Not many Mudcatters are Aussie folkies, or the other way round. But I'm happy to organise a gathering of the nautical ones, once I have specifics.

The Loaded Dog can be a little hard to find. If we know you're a definite, i'll ask the organiser if you can have a spot (say a couple o' songs) and then stand out the front and wave banjoes so you know where it is!

There is still a trad Irish session at the Carlisle Castle Hotel on Sat nights. It tends to be a bit exclusive. A lot of people go, but there's a definite in-crowd kinda feel, and also the feeling that you've got to play a certain way or a certain repertoire or else you're deemed to be unsuitable to receive the free whisky at the end of the night.

I'm just back (literally) from overseas travel, Charley. I haven't asked around about a banjo yet. As soon as I find my sea legs as it were I'll get cracking!

Callie