MGAS & Richard to Getaway 2009, advice?

Subject: RE: MGAS & Richard to Getaway 2009, advice?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 05:20 PM

I concur with Jacqui about ground transport, localy in the states. Keep your eye out though thatmay change with the opening local competition with he likes of Ryan Air & others soon to possibility being let into the market.
Check out the trains. AMTRAK handles train transport from & through Portland, DOver-Portsmouth, Boston, Philly, Baltimore & DC. While you're in the North east I can help with your transport needs from Boston & Portsmouth & Back to Boston. We are a 1 car family but I'm retired & we can work around my wife's work schedule. Let us all know how your plans shape & we'll work around you. PM me with any questions, concerns, cares or wants. Good luck.

Chas, I never saw your world tour thread, I'll respond there.

Barry

Subject: RE: MGAS & Richard to Getaway 2009, advice?
From: breezy
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 02:33 PM

go 4 it

Subject: RE: MGAS & Richard to Getaway 2009, advice?
From: My guru always said
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 09:44 AM

Thanks for that Jacqui, that's exactly the sort of thing we need to know about!!!

Sorry you've not had more responses yet Chas, but my query was regarding a very specific time & place so it's probably easier to advise about. Don't forget to refresh your thread!!

Subject: RE: MGAS & Richard to Getaway 2009, advice?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 09:13 AM

I would recommend coming into Boston and using ground transport from there. I have had more problems with flights late or cancelled out of the smaller airports since I moved over here - so much so that I will not use the local airport, preferring to travel to Boston on the bus, which is much more reliable.

Subject: RE: MGAS & Richard to Getaway 2009, advice?
From: Fidjit
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 04:30 AM

Hey Hils and Rich good luck

with my try

I got more respons from Oz and New Zealand.

Still looking for some more replys from o'er t'pond.

Chas

Subject: RE: MGAS & Richard to Getaway 2009, advice?
From: My guru always said
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 04:25 AM

Have just woken up, checked in and found Barry & Jacqui's fabulous offers of hospitality, - thank you both so much, I'll PM later today (Richard's still snoozing). What a fantastic place this MudCat is with the fellowship of the Folk Community streching out hands to help one another, just wonderful!! {{{{{Max}}}}}

As the flight from the UK actually stops first in Philly I'm starting to think that it would make sense to stay over with my Sister on the 24th if at all possible and then fly up to Boston (or is there an airport nearer?) early on Friday 25th. She's used to me being crotchety when I'm tired and it is quite a long flight for us novice travellers. I certainly wouldn't want to impose 'Hils & Richard with Jet-lag' on any gracious prospective hosts *grin* I'd best check with her!

I've had a look at the The Press Room and Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival sites and am really hoping that we'll be able to make this trip. I've got a few sea songs (no shanties unfortunately) which I'll dust off and spruce up a bit!

The current financial situation in both the UK and USA is obviously affecting all of us, so I'll probably wait a month or two before booking tickets despite any 'cheap' offers. Quite a few large UK companies have gone bust in the past month so I don't want to have any problems with Agents doing the same....

Linda and Kitty, thanks so much for your kind words, hope you're both coping with the snow & see/hear you again soon!

Subject: RE: MGAS & Richard to Getaway 2009, advice?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 07 Feb 09 - 05:29 PM

Hillay & Richard, I'm just under an hour due west of Portsmouth & the same distance north of Boston. You are welcome to stay here with us, we love those who can't help themselves when it comes to singing. We have a modest place but we have couch that folds out into a bed & I love to experiment feeding foods I myself haven't yet tried. So as far as you rides from Logan (Boston) to Portsmouth, your stay for the weekend & your ride back to South Station (Boston) for the Train are all taken care of. We can't let those Mainy-acts have all the fun & take all the credit for being the Northern hosts for mudcatters. Besides Mary, Jacqui & company will make you clean their houses out of all the tacky stuff they hord so they can make guests suffer.
The Friday evening of the Maritime fest is the Press Room session which is the unofficial kickoff for the fest which runs throught to Sun eve. So make plans to at least arrive in time if not a bit before & the trains run all days every day down south so it doesn't matter about that part of the schedule. If you end up staying over there are other sessions I go to. Monday is an Irish session in Boston & Tuesday night there's a shanty session in Gloucester. If you do decide to stay you will "HAVE TO GO" to these sessions.

Barry

Subject: RE: MGAS & Richard to Getaway 2009, advice?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 07 Feb 09 - 03:17 PM

Hils - I'd never have guessed you were approaching that significant birthday. All best wishes for your Getaway!

Kitty

Subject: RE: MGAS & Richard to Getaway 2009, advice?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 07 Feb 09 - 03:10 PM

You can always stay in Maine (there's a good bus service from Logan) and travel down with the crew to Portsmouth. I know that you would be loved here.

I'm pretty certain that transport could be sorted out for the Getaway also.

Subject: RE: MGAS & Richard to Getaway 2009, advice?
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 07 Feb 09 - 02:11 PM

Hils they will love you and Richard -you are both fantastic singers.

Subject: MGAS & Richard to Getaway 2009, advice?
From: My guru always said
Date: 07 Feb 09 - 02:06 PM

For several years now I've wanted to cross the pond and meet with MudCatters and US Folkies at the FSGW Getaway. As this is my 50th year and my Sister has been living in Philadelphia for a few years it's about time I visited her. I think I've managed to convince my other half Richard that we should go this year!

Micca has suggested that we also ought to get along to the Portsmouth Maritime Festival the weekend before the Getaway. From Boston we could then take the train down to Philly so that we can stay with my Sister (her birthday is on the 30th Sept) for a few days before the Getaway. As many UK 'Catters know I'll sing at the drop of a hat (so does Richard on occasion) so I'll be hoping to join in with some local Sings if possible too!

I'd better introduce myself, I've created a web-page here:
Hilary Ward
It's very basic but it was a steep learning curve *grin*

I've had a look at flights (in to Boston 24th Sept, out of Philly 6th Oct), which appear to be affordable and do-able, and also looked at the train info. I couldn't find out the ticket prices for the Getaway so I've sent an enquiry via their website. I've tried to find the Getaway 2009 thread (wish I'd traced it) but the Old Adv Forum Search doesn't seem to find it, or anything else at the moment. If someone could refresh it I'd be grateful!

At this point I think we're in need of some good advice and practical suggestions from local Catters before we book flights. For instance, getting to (we're hoping not to hire a car) and finding affordable lodgings for the Portsmouth Festival, how to get to and from the Getaway, what do we need to take to the Getaway, etc, etc.

We'll be grateful for your advice, I really hope we can get along to the Getaway this year, many thanks in anticipation
Hil & Richard