I'll be in Yorkshire October 19-29 for the Captain Cook Maritime Festival. I've been in touch with a very welcoming person at The Jug, "Sue," through a few brief e-mails. She mentioned that there is usually big Mudcat gathering at the Jug at the end of the festival. I look forward to being there and to meeting 'Catters, if a session there is happening that week. What sort of music is played there? I'll be singing chanteys in a few spots at the festival, and presenting a slide show on the SF Maritime National Historical Park, where I work as an interpretive park ranger. I'll also have my fiddle along. I play Scottish and some Irish tunes, but I'm happy to listen in if the music there is different. Since I haven't been there, or to England before, I won't comment on this particular situation, but I will say that I enjoy sessions here at home which are both musical and social gatherings. We have a few sets of tunes, then talk for a bit, then start some more tunes. The house quiets down when there are singers, who the session leader (Shay Black) calls on at several times during the night. Look, whatever the flow of things is at The Jug, I'll try to be aware of it and go with it. I get the feeling that this spat is not a normal state of affairs, and I look forward to a night there.

-chanteyranger