Hi Billybob,

I only poked my head in at the Sailing Club a couple of times--seemed to be pretty heavily instrumental--Irish once and old-time once.

What I really like is the combination of vocal and instrumental--taking breaks, or somebody accompanying songs on concertina, for instance--or totally a cappella with great choruses (as in the Middle Bar).   I was able to rent a viola in Sidmouth and I did wind up playing-- and singing a bit-- with a wonderful concertina player--for 4 hours at the Swan one night. Irish, English, Scottish, Russian, German, World War I songs, Stranger on the Shore etc.---he knew them all-- and liked a low viola harmony. It really was a problem that cloning had not been perfected this year. I wanted to be in the Swan -- (in fact there was a chantey session in the Swan going on at the same time--in the next room-- when I had that 4 hour session--which went by like 7 minutes)-- in the Middle Bar, the Volunteer, the York and Faulkner and on the prom all at the same time--and I never even made it to places like the Theatre Bar this year.

Admittedly, with the weather the way it was, the prom was an overpowering draw.

But at least I didn't miss Silli(er) Songs at the Middle Bar, the March to the Sea, and Gloom and Doom. I try really hard not to miss them--and one of my songs was even rated Very Silly. Jan and I both sang at Gloom and Doom--and even made a few people laugh.

I tried to get into 2 concerts--both sold out--so back to the prom. Can't say it was a hardship.

Sidmouth is just unique-- in the world I think. I try to never miss it--and mostly succeed--since 1996 (with 2 involuntary execeptions)

Where else in Sidmouth did you go besides the Sailing Club?