What a great post, Mary!

I love your line about Mudhook -- "their egos in their pockets"! True, true! The music and the songs are more important than the singers. Mudhook is one of quite a few groups that have come out of the twenty-five years of the weekly Press Room session, where conversation about the songs and the tradition thrives along with the melodies and songs themselves.

Sorry we missed the gathering at Dave and Chris Hallowell's after the concert, but it's 40 minutes home plus wind down time (in this case a wee dram and having more time with ClaireBear) before trying to get enough sleep to head back to Portsmouth for today's festivities.

It would be nice -- very nice -- if the rain restrained itself until after the afternoon's singing in Market Square and the shanty blast, but not a disaster if it happens; there are rain venues for each.

And, from the hardy and adventurous folkies who joined us yesterday, it seems rain alone doesn't keep fans of the festival from coming great distances to join the fun and music.

Wow.

Linn