And here, as promised, the poem. After reading it in Assen, I added a line or two - I marked them here in blue:
To Letty
In the northernmost town of the Netherlands Came together a big number of musical friends
On the first weekend of the month of May In the year of the Lord twothousand and thray
We came together because Letty - A young lady who is very pretty -
Wrote on the Mudcat: "Come together! I will organize a Euro MudGather!"
From Germany, Belgium and the Juu Kay To Groningen we all made our way
One rode on the bike, some on the train, Some came by car, and some by plane. When I to the Deliplein did come Letty gave me a hearty welcome.
She did also wash my cycling shirt which was full of sweat and full of dirt
Some of us did stay at your brother's place Which will be known as Hotel Willem's Palace
The place is full of many mooses In every shape and for all uses.
In the evening we were in a pub To make music, to drink and for the grub.
We played the whistle, guitar and the mandolin, Sung, listened or tuned the violin. Each night at Willem's before falling asleep Greg and Eric were discussing the advantages of sheep
Saturday morning Letty tried to find Her watch that had hidden behind
The computer where Letty it found After moving all the furniture around.
She also found money plenty Of the old Guilders a note of twenty.
In the afternoon by a guide we were shown The important places of Groningen town.
At the Cleopatra, two students, one of each gender Cared for our thirst by playing bar tender.
The one was Willem, Letty's brother And a friend called Monique was the other.
Again there was music and many a song We had much fun many hours long.
I detected with a very big grief That Wilfried is a little thief
I told him of this poem, and after short time He had written and told his own little rhyme
Wolfgang did have luck too bad For Saturday night he got no bed
He tried every hotel and hostel in town In Willem's kitchen he was thrown.
On Sunday morning a big bunch Of us went to Letty's parents for brunch
For which we are very grateful I can say after having a mouth full
The food prepared by Abe and Janny Was easily enough for twice as many! On Monday morning when I went to unlock My bike I got a mighty shock!
It was leaning there against the wall and was not locked, not locked at all!
At long last now I am back home safely After cycling through Holland and Germany bravely.
I think I speak for Wolfgang and Susanne, For Frank and Iris and Ute und Anne,
For Erik the Viking, Skipjack and Ken Herma, Wilfried, Ron and Glen,
And for the Dutch group's every member, even if th names of them I can't remember
Also for Lady McMoo and Richard And of course for myself, that is MudGuard
Thanks, Letty for the splendid organization You are the pride of the Dutch nation!