I just e-mailed Alan to thank him for the tape and CD he sent me but I am posting my reply to him here as well because I really loved listening to the music. So I wanted to share my thoughts here.

"Hi Alan,

"This might be a postal service record, but I received the tape & CD yesterday, 2nd November. I have been busy and also working full time but I have been able to listen to one side of the tape - the one with Rosbif Waltz on it of course. I love the music. Just my kind of music. Rollicking good fun, great rhythms, and I really love the hurdy-gurdy - both the sound and rhythm of it, and the type of music which suits it.

"I also like your two tunes that you sent me via email. I've listened to them a couple of times so far. I think I like the Winkle one slightly more than the other one if I had to choose between them.

"After I have a chance to hear the other side of the tape and the CD I'll give you some more of my thoughts.

"Rosbif Waltz sounds so different from the way my sister and I play it - slower and with a more lilting feel, and from the way we played it in the music sessions. Alison at Mudcat, who also posted to this thread has put an mp3 (I think) of herself and her music duo partner playing it with harp ( I think), tin whistle and guitar. It's a lovely arrangement.

"I think that that is the major charm of the tune. It can be played in so many different ways and sounds good whatever way I hear it. Slow, fast, with drum rhythm, with accompaniment, solo, as an arrangement, etc etc.

"Thanks again for sending me the music. It really is exciting being able to track back to the roots and branches of the tune."

Helen