous thing you have all wrought...from the basement where Mudcat was born of Max and Jeff, to corroborating with Dick and Susan with the DT, to all who have come here and contributed, what a wonderful, wonderful thing/people/Max! Glad you are back safely and loved the travelogue, too. Look forward to hearing more when you feel so inclined. Really neat you had hugs waiting for you! luvyakat |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: SINSULL Date: 07 Sep 10 - 12:02 PM Funny - Jacqui's daughter was here from the UK. 90+ degress until she left. Fall is here now. Good to have you back, Max. I have enjoyed the travelogue. SINS |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Leadfingers Date: 07 Sep 10 - 11:56 AM Perhaps we should get Max back for the whole summer - See if we can ALL get a good tan !! |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Girl Friday Date: 07 Sep 10 - 11:11 AM Now that you're home Max, the English weather is back to normal. It poured with rain last night, and is still doing it today. |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Keith A of Hertford Date: 07 Sep 10 - 07:38 AM If you give away the secret of our perpetual glorious summer weather, our little island will soon get too crowded. Glad that you enjoyed it though Max. Did Jacqui not tell you that Hertfordshire is the jewel of all England? Next time maybe? keith. |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Leadfingers Date: 07 Sep 10 - 06:55 AM Max - It was a real pleasure to be able to contribute to your enjoyment of England and Wales ! |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Max Date: 07 Sep 10 - 06:44 AM The last day was loaded up with a drive to the Wail and then to Lewes Folk Club. The Wail was definitely worth the trek, there were a ton of mudcatters there and some great singing. Gave me a welcomed 2nd chance with several fine folks I saw along the way and cream tea and scones with jam and cream. It's a really neat little festival out in a field, and the weather was perfect again. Amazingly, 16 or my 17 days were blue sky and sunshine. I don't know what everyone talks about, England's weather is delightful. Just a couple of hours at the Wail, then it was off to Lewes Folk Club where Hils scheduled to perform and Terry and I were there to support her. Even Richard was cajoled into singing a song. We tore the roof off the joint. Terry sat in with Will and then with me, and Hils was amazing. Her songs are still stuck in my ear. It was another great club in another great room. Not a lot of admitted mudcatters, but perhaps we recruited a few. Back to Old Keepers to pack and sleep before an uneventful drive (thanks Terry) to the airport. Everything went perfect, flight on-time, the seat next to me empty so I could stretch out, everything went smooth. Then a drive from Philadelphia to State College where my kids were waiting. Emily was a peach to meet me so I could get some of the best hugs I've ever gotten. The next morning I went to see my folks and pick up my dog, who also missed me dearly. Just when I thought I was home and back to normal, I'm up 2 hours before dawn, clearly still on UK time. So it's back to work, back to life... Wish me luck. There'll probably be another couple of updates as a ruminate about my trip. I can tell you this was a life changer. All the fine folks, all the ground I covered and songs I heard, the festivals the folk clubs, surely I'll continue to process it all for the rest of my life. Perhaps I will consolidate it all with the pictures and such and offer it up in a more tangible form as suggested, we'll see. I very big thank you to all involved. All the great folks who welcomed me into their homes and drug my butt across the country and into their clubs, thank you. Hils and Richard, SINSULL and Mick, jaqui and anyone else who contributed and organized this trip, you are amazing, it all went off without a hitch. Amazing... |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Don(Wyziwyg)T Date: 06 Sep 10 - 08:39 PM Our time with Max was all too short in a very busy schedule, but long enough to know that when he next visits the UK he has a place to stay for as long as he wishes. The fee for this service will be a little help in playing finger style blues guitar. It's been both a pleasure, and a privilege. Don T. |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Anne Lister Date: 06 Sep 10 - 06:24 PM Thanks, Gnu ... we did meet a cement mixer on a quiet lane in Monmouthshire and Max told me the tale. Luckily in this case the two vehicles didn't make contact. But it was absolutely our pleasure to have Max come and visit and I'm so glad it all worked out the way it did. |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: gnu Date: 06 Sep 10 - 03:00 PM Ya know... I was just chattin with a buddy and said I enjoyed the vid of Max playing and singing and mentioned his good guitar playing might not have been possible after the accident. Accident? Yup. For anybody that missed the thread, here it is. |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Soldier boy Date: 06 Sep 10 - 10:37 AM Very well expressed Big Mick and a big thanks back from all UK Mudcatters. |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Big Mick Date: 06 Sep 10 - 01:00 AM My role was minor compared to that done by MGAS and Sinsull. I had every intention of doing all the legwork.... but as is well documented, my life took some hops that precluded that. I called "She who is Mother to all, and must be obeyed, elst you will receive boxes of gaudy junk" otherwise known as Sinsull. She did what she has always done (which is why I love you, woman), and then we got talking about who to get with in the UK. Sins suggested MGAS, and that turned out to be enough to earn them both Sainthood in this lad's heart. So when it comes to kudos, it belongs to these two. And MGAS, I hope Richard is a tolerant sort, because I am going to give you a grade A, down home going to Jesus, country boy, patented Big Mick hug the first time I get the chance. And to our friends in the UK, thanks so much for the hospitality you have shown. The fact is that ever since I met Max, all those years ago in his "office" above the Iron Horse Brewery in West (by Gawd) Chester, PA, I fast knew that I loved this man like a brother. I have watched him, over the years sacrifice time with his kids, money, and relationships, just to keep Mudcat going. He has done this not because he had too, and at times not because he wanted to. He did it because he knew that this was a special place, and that for many it was their window on the world. He is as fine a man as I know, and I so wanted this to be the trip of a lifetime. Thanks to Sinsull, MGAS and Richard, and all of you fine UK'ers, that is exactly what happened. I hope one day soon to tell you all that in person. But for now, please accept my fondest best wishes and my gratitude for showing our Max the hospitality you showed him. All the very best, Mick |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: My guru always said Date: 05 Sep 10 - 06:08 PM We're so glad Max has returned home safely, he will be missed here in the UK and especially here at Old Keepers. This trip would not have happened without Big Mick's initial 'nudging', the collections made by SINSULL and in the UK, all the wonderful MudCatters who contributed, hosted & helped (you know who you are), and also all those who offered ideas and suggestions for Max's Grand UK Escapade. I must also add my personal thanks to my other half, Richard, who supported me throughout the organisation of Max's trip. Max has a huge list of MudCatters he's met (and possibly met) in the UK. I've posted Registers on the appropriate threads but I may have missed a few Catters for which I apologise. As Max promised, he has been documenting the trip to the full with photos and videos aswell as posts here and on Facebook etc. I'm sure that Max will need a while to recover from his strenuous itinerary. I think he impressed us all by managing the challenge of the trip with such cheerful good grace. It's been an absolute privilege to share some of Max's time with him and to ease his passage during this trip. As his Mum says, he's a good boy! Thanks Max, for providing us with such a secure home-base for the Worldwide Folk Community, you now have an idea of how much we appreciate you here in the UK. Wishing you safe journeys on your next adventure, we know you've got the bug for getting out and about to meet Catters around the world. They'll want to meet you too..... |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Girl Friday Date: 05 Sep 10 - 04:16 PM Max- your photos of London are absolutely stunning ! |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: vectis Date: 05 Sep 10 - 04:15 PM Very pleased to hear he has arrived home safely. It was a pleasure to meet him in Whitby. I hope he will make NZ once I have moved there so I'll get to see him again. Mary |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Stilly River Sage Date: 05 Sep 10 - 03:59 PM He has landed back in the U.S.! Just sent a tweet and a facebook note. |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Mrs.Duck Date: 05 Sep 10 - 03:54 PM Have a safe journey, Max.You have your Whitby heather so you'll be back :) |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Girl Friday Date: 05 Sep 10 - 08:45 AM I'm very glad that we went to Lewes last night. It was great fun, and we got to say goodbye to Max properly. I'll look at your piccies later Max . Happy landings, and glad there were no holdups on the world's biggest car park. Sue |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: GUEST,puck Date: 05 Sep 10 - 08:19 AM It gave me great pleasure indeed to meet Max and shake his hand at Llantrisant Folk Club last Wed. evening and to thank him for the Mudcat Cafe - this brilliant and educational resource he has gifted to us all. In humble reply, he said not to forget that it is as useful for him as it is for us! It's true that an on-line community is only as good as those taking part in it but Max envisaged the concept, made it a reality and what a success it has become! P. [Malcolm 'over-by-'ere'] |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: VirginiaTam Date: 05 Sep 10 - 07:27 AM safe flight to you Max.. wonderful seeing you in person. |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Leadfingers Date: 05 Sep 10 - 07:07 AM Got Max to Heathrow in good time for his flight - He takes off in about a half hour from now ! London orbital Carpark did NOT live up to its nams , so an easy drove round from Leatherhead . Had a great time last night-Thanks for Hospitality , Hils and Richard , and after a FULL day driving the Pretty Way to Lewes Via The Wail) Hills did a superb evening at the Filk Club ! |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 05 Sep 10 - 05:54 AM Thanks, Rob, now I can say I've seen Big Ben & the decoration around the clockfaces on St Stephen's Clock tower! |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Anne Lister Date: 05 Sep 10 - 04:21 AM And Max and I drove past where the man who gave his name to Big Ben had a family estate, in Llanover. Benjamin Hall, who married Augusta Waddington, was the chap in question. Happy landings, Max - we've loved having you here! Hope your return home is full of joyful reunions, and we hope you'll come back soon. |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Rob Naylor Date: 05 Sep 10 - 03:50 AM Sandra, Being very pedantic, very few people have seen ANY pictires of "Big Ben". What Max's photos (and probably all the other ones you've seen) are showing is ST STEPHEN'S CLOCK TOWER. "Big Ben" is the nickname of the largest bell (formally called The Great Bell) installed in the tower. Here's a photo of the real Big Ben: ACTUAL Photo of Big Ben :-) |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 05 Sep 10 - 12:26 AM I've seen zillions of pics of Big Ben, but never a close up of the amazing decoration. I second Joe's comments about the photos. thanks, Max sandra |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 Sep 10 - 09:58 PM Someone needs to pull all of these photos from all of these sources into one file. And the videos. And Max's commentary and the stories people have shared. Put it all on a disk as a slide show with videos and I'd buy a copy. Just a thought. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Will Fly Date: 04 Sep 10 - 06:50 PM Just said "farewell and a safe journey" to Max after a great evening at the Lewes Saturday Folk Club at the Elephant & Castle. He played great blues with mandolin accompaniment from Leadfingers. And My Guru Said To Me was excellent and in great voice. An evening to remember - watch out for some forthcoming YouTube videos of Max in action this evening... |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Bill D Date: 04 Sep 10 - 06:46 PM "Makes me want to make another visit. Makes ME wish for just one visit. I spent my youth seeing the US, while my wife saw Europe a couple of times. We trade stories. C'mon home Max, there's radio shows which miss you. |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Guy Wolff Date: 04 Sep 10 - 05:41 PM Amazing Joe . Is that blue skys in those pictures !! I dont remember much of the corlor blue in the sky at any rate !! Thanks for the link .. |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Joe Offer Date: 04 Sep 10 - 04:26 PM I've been enjoying Max's London Photos along with some from the music gatherings he's been enjoying. Makes me want to make another visit. Have a great time, Max! Your architecture photos show you have a good eye for photo composition. -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: John MacKenzie Date: 04 Sep 10 - 11:33 AM I met up with the main man myself. He came up to the venue where I was stewarding, and we had a long chat. It was nice to meet up again, and we chewed the fat, and set the world to rights ☺ Glad you're enjoying your trip Max, we're an eclectic bunch over here, some of us are quite nice too ☻ To save anybody else saying it, I don't count myself in the quite nice category.☺-☻ |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 Sep 10 - 11:07 AM Well, Mick and all who thought up and contributed to this fabulous trip, I must say that it is truly a gift that keeps on giving - to all of us. We've all learned so much, and I think Max's tour amongst all of our UK folks has gone a long way to giving us a look into that rich music and cultural heritage in the here and now. Thanks to all of you, and thanks, Max, for reporting back, and thanks to our UK folks who have offered up stories and photos. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Newport Boy Date: 04 Sep 10 - 10:46 AM Sandra - you'll just have to find a couple of 'Catters with private planes! Phil |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: gnu Date: 04 Sep 10 - 09:17 AM You're lucky Terry's away to meet up with Max, John. |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 04 Sep 10 - 08:10 AM gulp - how do we match the fabulous UK hospitality? And our festivals are so much further apart in this 'wide brown land' ... sandra |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Max Date: 04 Sep 10 - 04:31 AM Sandra... you're next. (well your nation that is) |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: John MacKenzie Date: 04 Sep 10 - 04:05 AM Sorry had to do this 200 |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Newport Boy Date: 04 Sep 10 - 03:26 AM You've been busier that we have since Wednesday, Max. Great to see you at Llangennith, and I'm very pleased you had almost perfect weather for your experience of Rhosili Bay. Phil |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 03 Sep 10 - 08:09 PM I've been enjoying your tour, Max sandra |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: katlaughing Date: 03 Sep 10 - 06:26 PM Oh, is that all...no worries, then!:-) |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Max Date: 03 Sep 10 - 05:50 PM The whirlwind continues. Had an absolute wonderful time at Anne and Steve's, in Pontypool. The mudgather was very enjoyable, filled with warm and bright folks, great food and great conversation. We gabbed so much, we didn't get to any music. It was a welcomed change, to just chat with folks. I enjoyed it very much. Off to Gower. I headed home with Andrew and Carol to Gower. They explained the beauty during the drive and Carol lamented the darkness preventing me from seeing it. They warned me that I would merely have to lift my head from my pillow in the morning and look out the window for the proper introduction. They weren't exaggerating. Such a lovely community, Llangennith, stunning landscapes, the sea, the hills... Amazingness (yes, I'm making that a word). Carol took me on what turned out to be just about the best hike I have ever been on in my 38 years. Top 2 if not #1. Up, across, down, over and upon the Rhossili Downs, Beach, and Cliffs. Every step, the view just kept getting better. We huffed and puffed our way to the top and back down the other side where the cliffs were. No guard rails, no safety nets, hundreds of feet down and gusting winds. Exhilarating beyond belief. We stopped to have a pint at a pub with a deck right on the edge of the cliffs. Best view of any restaurant that I've ever been to, hands down.
With the day's sightseeing behind us, still dizzy from what I just saw, we were off to Dame Patti's for tea (which means dinner here), then to Llantrisant Folk Club for a floorspot, more mudcatters and more good times. Dinner was lovely, and they had a fiddle player friend, Ross, down from Scotland who's company I also enjoyed very much.
The next morning, we got all packed up, with Carol and Andrew dropping me off in Oxford to catch a double decker bus into Victoria, London, they continued on to The Wail which I'll be off to after a day in London. Saying a ceremonious goodbye to Wales we re-entered England on the way.
Had a great lunch with my friend Judd, who I think I may have turned into a mudcatter with stories of my adventure and the characters and kindness surrounding it. Tried London fish and chips, which as warned were not as good as the Whitby Cod, but better than most in America. Micca met me at the George and got me to Waterloo station so I could catch the train back to Leatherhead in time for tea (dinner). Liver and bacon with carrots, mashed potatoes, asparagus and a chocolate tart for desert. After dinner, Terry and I worked out some numbers together for the spot tomorrow night. Blues guitar with whistle and mandolin accompaniment, this should be interesting. Off to the Wail in the morning, then a spot at Lewes Folk Club, supporting one of HIls' gigs, so I am very excited to see her perform and to jam with Terry Leadfooted Leadfingers Silver. Then back late and up early again to catch my plane back to the states. Wow. So, not much happening here, just the usual... |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Mr Red Date: 03 Sep 10 - 12:44 PM Thanx 4 the interview - Max. It will be going out on Stroud FM soon. And if I can find the webspace it will be available on-line soon. Will post when edited and uploaded. It is currently a 7 Mb file but that could be reduced when not for live broadcasting. |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Splott Man Date: 03 Sep 10 - 07:16 AM That's (L-R) Olli Price, Mick Tems and Tori (mid song), who we hadn't seen at the club for some time. |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Jack Campin Date: 03 Sep 10 - 05:57 AM This one of Max's photos is stunning: three people at Llantrisant Very effective use of blur/pixelation to make something like an impressionist painting. |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: My guru always said Date: 03 Sep 10 - 04:41 AM Richard & I managed to see Max again last night at LtS's Black Lion session. He's had a few small 'glitches' along the way, but the Itinerary seems to be working well & we're all 'fire-fighting' those glitches to smooth his passage. All Max's Hosts and Helpers have been marvellous and I think Max is getting a quite a variety of Catters to meet, places to see & types of transport too! Today he has been let loose on the city of London, and is pottering around by himself this morning with Liz's A-Z mapbook. Hopefully he'll get to his lunch appointment and Micca will meet him afterwards (with his carry-on bag) for some guided sight-seeing before catching the right train to get back to us here for tea at Old Keepers (liver & bacon followed by chocolate tart). Leadfingers will be joining us for the rest of Max's trip and is loaning a guitar for Max to use. Just in case anyone would like to browse photos of Old Keepers, my photopages are here! This evening he'll have time to repack as there won't be any other time before his flight on Sunday. He might even get to shave!! Tomorrow there will be lots of time (probably 5 hours total) in the car (good scenery though) going to the Wail at Verwood in Dorset to meet more MudCatters for a couple of hours. Then we'll drive over to Lewes for my gig in the evening, Max & Leadfingers will get a chance to play too! I'll drive them all back to Leatherhead afterwards and Leadfingers has promised to get Max to Heathrow by 9.45am on Sunday. We'll be sorry to see him go, he's been a great guest here in the UK! Hil |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Ebbie Date: 03 Sep 10 - 12:40 AM Thank YOU all for letting us share in this adventure! (yes, there really is an Eek. Not to mention an Egegik.) |
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Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade From: Liz the Squeak Date: 03 Sep 10 - 12:11 AM There's a place called Eek? I must go there!!! A gentle session last night, meant we could chat and enjoy each other's company, sing a few blues and work out the best way to get as much of London into a 2hour walk as possible! Thanks all for being there. LTS |
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