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Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival
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Subject: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 21 Feb 05 - 07:08 AM Well, it's that time of the year again, it's almost Easter - time for my annual thread. Other Catters might start zillions of threads, but not me. Late last year I bought my Early Bird ticket, & I'll be booking my train ticket later this week, so I can get that Early Bird discount, too. So apart from JennyO, JennieG, Hrothgar & Bob Bolton, who'll be there? And do we meet in our usual spot in the session bar, & also at Hrothgar's hymn singing session? Who's performing? And where/when (provisionally)? And do any new Catters need Mudcat badges? Bob makes a beautiful badge. so many questions sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 21 Feb 05 - 08:08 AM John (jack halyard) will be going down on the Wednesday and setting up camp for us in the performers area. I won't be going down till probably late Thursday. I think what we did last year is a good idea - a 1pm meeting time in the session bar on any day for those who can make it, and other possible meetings at Hrothgar's hymn singing session and wherever else. JennieG is volunteering in the office again, and I think freda is planning to be there. So who else? Joybell? Callie? Chicky? Alison? Jenny |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: alison Date: 22 Feb 05 - 02:06 AM I won't be there this year, my band Celtic Fire is off touring outback NSW over Easter - have fun and see you at St Albans slainte alison |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: freda underhill Date: 22 Feb 05 - 04:20 AM thats a great website youve set up for St Albans, Alison. I'm still in two minds about going to either freda |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: alison Date: 22 Feb 05 - 07:16 AM thanks Freda its a lovely little little festival slainte alison |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennieG Date: 23 Feb 05 - 01:49 AM Callie is going, but I don't know about Chicky. I am going to Canberra the previous weekend and working 3 shifts in the office before the festival starts, and 2 during - Friday am and Saturday evening - which isn't too bad. 1pm in the session bar sounds good to me, we can do lunch. Cheers JennieG |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 23 Feb 05 - 05:12 AM Yes Jennie, lets shall. Jenny (sending this to the top again ;-)) |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 23 Feb 05 - 09:16 PM Re-fresh - which is what the air will be like at night in Canberra. Maybe not as "fresh" as some years, as it will be earlier than usual for Easter, but freda told me weeks ago that the nights are already cold. So who else is going? |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: freda underhill Date: 24 Feb 05 - 04:55 AM I have now booked at the "Pickled" wombat, for snalbans. and will be there for at least some of the Nat. |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 24 Feb 05 - 05:24 AM Heh, heh - I think you'll find, freda, that it's the Fickle Wombat. If you want pickled wombat, maybe you should go to the thread about eating horses - there are all sorts of delicacies there ;-) I'm sending you a PM about Saturday, too - slight change of plans. Jenny |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 24 Feb 05 - 06:55 AM I won't be able to go, but I would dearly love a Mudcat Badge... we can always figure out later on how to get it to me... |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 24 Feb 05 - 07:30 AM Bob's Mudcat badges are business card size, and laminated and show the Mudcat logo & member's name. I can't rememeber if we posted any pics of us wearing them, maybe you can check the Events pics in case. As Bob is on holiday & won't be back for a week at least, I can't speak for him, but I assume he can throw some together again. When I know what's what you can PM your address & I'll post one. sandra adding to the list of attendees - according to their newsletter Cloudstreet will be there (& at lots of other Festivals, too) |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: GUEST,Pat & Ken Date: 25 Feb 05 - 04:07 AM Really sorry we won't be there this year. Had a brilliant time last year and are planning to return in 2006. We'll be available for gigs if anyone is interested. |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 03 Mar 05 - 09:51 AM Refresh. Only 3 weeks to go folks! So who else is going? |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: John in Brisbane Date: 03 Mar 05 - 10:44 AM Yep! |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: GUEST Date: 04 Mar 05 - 11:28 PM Soo, if a Guamanian decided to go to this thing after all could someone answer some questions? I have a few. Where would I stay? How would I get from the airport to where I can stay and then to the festival? When should I plan to get there and how long can I mooch off the locals until they get sick of me and kick me out of their country? |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Naemanson Date: 04 Mar 05 - 11:30 PM Hmm, somehow I got un-cookied. The last one was from me. |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 05 Mar 05 - 12:26 AM You will need a passport & visa. |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 05 Mar 05 - 01:25 AM Hey Brett - are you thinking of coming after all? That would be so excellent! Would you be with or without Wakana? You stayed at Margaret's last time, didn't you. I imagine that might be possible again to start with. Then you could come down to Canberra with one of us. John's going down in his van on the Wednesday 23rd, and taking Sandra. He might be able to take another person, but I'm not sure. I'm going on the Thursday and taking freda. John and I both have vehicles we have only had for a short time, which we have never taken camping, so we are not sure of their carrying capacity. My back seat goes down in two halves, so I mght be able to keep half up and take another person. There would also be other people going in cars, but I don't know their situation. There is also a train, if all else fails. The festival starts on Thursday 24th. I'm not sure if you'd be into camping, which is what most of us do. If not, there are motels and such nearby. I'm not sure of the details, or if there is still accommodation available at them. At this stage, they could very well be booked out. There are also a couple of people we know who live in Canberra, and it might be possible for you to be billetted. I imagine you might already have a passport, but I'm not sure about the visa situation - how long you could stay and how quickly you could get one. Others might know more. It would be great if we can make this work! Jenny |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Naemanson Date: 05 Mar 05 - 02:38 AM Note: This is all still in the "possible" stage. The festival is closer than I expected. I thought it would be in April (Easter and all). That would be without Wakana. I don't believe she wants to come along but then I didn't invite her. Hmm, I better do something about that. Foolstroupe, I have a passport but do not need a visa. Last time they gave me permission at immigration. Have things changed since November 2003? As for camping, I have only one problem. I have no gear. Well, I have a hammock and a tarp but that is the extent of it. Somewhere around here I might have a very light sleeping bag. |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 05 Mar 05 - 03:39 AM Easter is unusually early this year - I can't remember the last time it was in March - it's all worked out according to the moon, apparently. As for camping gear, I expect we might be able to round some up for you. Bring your sleeping bag by all means, but you will need extra cover for those cold Canberra nights. It has been known to get down to freezing, although being a little earlier in the year may make the nights slightly warmer. The days are usually warm and pleasant though. Bring some serious warm clothing for the evenings. You will need it. Any Oz catters going who have spare camping gear? I haven't heard of any changes in immigration, so if you didn't need a visa last time, maybe it will still be the same. Freda might know. I'll ask her. Let us know about Wakana, too. John or I would only have room for one person extra, so it will make a difference, but we could work around it in some way. I also wondered whether she would be able to handle camping, with her back problem. Is that still an issue for her? I hope you can come! Jenny |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Bob Bolton Date: 05 Mar 05 - 04:04 AM G'day Brett, I'm going down early ... Monday afternoon 21 March ... to attend Brian Peters' pre-Easter Master Class in accordion - then photographing through the Festival. (Serious balancing act here: serum donation at Red Cross blood bank, AM ... have to get away early enough for 3½ hour drive to Canberra and booking into camp site ... and must squeeze in proper observance of 35th wedding anniversary - as Patricia is spending Easter with other of our friends ... !) It would be a good idea to check the Festival web site: (Australian) National Folk Festival to see what camping and ticket prices are like. Most of our local 'Catters will be looking for something less 'tropical' than a "light" sleeping bag (although I will be using one of my light bags ... but I'm a noted lover of cooler climates!). If you are stuck, I usually pack a couple of different weight sleeping bags plus sheeting bags (at least when I'm on my own and have all the available packing space of my Subaru station wagon), so you might borrow either a heavier bag, or a light one to use as an extra cover. I usually camp with a mob of old friends - (mostly) from around Bankstown, where I grew up - and we grab a nice spot with a metal framework over which we tie some large tarps for session cover ... just into the "Fowls" area (the outer camping, not for rowdy late night types ... but still quite handy to the Festival for those not into trekking!). JennieG usually has her caravan just a little closer. I couldn't recommend just throwing out a sleeping bag under a tarp in Canberra (a lot cooler than Sydney and, being inland and higher, with a much greater diurnal temperature range!) ... even with such an early Easter - I don't know if we will have any spare space in our encampment, as I don't run the camp or session ... but I can ask those who do. Regards, Bob |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Bob Bolton Date: 05 Mar 05 - 04:13 AM G'day again Brett ... and JennyO, Hmmmm... that reply took me a while (checking web URLs / making "clicky" / looking at Festival maps / &c) so JennyO has covered some of what I posted. The Early Easter should make for a more benign climate (it's only two days short of the earliest that Easter can be ... the first Sunday after the first Friday after the first full moon after the [Northern Hemisphere] Spring equinox). When Patricia and I married, in 1970, Easter was only two days later ... our wedding was the Saturday before Palm Sunday. Regard(les)s, Bob |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 05 Mar 05 - 04:16 AM That's right since we Aussies sent our troops to |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 05 Mar 05 - 08:34 AM Brett - I've booked a caravan & I'm sure John can fit my new tent & my camping gear in his large car. The tent is a tall 4-person tent that I can stand in, the bed is a suede topped spare bed & I have a sleeping bag that I turned into a blanket by removing the zips. With one of Bob's spares & mine you are likely to be warm enough. summer clothes in the daytime & heavier stuff at night - hoping to see you & Wakana too if her back is up to it. sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 06 Mar 05 - 07:13 AM Bob is mmaking more badges for those who need them - will any more Mudcatters be there? sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 06 Mar 05 - 08:38 AM Bob, I think John (jack halyard) only finished up with a blank badge that we had to write on last year, because it was at the last minute. Do you think you could make him a proper one this time? Jenny |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Charley Noble Date: 06 Mar 05 - 02:55 PM Bret- Hope you can swing this. And if you do we expect a full report. And you should meet up with two of the South Street Sea Port (NYC) chantey gang, Al and Barbara, who are planning to be there as well and have started a separate thread. What cheer, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Patart Date: 07 Mar 05 - 12:36 AM Kate and I will be there looking forward to the singing sessions. p@ |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 07 Mar 05 - 06:29 AM Hi Patart. I don't think I've seen your name before. Where are you from? |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: freda underhill Date: 07 Mar 05 - 06:41 AM i look forward to seeing you all there! its goinna be a good one! |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Patart Date: 07 Mar 05 - 06:50 AM Hi Jenny, Katoomba and we're old mates. I'll PM you. |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: GUEST,SqueezeMe Date: 07 Mar 05 - 07:39 AM I'll be there too! Who? Well, I've been lurking long enough and thought I'd better subscribe, but still can't work out how to log in.... Any advice for a computer illiterate squeezebox repairer? |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 07 Mar 05 - 07:46 AM hello, computer illiterate squeezebox repairer (would you be a friend of Bob's?) Page Up to the top of this thread & click on Membership, fill in the appropriate boxes & then post here as a member sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: GUEST,SqueezeMe Date: 07 Mar 05 - 08:00 AM Hi, Sandra in Sydney, Thanks for the advice. I subscribed a few days ago, chose a Mudcat name and password, etc. Cookies were/are enabled. But have not been able to log in using this name since. So do I still have to complete the entire membership form each time I visit or post? And yes, I consider myself to be a friend of Bob's. Hope he feels the same way... :-) |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 07 Mar 05 - 08:09 AM SqueezeMe - you need mudcat help Mudcat Help post your problem & Joe or one of the clones will advise you sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: GUEST,SqueezeMe Date: 07 Mar 05 - 08:13 AM OK, tried to complete membership form again, but rejected as "Your email address is already in the database! Please use your browser's back button and try again" Oh, well, it's getting too late to concentrate. Will try again another day, or maybe some one can explain it to me at Canberra over a cleansing Guinness or several.... Goodnight, all. |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Bob Bolton Date: 07 Mar 05 - 08:26 PM G'day (GUEST)SqeezeMe, I think that says you are registered ... but your "cookie" may be corrupted ... deleted ... (on a different computer ... >?). Some (very cautiously set up) virus checkers / firewalls won't allow cookies ... or need specific instructions not to delete them. Anyway, try going to "membership" and you should find a path to 'refresh' your membership ... you just state your Mudcat name and retype your password ... and, maybe, all is well. (This also lets you set your cookie on a second machine - say, your workstation, if you are a wage-slave ... for interesting lunchtimes!) If this doesn't work ... well, Sandra's suggestion of Mudcat Help might have the answer. Regards, Bob (Off to the pre-Easter Masterclasses ... Brian Peters on Accordion Accompaniment ... before this year's National!) |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Bob Bolton Date: 10 Mar 05 - 12:03 AM G'day again SqueezeMe (... Hey! You out there?), Did you have any luck 'refreshing' your cookie? Something wiping cookies is the usual reason not to be able to get back with your ID. Anyway, I'll be at whatever Mudcat gathering we decide on (! PM in the Session Bar ... ?) ... and I have knocked out a 'badge' (well, really more of a "tag") for you - as well as one for jack halyard, Foolestroupe (who won't be there?) patart and spindrift. Regards, Bob |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: GUEST,sandra in sydney Date: 10 Mar 05 - 06:34 AM Bob, I'll get Foolestroup's badge off you Sunday & send it to him sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: GUEST,JennyO Date: 10 Mar 05 - 06:53 AM Well, I've suggested 1pm in the session bar on any day, same as last year (see my post on 21 Feb - 08:08 AM, right near the beginning of this thread) and nobody has yet said it isn't a good idea. Then there's Hrothgar's hymn singing session, and the singing sessions every night up in the Restaurant (at least I assume they will be there). Unfortunately it looks like Al (spindrift) and Barbara can't come because of illness, but they may just reschedule their trip, so a badge might be good, just in case, or for when they do come. I haven't heard from Brett (Naemanson) either. He has been posting on his Guam thread, but has not mentioned coming in the last few days. OY, BRETT - ARE YOU STILL THINKING OF COMING? |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 10 Mar 05 - 07:29 AM Mighty nice of you, thanks Sandra... just got the flyer for the Toowoomba Accordion Festival - May long weekend - plan to be there... Robin P.S. if some one shouts in a thread or a chat room will anybody hear them? |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: GUEST,sandra Date: 10 Mar 05 - 07:45 AM depends how many butterflies are flapping their wings. Robin - send me your address in a PM sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: GUEST,SqueezeMe Date: 10 Mar 05 - 08:00 AM Reckon you're right, Bob. Just about everything else I can't make my computer do seems to get blamed on the firewall....Will fiddle some more when I get time, but will masquerade as a guest in the meantime. See you at Canberra. MC PS Did you get my email query regarding an early BMC member? |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: GUEST,sandra Date: 10 Mar 05 - 08:07 AM SqueezeMe - why not post on mudcat help & Joe or one of the clones (admin-type folks) might be able to assist see ya in a few weeks - sandrs |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 15 Mar 05 - 07:59 AM attendees - me, JennyO, JennieG (& Himself), Hrothgar, Bob Bolton, Cloudstreet, Chris Maltby, Canberra Chris, Bruce from Bathurst (or is that Bathurst Bruce?, I can never remember), freda underhill, Jack Halyard, Callie, John in Brisbane, Patart (& Kate), SqueezeMe, a good crowd - any group of Mudcatters is a good crowd any others? Bates from Birregurra? suggested meeting places: The session bar (near the door to the oval?) each day 1pm for lunch Hrothgar's hymn singing Sunday, hours of unaccompanied singing, always fun And some of us will end each night in the Singing Room - Will I break my record of 4.30am?? Will JennyO stay all night again? Will we have a union songs circle with Pat, Kate & other members of the Blue Mountains Union singers again? I hope so. sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 15 Mar 05 - 05:21 PM Only The Shadow knows! |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 16 Mar 05 - 06:42 AM another possible meeting place - Hrothgar & friends will be singing in the session bar each afternoon, 3pm Robin - I expect to get your badge from Bob on Saturday & will send it away Sunday. sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Naemanson Date: 17 Mar 05 - 02:52 AM Sorry about the silence but the week got away from me and the phones were out. I cannot make it. If this were happening in April I might but not this year. Maybe next year or maybe there is another festival I could get to. Sorry guys. Have a great time! |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 17 Mar 05 - 07:25 AM see ya when we see ya at the 2006 National or some other festival in the future sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennieG Date: 18 Mar 05 - 04:42 AM I am off to pack in a few minutes, we are driving to Canberra tomorrow morning. I haven't forgotten my Mudcat badge, it will be hanging around my neck on the other side of my volunteer badge. Let's see.....ball gown, dancing shoes, guitar, singing voice, food to eat, weatherproof coat, warm jumper, books to read, some embroidery and knitting to pass the time until Thursday...I should be right. Cheers JennieG |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 18 Mar 05 - 06:40 AM maybe see ya Wednesday afternoon? sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 18 Mar 05 - 07:51 AM I didn't know when I would manage to get onto Mudcat again, cos my computer crashed. I'm up at my son's place tonight but will be back tomorrow with (hopefully) my computer fixed. Seems my RAM was busted. A quick trip to the computer shop tomorrow and $76 for a new one, and I should be all sorted and working again. Sorry you can't come Brett. I had a feeling that when you didn't mention it again, and with it being so close, that this would be the case. Hopefully you will make it next year. Singing with Hrothgar at 3pm sounds good, as well as our standing 1pm lunch. I'll be around from Thursday afternoon/evening on. Sandra, I'm sure I can manage another all-nighter. I've been practising :-) Woo hoo! Only 6 sleeps to go! |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Callie Date: 18 Mar 05 - 09:12 AM Hi y'all. I haven't visited Mudcat for a while so have only just been reading this thread! Yes, I'll be there, but not sure if I can manage the regular meetings. I'm organising a get-together of the Sydney and Hobart chapters of a project called "Songs of Survival". We have to do a fair amount of last-minute rehearsal for our presentations and also for the Abba Competition (dammit - I have to stop by Ikea and pick up a few allen keys!!). So if I see you all gathered I'll come and join you, but my brain (and body) may be busy 'sorting stuff'. I'm feeling very disappointed that the National Junk Band isn't on the bill. I'm going to miss seeing them terribly. Hope this rain clears up! c |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 18 Mar 05 - 09:22 AM Hi Callie. The meetings are just a suggested time and place for those who happen to be free on any of the days. I doubt whether anyone will be there every day - there's always so much to do! For one thing, I'll be watching the Roaring Forties doing their Tolpuddle Martyrs presentation in the Merry Muse (from 12.45pm) on Saturday. Yes, I look forward to Mic Conway and the National Junk Band too. It is a shame. By the way, did you know that Ukelele Lola died? It was last year, but I only heard a few weeks ago. Jenny |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 19 Mar 05 - 09:59 AM 'Songs of Survival' sounds very interesting, Callie. I look forward to seeing you & the Songs. The Shiny Bums will be in the ABBA concert, too & as I am their No.# 1 fan, I won't be missing that. sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: GUEST,JennyO Date: 19 Mar 05 - 10:40 AM I'm here, but not sure for how long. My computer is supposed to be fixed, but it still seems to be acting strange. 5 more sleeps to go! |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 20 Mar 05 - 09:52 AM Up she goes! Only 4 more sleeps! |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 21 Mar 05 - 06:55 AM 2 sleeps for me sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: freda underhill Date: 21 Mar 05 - 06:59 AM I may not get there til Sat or Sunday, I've decided to hang on here for a bit. Don Hopkins will be performing with Lucky Oceans, and will be there from Thursday. btw, Lola was a close friend of mine. |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 21 Mar 05 - 07:27 AM Sandra, John said he wants to check with you about the time he is supposed to pick you up on Wednesday morning. I think he'll be home from work tomorrow about 2pm. Apparently the weather is a bit nasty in Canberra at the moment - big storm came through. However I looked at the forecast for Canberra, and it looks like it will be clearing up there on Wednesday and the days will be fine and warm till Monday. The nights will be cold of course. Meanwhile, the rain looks like it is going to hang around Sydney for a while yet. 3 more sleeps for me!!! |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: gecko Date: 21 Mar 05 - 07:37 AM Hi Callie and all, Wish I were going too but there's always next year! I'm interested in the workshop you mention Callie - Songs of Survival - could you give some idea of the theme please? I realise that you probably won't have time before you go but I'd really appreciate it sometime later when you've got a minute. Yours in Unity gecko |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 22 Mar 05 - 08:23 AM Refresh again. It's windy and rainy in Sydney. John is leaving in a few hours. I'll be leaving on Thursday morning and in the session bar by Thursday evening. Drive safely everyone! Only 2 sleeps to go. Yay!!! |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Charley Noble Date: 22 Mar 05 - 08:43 AM Take careful notes! And if anyone survives, please report back. Cheerily, Charley Noble, now in the slow lane |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 22 Mar 05 - 09:10 AM I'll do my best, Charlie, but you know how it is with 6 days of Guinness, all night sessions, continuous entertainment and exotic food - I'll probably need a holiday to recover! At least my car will probably survive better than the old one I went in last year. The alternator was falling off by the time I got back last year. Now I have a much better car - a very nice Ford Fairmont station wagon with lots of room, very comfortable and runs like a dream (touch wood). As long as it isn't blowing a gale like it is right now, it should be a pleasant trip. |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 23 Mar 05 - 09:57 AM Refreshing for the last time before I go. John and Sandra are there. Apparently our camp is just inside the entrance to the performers' camping, near the trees and the shower block. The weather in Canberra is improving - there was no rain around 4pm and the wind was dying down a bit. Actually, the weather seems to be improving here too - no rain while I packed the car, which made things easier. One more sleep, and I'm off in the morning. Yippeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!! |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Peter Kasin Date: 23 Mar 05 - 07:16 PM Is Jo Cresswell involved with this festival? Anyone know her? A good musician and dancer from Canberra. Chanteyranger |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 23 Mar 05 - 07:53 PM Hi Peter. I'm leaving for the National in about half an hour. I have been meaning to answer your PM about Jo Cresswell, John Garden etc. I do know of them. I think I saw Jo Cresswell a few years ago when she was performing with Dave O'Neill, although I don't know her personally. I can't see her name on the festival program, but if I do see her I will say hello for you. As for John and Aylwen Garden's band, which is actually called "Earthly Delights" - it is a really excellent band - I love them. They seem to be mainly playing for dances now, so I don't see them all that often. My friend Dot would see them more often as she is into the dance scene, which I am not. I don't know John Garden personally either, but I'll watch out for him. The name Chris Duncan doesn't ring a bell though. John might know them better than I do because he used to live in Canberra about 10 years ago. I'll get him to PM you when we come back. It's a beautiful sunny day, I'm almost ready to go, and my camping spot awaits! Canberra here I come!!! Jenny |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Peter Kasin Date: 24 Mar 05 - 07:42 PM Thanks. Have a great time there, JennyO, and everyone! |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Charley Noble Date: 29 Mar 05 - 04:19 PM Now I realize that Mudcat has been down a lot lately but I'm beginning to worry if there are ANY survivors from this festival. Do we need to send out a Rapid Response Team? Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Bob Bolton Date: 29 Mar 05 - 06:14 PM G'day Charlie, No ... I think we all survived the Festival ... now adjusting the the lesser state of reality. (It definitely happened ... or I'm going to find 15 rolls of blank high speed film at the processors this afternoon!) Regards, Bob |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Hrothgar Date: 30 Mar 05 - 04:06 AM The survivors loved it. Sandra has some photies too. |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennieG Date: 30 Mar 05 - 06:25 AM The worst part was coming back to reality, Sydney and work.....in that order. And the yucky sinus infection I seem to have developed along the way. Cheers JennieG |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Bob Bolton Date: 30 Mar 05 - 07:00 AM G'day again, Well it's nose down to the grindstone in the photo department ... I suspect that 590 photos were slightly more than absolutely necessary for the Festival's coverage ... Now I'm pondering all the DOS commands I should remember to rename the front end of the file names (to fit my filing system) - err... Regard(les)s, Bob |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 30 Mar 05 - 07:54 AM Bob, I put 9 films in for developing today - admittedly one was started in Sydney, but as there is still a film in my camera, it means I really did take 9 films @ the National, which means 9 x 37 pics = a lot of pics. I am sniffling away - at least my cold only started on the way back (there must have been cold germs in JennyO's car) so I was able to sing & sing & sing over the weekend. It was a wonderful Festival for singing - late night sessions, marvellous hymn & shanty sessions, & ballad sessions & I even went to other things like a concerts & a lot of folklore stuff. I also did a lot of socialising & pottering around & buying CDs (8 & I was also given one more!!) & books (Les Barker & folklore) Hrothgar's hymn session seemed to have less session singers & more religious folks than in previous years. Several mentioned that it started during the church service so they missed the beginning. For a while I shared my booklet with a lovely alto who stood up saying "I'm a Baptist & we stand up when we sing" so I said "We're session singers & we sit down". But I did stand up sometimes, cos there were lots of folks standing up. JennieG & Chris Maltby were there cos like me they enjoy a good song There were a lot of beautiful voices in the crowd, many were probably choir members, but I missed the usual suspects from the singing sessions, so when Danny Spooner arrived early for his Shanty session I joined him with the booklet & he added to to 'Amazing Grace' & the following ones. I have a picture from last year's session of Danny & Jack Halyard standing either side of Margaret Walters who has both hands over her ears as they belt out some rousing hymn. The late night sessions ranged from dozens of singers (& listeners) to small groups & included time in the stairwell, the best acoustic venue in the festival. This was the traditional singing site until the Singing Room was established a few years back & is a fantastic place to be with singers packed into evey inch & choruses echoing around the concrete walls. It's also a good place to increase the pain in a sore back & legs, but who cares until later? 'nuff for the moment. I'll get my pics tomorrow & now I can scan (& more importantly, reduce the size of the result) I'll send some off to Jeff asap. sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Charley Noble Date: 30 Mar 05 - 08:58 AM Sandra- Thanks for being more descriptive about the Festival for those of us that care! I promise to provide equally lurid copy of what will happen at the Mystic Sea Music Festival in June. I didn't know that MY cold germs could be transmitted via the WWW, My apologies for posting on this thread last week... Feeling better, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 30 Mar 05 - 09:08 AM Nope, no cold germs in my car, but I did bring back a couple of Canberra flies. They came out today as I was driving. They wouldn't leave, so they are now ex-flies. I don't have a cold, but I did finish up with a good dose of "festival throat", from which I now seem to have recovered. I also seem to have come through remarkably well after 5 nights of sessioning till 5 or 6am. It was certainly worth it though. I don't think I've ever sung so much or enjoyed it so much. I particularly liked the really late night sessions in the stairwell and the session bar. There were some very good shanty singers from other parts of Oz whom I had never met before - particularly a guy called John from Western Australia, and a guy called Robin from Tasmania, as well as Fritz, who is always there, but I never see him anywhere else. We were singing at full volume for hours, so it's quite amazing really that my voice lasted as long as it did - it was just starting to get a bit scratchy around 5am on Monday. Probably the hardest part of the weekend was pulling up all the tent pegs out of the rock-hard Canberra ground. John had put up a very large tarp and secured it with lots of heavy duty pegs. It was a good structure though - big enough for my tent, John's van and all of the Roaring Forties to practise under. The Roaring Forties, with the help of Don Brian and John Dengate, performed the story and songs of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, with the emphasis on the Australian connection. John Dengate spoke the parts of the unpopular authority figures, as only an ex-schoolteacher can do, and was pleased to garner many boos and hisses. It all went over really well. I'm hoping to get them to do it at my folk club soon. Apart from that, there were all the stalls, street theatre and concerts we could handle, but as usual, I missed a lot of the concerts I had intended to get to. You set out to go somewhere, and on the way you run into so many people you know, and end up stopping to chat or have coffee, and all of a sudden, it's 2 hours later - but that is really the most charming thing about festivals. There's so much to do, and not enough time to do it, but in the end you don't care because it's friends getting together that makes the experience really special. So now we get to do it all again on a smaller scale at St Albans festival (Alison's festival) in less than 4 weeks' time. I can't wait! |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 30 Mar 05 - 09:33 AM Oh yes, and some of the performances I did manage to get to, which I really enjoyed, were Cloudstreet, Pete Morton, The Shiny Bum Singers, the Spooky Mens Chorale (don't ask - they defy description), Donal Maguire, Danny Spooner, Kristina Olson, and the Massed Morris. I only saw a little bit of Les Barker unfortunately, but he is going to be at my folk club in April anyway. By the way, I forgot to mention that the weather was perfect - cool mornings, warm and sunny days, beautiful sunsets, and cool to cold and frosty nights with only a tiny bit of rain in the early morning one day (just as I was going to bed ;-)) |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Hrothgar Date: 31 Mar 05 - 04:01 AM I hope you're going to survive until August, Jen. |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 31 Mar 05 - 07:45 AM The Spooky Men do not defy description - they are a magnificant choir, are led by one of our best choir masters & I believe they are members by invitation only. However their website almost defies description!! Spooky Men We are the Spooky Men We dream of Mastodons Practice mysterious handshakes and we can grow beards... if we want to the site includes pictures (including a gig they did in my suburb) ps. Jenny - Fritz is from WA & sings with The Rocky River Bush Band, who are really shanty singers & have toured overseas with Kate Delaney in the lineup, & Robin is from NZ. sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: freda underhill Date: 31 Mar 05 - 07:48 AM the spooky men's chorale - enter if you dare... |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennieG Date: 01 Apr 05 - 01:24 AM I'm sure I will Roger....in past years I know Sandra has brought back a bug from Canberra but this is my first time! Although I suspect it was probably incubating for a while, I work in a school so there are 1000 peoples' germs around. So now I can't sing, can't talk, but I can whisper quite well! Cheers JennieG |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 01 Apr 05 - 04:57 AM 2 Badges arrived safe - Thanks - was away for a while. One for going - and one for coming.... ;-) Robin |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 01 Apr 05 - 07:15 AM Robin - we expect to see you wearing those badges one day - in person or in a photo!! Jennie & Hrothgar - I have a lovely pic of you all dressed up for the Costume ball, I also have lots of pics of everything. I'm not sure when I'll scan pics for Mudcat cos I did my back in Wed night & I can only sit for short periods. I had to cancell out of helping out with 2 concerts this weekend, & 2 neighbours & a friend have offered to buy groceries for me. I'll be seeing my physio tomorrow (14 hours to go, not that I'm counting) & I'm much better than I was yesterday. sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 01 Apr 05 - 08:30 PM I studied back massage for a while - sorry my arms aren't long enough... |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Peter Kasin Date: 01 Apr 05 - 10:17 PM Souds like it was a winner! I saw Danny Spooner when he was at Mystic last year. What a fine singer and nice guy. Chanteyranger |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 02 Apr 05 - 09:15 AM tonight I got to the Pete Morton concert as my back felt sooo much better after my physio attacked (oops, treated) it, tho some of her treatment felt like an attack. I was able to relax over lunch, reading my book, without immediately lying down after I'd eaten. The concert was as always great & Pete will be back next year (hooray) I'll try scaning pics tomorrow afternoon & see how they go. I'll definitely include Danny again. He's included in my members pic, so too is Miguel Heatwole who wrote "The People have Songs" mentioned on the 'I can sing' thread. sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Naemanson Date: 02 Apr 05 - 08:10 PM Where is St. Albans? |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennyO Date: 03 Apr 05 - 03:44 AM Brett, St Albans is northwest of Sydney, about 20kms past Wisemans Ferry, if that means anything. It's only about as far as the Central Coast - only a couple of hours drive, but slightly more inland. It's a friendly little festival, in a very picturesque spot on the Macdonald River (which may or may not have water in it). It's one of my favourite festivals. The Pub and the Barn and the Church are all wonderful buildings oozing with character. We often seem to get lovely sunsets there around this time of year, too. I wouldn't miss it for anything. I even struggled along there one year on crutches when I had broken my ankle. Here's the website which will tell you more: St Albans Folk Festival Are you thinking of coming? |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Bob Bolton Date: 03 Apr 05 - 03:55 AM G'day Naemanson, Our St Albans (there's a Pommie one as well ... ?) is in a small village on the banks of a depression that claims to be the MacDonald River (in non-El Niño years)... about 70 kilometres (~44 miles) NNW from Sydney to a punt crossing (Wisemans Ferry) of the Hawkesbury River, then about 15 kilometres (~ 10 miles) of dirt road - or a different punt crossing and a bit more, but sealed, road up the other side of the river. It's been going for nearly 25 years now - and is a pleasant small festival to unwind at after the big 'un, our National. This year, Easter being fairly early, there is a bit more of a gap that most years, so we'll be fairly unwound by the time we hit Snalbans! Regards, Bob |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: GUEST,Gerry Date: 04 Apr 05 - 02:07 AM For me, the find of the festival was Dolly Putin and the Kazakstan Kowgirls. Think of the Spooky Men, but female, and in cowgirl outfits, and you're just beginning to get the picture. When they were funny, they were hilarious, and when they were serious, they could sing Macedonian with the best of them. I'd like to see them at a Sydney folk club, but they're from Tasmania (or Tasmanistan, as they call it), which is a long way off. |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 04 Apr 05 - 09:37 AM Gerry, phooey, another good act I missed. sandra |
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Subject: RE: Oz Catters meet @ 2005 National Festival From: JennieG Date: 05 Apr 05 - 04:09 AM I saw some of their Sunday night act in the Palladium, they were very entertaining! Amazing outfits too. One band that I would have liked to have heard but missed, except for about 3 minutes, was the New Holland Honeyeaters. When I heard them (while I was waiting in a coffee queue) they were singing an old ragtime song....I like ragtime. "Got a ragtime dog and a ragtime cat, Ragtime piano in a ragtime flat' etc. Cheers JennieG....slowly coming back to life after that rotten illness...even had to take time off work last week (bummer! *grin*) |
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