This was the fourth Getaway for me and Edmund (CET), and the occasion of my first solo performance as an instrumentalist (i.e., not singing). On Saturday morning I met a remarkable musician, Mia Boynton of the FSGW, who taught me a 6/8 tune called "Reunion" and then cajoled (shoved) me into playing it at the Sunday night concert, supported by her excellent accompaniment on guitar. I have been playing the mandolin for only about a year and did not intend to burst forth quite yet, but somehow it seemed like the thing to do -- and I didn't screw up!

Edmund and I have decided that the Getaway is more like a family gathering than any other kind of social event. We are already familiar with many of the personal quirks of almost everyone in attendance, and each time we see each other we just pick up where we left off. Some very important things get said, and people do things (such as perform) they would never dare to do anywhere else.

I also acquired an elderly but serviceable Slingerland tenor banjo (rescued and rehabilitated by Bearded Bruce Gewirz), thus joining the ranks of those who make plunky noises. The cats don't seem to mind it; I don't know yet what the neighbours think.