N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 08:29 AM

You mean all folk tales aren't true? Next you'll be telling me that Santa Clause doesn't exist!

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Night Owl
Date: 23 Mar 03 - 08:50 PM

Thanks JudeL....fascinating place. SOME day I hope to see it....bg

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Big Mick
Date: 23 Mar 03 - 08:08 PM

Jude.........What the hell do you mean folk tale???????..........And I suppose you walk right past a fairy mound without so much as a tip of the hat to the fairy folk????.........don't you realize that himself, the great Finn used that very causeway...............oh, never mind, I will just have to straighten you out on your history, or herstory if you prefer, when I see you next year............heathens.........have they no sense of place, Lord???

Mick

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 23 Mar 03 - 03:10 PM

Here's a site about it

Giant's Causeway

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 23 Mar 03 - 03:07 PM

It's a natural rock formation that looks for all the world as if it's a giant paved path leading into the sea. There's a folk tale about how it used to be part of a huge bridge linking ireland to scotland.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Night Owl
Date: 23 Mar 03 - 02:45 PM

Wonderful pictures Noreen and JudeL!! Neat smiles on all of you.

btw...what is "Giant's Causeway"?? It's gorgeous.

(Thanks Jeff.)

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Big Mick
Date: 23 Mar 03 - 01:59 PM

And now you have confirmed it for me!! I had every reason to be envious as hell. I will regret not making my reservations earlier for a very long time. But I will be there next year!!

All the very best to all of you,

Mick

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 23 Mar 03 - 11:59 AM

Good pics!!!

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 23 Mar 03 - 10:26 AM

Just to make it easy link to

new pics here

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Noreen
Date: 23 Mar 03 - 06:44 AM

Thanks for the pics, Jude!
In your first picture, in Fiddlers' Green, Alan is wearing the hand-painted silk scarf he had just won in the raffle. Suits him, doesn't it? :0)

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 23 Mar 03 - 03:29 AM

Yet more pics!

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Noreen
Date: 22 Mar 03 - 04:04 AM

Jeff has kindly added my photos to the Mudcat events page: Mudcat Portaferry Gathering

Hey Fib- still working too hard? :0)

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: alanww
Date: 19 Mar 03 - 05:57 AM

Nice photos Noreen - some good memories!

"She looked as fresh as a figurehead ...!"
Alan

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 07:23 PM

Do you take visa Noreen????

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 06:05 PM

Hmmmmmm seem pretty tame to me fair Noreen

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Noreen
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 05:45 PM

Right, I've posted all my pics on my Yahoo site (see link in post immeciately above this one)... or have I??

Still waiting for the blackmail auction...

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Noreen
Date: 15 Mar 03 - 03:39 PM

Scanned the first few in, which you can see here on my Yahoo page for now. Let me know of any errors in captions please.

Will do the rest and send Jeff the link soonest.

What's the latest on the music, micca??
N

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: mooman
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 05:18 PM

I have a few piccies which I'll add once I've captioned them. Nothing TOO incriminating!

moo

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Áine
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 02:13 PM

Upon the suggestion of My guru always said, Micca's theme song for this grand event, Portaferry Mudcats, has been added to the Mudcat Songbook.

I know I didn't ask first, Micca darlin', but I knew you'd be chuffed to see it in there ;-)

All the best, Áine (who's hoping to get across the pond next year to make it to the Second Annual Loughstock!!)

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 01:25 PM

Yes, that could be a nice little earner.....

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Noreen
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 01:22 PM

Could make a fortune for the Mudcat, MMario....

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: MMario
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 01:19 PM

sometime - there should be bidding war on the auction - "for" bids versus "against" bids re: posting of pictures ....

heh-heh-heh

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Noreen
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 01:17 PM

I'll pick my film up from the developers tomorrow and see what turns out... never used Tesco's developing service before, but they have the advantage of being open til 10pm.

I will take cheques.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 11:38 AM

Got anymore piccies? i took a few, but they're not of much use in incriminating anyone. Mostly views of the lough.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 01:19 PM

LF is that last post on the right thread?

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 01:17 PM

Marcus Turner who wrote the chocolate song is a New Zealander and is
supposed to be coming over to UK on tour with a group this year.If I
can get any definate info I will put it up , but Marcus might just do it himself as he IS a Catter.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 01:08 PM

Just before we left Leadfingers was talking to Linda (Mine host) with a view to him having a longer stay next year. She was making "big discount" type noises to him, so it may be worth Fib having a "what if" type chat with Linda to see what sort of a deal she might be willing to discuss.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 01:02 PM

Good idea Jude, let's see what Fib comes back with re. dates - maybe she'll start the thread, what a Star she is :-)

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Big Mick
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 01:00 PM

I will be at that gathering, I am buying the tickets the minute Aer Lingus starts the annual special fares. And I will do some cooking, I love to cook.

Mick

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 12:55 PM

Perhaps we should sart a new thread for the Portaferry Gathering 2004

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 10:40 AM

I'll start making a list Letty!!!

I'll try & help Fib with the organising of the accomodation once we've had a chat. So far it's everyone who was there this year plus Letty. All subject to confirmation by a date which we'll have to set at some point of course :-)

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Letty
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 10:26 AM

Speculaas, mmmm!
Maybe someone at the Groningen gathering can buy some for you?
But homemade is even better of course.
I'd love to come to Portaferry next year, count me in!

Letty

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: GUEST,catsphiddle skiving at work!!
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 09:35 AM

So we are all going next year YEAH!!!!

It would be great i we could a few more people to come along and join in the fun...they don't know what they missed!!!!

I have really enjoyed reading Eric's posts about the weekend and we have more photos to post....just need to censor a few and get the blackmail letters sent out before hand!!!

Cat

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 06:50 AM

Whatever they're called they're wonderful! Perhaps you could put some in your suitcase anyway Mooman, Fib's going to be feeding the 5,000 with them next year, she may need supplementing :-)

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: mooman
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 06:32 AM

Speculoos in Belgium! (Different dialect!)

moo

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 06:29 AM

early morning?????
Homemade speculaas - wonderful, now I'm drooling too *g*

one of your Dutch blokes?????

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 06:21 AM

Ducth? Dutch! Damn this early morning typing!

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 06:21 AM

My guru - it's speculaas - one of my Ducth blokes makes it, an I have the spices for it, so I'll bring some homemade stuff next year.
I read your PM - will reply when I get a chance!
I'll cobble together a web page of info about Portaferry to aid bookings and ease decisions.

Also everyone - we raised £41.40 for Mudcat in the raffle (where Cllr cleaned up!), and about £25 for the Marie Curie hospice. I'll get the cheques off a.s.a.p.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 05:15 AM

I've pm's Fib with exactly the same thought & would like to help with this - we need to get some planning in soon - at least setting the weekend. I'll copy my pm to you :-)

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 04:57 AM

I've just worked out that given that to block book the whole hostel for 2 days costs £750, at a normal cost of £12 per person per night we would need 32 people (staying 2 nights each) for us to break even, anything more than that and we have a surplus. The hostel can hold up to 50. At such relatively short notice there were 18 booked in, with more time to plan (& save pennies) do we think we could get 32 or more to make it worth booking the whole place?

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 04:50 AM

yes that was silly wasn't it *g*

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 04:37 AM

BTW I think the couple were slightly stunned at how fast that bottle went.... but then they did say help yourselves to a bunch of folkies

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 04:35 AM

I seem to remember it being Beech Leaf Gin, and the chocolate song I sang is by Marcus Turner, an australian I believe.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 04:00 AM

Mooman: Very glad that you've earned your lesson - so next year you and the lovely Lady McMoo must come to Portaferry weighed down with the best remedy (Jude's song in my ears)!! May I also place a request for those lovely little biscuits 'speculoos' or some such name - I usually raid the supermarkets in Belgium for them.

Raven: I can't believe that you've managed to get to your age in your household without knowing at least one song backwards - music must be in your genes surely!! You must get sorted for next year & don't forget to pass your test :-)

The couple who joined us in Barholm on Saturday night were Pat & ?? & I've sent a piccie to Micca for onward sending to Pene. They sang some very funny songs & kindly brought a fine bottle of their homemade gin (?? Tree Gin) which went down very well indeed. This is probably why I can't remember much of Saturday evening *g*

If I can get my back sorted out (probably an op) I'll work on improving my massage skills throughout the next year - despite reciprocation we can't leave all the hard work to Cllr can we? So Jude, please lay in stocks of that chocolate scented massage oil ready for the next Loughstock!

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Raven "Where's my pint"
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 07:51 PM

(^_^) think i need to find out what that tune is, cause be good to hear what that songs suppose to sound like micca.

can see its as good as agreed this is gonna happen again, which is cool ... gotta see about learning some of these songs ya'll sang ;)

i'd love to know what that was we all finished off on the Saturday, ack wish my memory wasn't so back ... think it was some homebrew Rum, wish i could remember the names of the nice folks who shared it (^_^)
they were pretty cool too, with some funny songs ... wish i had the staying power to have stayed up til god knows when with all of ya'll but 2am was my limit ;)

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: mooman
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 07:24 PM

OK, OK! I've learned my lesson. Please forgive me! There will be full supplies of belgian chocolate available at the next Loughstock!

Love

moo

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: momnopp
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 06:23 PM

Oh, MAN! I missed the chocolate scented massage oil disappearing into smiling people singing about vile black stuff????? Or something like that...

You can bet I won't miss another of those!!!!!!!

Looking forward to an opportunity to meet you all,

JudyO

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 06:06 PM

Well explained Jude dear, er, was it chocolate scented??? I must admit there didn't seem to be a lot of Belgian Chocolate around despite all our previous requests!!!!

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 04:40 PM

No Eric, it was cllr's port and my chocolate scented massage oil that kept disappearing and a variety of people then reappeared with smiles on their faces. Copious amounts of the smooth black stuff also kept disappearing along with people's ability to focus the next day, but perhaps the less said about that the better.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 04:18 PM

Hil, believe it or not, I have enough bottle tops to make about 4 big jingle sticks-well Skip says he "wants a big one". I've just got to be totally bored enough to do it!

Sinsull. You've obviously got it wrong! And I hate to correct you in public (me and Skip do corrrection in private!! Ask Alanww) But next year you need; Green wellies and camo-flage (deliberate spelling)suit. I told you the sheep are there, but hiding in the sprout stalks! Don't bring Asprin-the parrots eat em all (Paracetamol-old joke!) You do need to bring a size Double D cup bra, an out of tune bodhran, and a "mountain" green suit.As for your arse- if you leave it at home it will be safe, because you can't have your cake and eat it!

As for the port and massage oil-My Guru should explain that combination, but I warn you-if you get massaged, and drink port, you will have disappeared by the Sunday morning!!!!(Others have! and only re-appear in the ether!)

So if you're silly-sorry, brave enough to do it. Me n Skip will welcome you with open arms next year!!!

Ps bring your friends! Because you will neeed witnesses for the truth.

Cheers

Eric