It was great to meet and hear so many 'in the flesh.' I took French leave as is my usual style. So here's thanks for the warm welcomes by everyone (especially anchors Barry and Charlie). yeah, somehow there wasnt really enough time, oddly. It might be missing some sort of context, though I really can't think what?? Something maybe without singing (GASP!), just some sitting around at a bar or coffeeshop...some official dinner...I dunno. I'm a misanthrope in the world at large and in large groups, but sit me down with a nice cozy crew with nothing but rum and time and I'm a nice enough person with plenty of stories to tell.

Anyway, lots of food for thought after those symposia and seeing the interaction of so many types of audiences. Barry, start a thread and I'll hash it out...!

Overall, the organization was very well done. I guess to be honest, the one thing I could take or leave is the evening concerts. Blasphemy, I know, but strictly personal taste -- i'm not big on sitting in chairs and watching people on stage. I could go for something half-way between the concerts and the pub sing.

Another 'complaint', though not wholly a legitimate one, is just the sheer amount of repetition of songs. At one point where I was walking I could hear "Chicken on a Raft" being done on both sides of me, and at another the same happened with "roll the woodpile down" (replete with the album-style way of singing it).

My favorite part was working the pump-style windlass (3 times), as that's one thing i'd never done before.

Gibb