Max's Thread - UK Escapade

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Micca
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 12:30 PM

There are some Pix of Max at Ash Nr Sandwich on Saturday Here

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Noreen
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 12:56 PM

Thanks micca!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Micca
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 01:53 PM

and a few of Max and other "assorted" Mudcatters Here and others not Mudcatters

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: gnu
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 05:10 PM

Yaaa know... the pics from this thread are not just great. The pics with titles and names are allowing me to put faces to people I have been talking to at the Café for years. It makes this whole endeavour even FAR better. With some pics, I can almost feel the atmosphere. Well done and thanks.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Max
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 05:30 PM

Towersey was the same goodness I've come to expect at the festivals I've been to over here. The barn had a magnificent sing going on and the pub had a mighty fine jam going too. Morris Dancers were dancing in the sunshine as we arrived. Lots of mudcatters there too. Mr. Red, Mike, Terry, Liz, etc etc. Much love. 

After the sing, Mr Red interviewed me for his radio program and I recorded a station ID for him, which was fun for me, cause I'm the guy usually asking for them. 

After the barn sing ended, we got to run around the festival grounds for a bit. Got a bite to eat and checked out the shops and curiosities. A fair amount of weird stuff floating about. Weird puppets, men in dresses and wigs riding motorized refrigerators, faces painted, girls dressed up goth and fancy, crazy instruments being played and sold… I loved it all. 

A couple of more mudcatters down there too which were great to meet. 

Then, Leadfinger Terry Silver drove me to Reading Station. Micca tagged along, but slept through most of the fun. See, if you've ever heard stories about Terry's driving, THERE ALL TRUE. It's manic, high anxiety, speed racer blindfolded sort of stuff. At one point he hit something on my side of the car, going fast, that pushed the passenger side mirror closed. He calmly and casually just asked me to push it back out. While there was some concern for my safety and actually finding the station, all turned out just fine and I am grateful for the ride. Micca helped me find the right platform and bid me farewell and I was off to Ann and Steve, I was off to Wales.

The train ride was lovely. I enjoyed the landscape and comfort of the train. Passed the madness of the Reading Festival on the way out and WOW was there a lot of people there. Tents were scattered a out for miles as the train kept rolling by. 

I wanted to keep this a secret so not to get teased, but I got a bit confused and missed the Newport stop. The station was under construction and you had to open the door yourself, and signs had Welsh on them, and I blew my chance. To add to the confusion, I couldn't reach Anne on the phone, she didn't have my number and she had to rush back home to save the lamb she was roasting me for dinner. 

I got off at the next stop and caught the first train back to Newport which, as luck would have it, was ready to go as soon as I found it. I got ahold of Anne as soon as I got on the train, and they circled back to get me after rescuing the lamb. Lost about 35 minutes and caused Anne and Steve 2 trips to the station was the worst of it all. 

The lamb was perfect, the dinner, the companionship and conversation was great and off to bed for an early start to Llancaiach Fawr Manor. 

Anne and Steve work at Llancaiach Fawr Manor where it's 1645 all the time. They are actors who play out the roles of servants on the stately manor. I went into work with them and got to go through as a patron. It was most impressive and I enjoyed it very much. There was also a dog show (DOG SHOW!) going on outside, so that was fun to see too. Among much else, I saw a Welsh beagle that was almost as handsome as Merle. 

Ned picked me up from there and took me deep into the Welsh countryside and preserves called Brecon Beacon. Lambs everywhere, seemingly roaming free over the stunning green and heather hills of Wales. All the while Ned tirelessly answering my endless questions about life and culture and history of the region. I learned a lot and saw some great views I've been wanting to for many many years. 

From there, he took me into Caldiff, which I later learned is the fastest growing city in Europe. A college town, a holiday destination, a port and an all around bustling city, visually stunning in the old and new architecture.  It was especially hopping because it was a bank holiday Monday. 

Carnival rides, vendor booths, music, parachuting, rescue dog demonstrations… a lot was going on. A lot. Ned knows the city well, and was the best tour guide I could have possibly had. He works downtown at a touch-me science museum and planetarium, the finest of which I've ever seen. He took me for a custom tour on our way back out of town. 

A quiet evening here, giving me a chance to rest and other things, like shave for the first time since last Wednesday at Whitby and post this update. Another lovely dinner from Anne and Steve, more of the same super duper hosts I've had along the way. I am well cared for and feel very much at home even though I'm in a different foreign town and country and home every night. 

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Anne Lister
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 05:53 PM

Just to clarify ... I DID have Max's number, but on the phone and computer that was at the house, and hadn't bothered to take it with me because having heard he was on the train thought nothing could go wrong. And I didn't help matters by the fact that my iPhone was out of battery charge, so Max couldn't get through until it had charged a little in the car. I've never normally dared to go out leaving a meal cooking in the oven and so while worrying at the station about how someone could vanish between Reading and Newport I was also worrying about charred meat and potatoes at home - and the phone number.
On the way back home I managed to log into Mudcat on the recovering phone and was just about to find Max's number when he called - such a relief!
Tomorrow night is the Mudgather, which will be about a dozen strong. And I'm hoping to show Max a bit more of this beautiful part of the country.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Noreen
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 06:17 PM

Hey, gnu- not just you, but I'm learning stuff about other UK catters- I didn't know what Ann and Ned did outside music festivals, before now.

(I was going to say in 'the Real World', but as has just been agreed elsewhere, music-making with friends such as goes on at festivals is very much the REAL world, and what we do the rest of the time merely supports that!)

So glad that you're still being looked after well, Max- this is most definitely a life-changing trip. You're fitting in so much concentrated experience in your visit here!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Dame Pattie Smith EPNS
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 08:02 PM

Splottie and I will see you at Anne's tomorrow night Max - or tonight as it is now. So starts the party in Wales and you are coming to me for tea on Wednesday before the fabled Llantrisant Folk Club. Once been never forgotten!
X The Dame

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Maryrrf
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 08:35 PM

I'm just now catching up on your adventures, Max. I don't post too often but do log on to Mudcat at least once a day - and really appreciate Mudcat being here. I'm so glad that this came about, and that the UK 'catters are taking such good care of you. Did you ever imagine anything like this when you created Mudcat???

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 08:50 PM

Micca, love those pix, esp. the one of Max looking rather pensive or is it just glad of a minute's quiet?**bg**

Max, we are so enjoying your posts. I read them to Rog as soon as you've sent another. I am so happy you have had the chance to do this. What a wonderful, incredible journey!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 09:03 PM

I'm learning so much about our UK Mudcatters! Thanks Max, for sharing your travels with the rest of us. And Micca, the photos are great.

SRS

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Tyke
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 10:03 PM

I don't know if Max was introduced to The Works of Frank Meadows Sutcliffe when he was in Whitby. But as for Photographs and memories of his UK Escapade here is a blue clicky Thingamajiggy

Whitby Harbour points North with the Whale Bones on the West Cliff and the Abbey on the East Cliff. With the Sun Setting at Sea at certain times of the Year. The light is so special in Whitby that no matter how many times you visit you will always find somthing that you have not noticed before.

We only met briefly in the Endevour Max but I hope you get some pleasure from a look at Frank Sutcliffe's Photographs and trying to work out just what you are looking at and just where the Photographer was standing when he took his image.

Oh and the Red Street Lamp halfway up the 199 steps Marks the Harbours Channel for a safe return!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 01:44 AM

I also loved Micca's photos. Some years back Santa Micca sent me a CD of the session at the Barn at Towersey in 2003 - now I have more pics of regulars & other Catters!

Anne and Steve work at Llancaiach Fawr Manor where it's 1645 all the time. They are actors who play out the roles of servants on the stately manor. I went into work with them and got to go through as a patron. It was most impressive and I enjoyed it very much.
Llancaiach Fawr Manor - as Max says, 'tis very impressive!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Anne Lister
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 02:58 AM

Again I should clarify - my husband Steve works at Llancaiach full time. I'm a lowly "relief interpreter", and have other things that I do as well to earn money (like singing, songwriting, telling stories, running workshops, teaching and whatever else I need to do to make sure we can afford to keep going). But it is a wonderful place and well worth a visit - we even had King Charles I come visiting a couple of weekends back!

Weather looking good for this evening, fellow South Wales Mudcatters!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Splott Man
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 10:30 AM

I've plonked a few pics of Max enjoying south Wales here

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Crane Driver
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 10:48 AM

Oh Neddie - what have you done? Not only does your link go nowhere, but when I look for you on Facebook, you're not there any more! Don't say you were just a pigment of our imaginations?

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Crane Driver
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 11:23 AM

Ah - little Neddie has returned. It was only a temporary defenestration.

See you tonight

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 01:04 PM

Can someone remind me where Max will be on Thursday and when do I get him from? I am suffering a dearth of gin and am very confused.

The session is still happening, hopefully there will be someone else but Manitas and me there.... :-D

LTS

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: My guru always said
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 01:45 PM

Oh Ned, you haven't made those piccies Public, I can't see 'em *sniff*

Liz, I've PM'd you, am surprised there's any confusion, the Itinerary seems to be working well, apart from train station confusion! (there had to be a glitch Max, hope that's it)

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Leadfingers
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 02:04 PM

They show fine for me Hils !

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Micca
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 02:12 PM

I suspect I should have warned Max that the Welsh have their eccentricities about station labelling!! and that Cass Newydd was Newport!!! Sorry!
LtS, I am picking Max up to fetch him to the Black Lion, so No problem (I hope) I know you may feel this ais an excessively optimistic view of things but at least he will have someone with him with some knowledge of the vagaries of London's sometime eccentric transport system and how to get around it.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 02:13 PM

Hils The photo album is on facebook. Do you have a facebook account? Are you logged in?

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Jack Campin
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 02:24 PM

Can you put the photos somewhere public, like Photobucket, Picasa or Webshots?

(Nobody's ever given me a good reason why I should put up with the hassle of being on Facebook).

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Art Thieme
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 02:28 PM

Fantastic!
Art

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Noreen
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 03:26 PM

I think Ned has just given you a good reason, Jack! :)

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 03:57 PM

I thought I was picking Max up from somewhere as I am not working... Oh well... best laid plans and all that.

LTS

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: My guru always said
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 04:22 PM

Alas, I'm not on Facebook but I do know that photo albums there can be made 'public' so that everyone can see them. Hopefully Ned will change the setting when he gets back from the MudGather at Anne's!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Splott Man
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 03:39 AM

Please don't blame me for the eccentricities of Facebook.
I don't know why I vanished yesterday, that's their fault.

I'll have another go at going public later.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Splott Man
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 03:47 AM

Update.

My photos on Facebook are set to be viewed by everyone, but I suppose that's just everyone on Facebook.

I don't yet have another online photo account and am a bit busy right now, so please hang on till the weekend when I can put a bit of time to it.

Anyhoo, we had a small but fun gather at Anne's last night, Max was the only one to get to sing as there was too much interesting conversation.

Present were:

Anne Lister and husband Steve
Dame Pattie Smith EPNS
Splott Man
Crane Driver
Sussex Carol
Sian from West Wales
Soup Dragon
JudeL
Guest:Andy & Guest:Marie
and of course Max.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: sian, west wales
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 04:38 AM

Had a great time last night. Wonderful to meet Max and touch base with all the other 'Catters. Many many thanks to Ann and Steve for hosting the evening!

sian

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 05:11 AM

another good place with a very generous freebie photo account is MyOpera where Mudcat has a photo album as do some 'Catters.

sandra

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Tootler
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 05:25 AM

I suspect I should have warned Max that the Welsh have their eccentricities about station labelling!!

For some bizarre reason they want to have the names in Welsh. How inconsiderate of them! [g]

Seriously, Max, I'm sure you'll have a lovely time in Wales. The Welsh are very friendly and it is a stunning country.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Jack Campin
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 05:53 AM

Tootler's point put a question in my head.

Is there anywhere in the US where public signage is in a Native American language?

(Not trying to distract from Max's thread, a short answer will do).

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Max
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 04:57 AM

All my public photos can be found here: http://picasaweb.google.com/MaxSpiegel

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: SussexCarole
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 05:49 AM

Superb time here with Max - just speeding off to the Wail and to deliver Max to Oxford - more when we get back.

Some piccys here: http://picasaweb.google.com/CaroleEtherton/MaxInWales

Over to you all to add details.............

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 03:30 PM

I don't think you are in PA anymore, Toto. This seems to be turning out to be all I hoped and more. Keep the stories and piccies coming, buddy. Love to all the 'Catters.

Mick

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 03:50 PM

I see he's famous enough to have a statue erected on the shore already...pretty good likeness, too!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 10:57 PM

Yes, Jack, there are places like that in the U.S. Many of the reservations and Pueblos and such use their own names for things, from their languages. Though they are the native names, they're usually written in the Latin alphabet.

Max's travels continue to be amazing. I'm enjoying watching from here!

SRS

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 11:14 PM

About Native American signage- well, there's Seattle, Spokane, Snoqualmie, Puyallup, - and that's just in Washington state.

In Alaska, they have Alaska, Alyeska, Yakutat, Eek, Ignigik, Chugiak, Chignik-

Get the idea? :)

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 12:11 AM

There's a place called Eek? I must go there!!!

A gentle session last night, meant we could chat and enjoy each other's company, sing a few blues and work out the best way to get as much of London into a 2hour walk as possible!

Thanks all for being there.

LTS

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 12:40 AM

Thank YOU all for letting us share in this adventure!

(yes, there really is an Eek. Not to mention an Egegik.)

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: My guru always said
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 04:41 AM

Richard & I managed to see Max again last night at LtS's Black Lion session. He's had a few small 'glitches' along the way, but the Itinerary seems to be working well & we're all 'fire-fighting' those glitches to smooth his passage. All Max's Hosts and Helpers have been marvellous and I think Max is getting a quite a variety of Catters to meet, places to see & types of transport too!

Today he has been let loose on the city of London, and is pottering around by himself this morning with Liz's A-Z mapbook. Hopefully he'll get to his lunch appointment and Micca will meet him afterwards (with his carry-on bag) for some guided sight-seeing before catching the right train to get back to us here for tea at Old Keepers (liver & bacon followed by chocolate tart). Leadfingers will be joining us for the rest of Max's trip and is loaning a guitar for Max to use.

Just in case anyone would like to browse photos of Old Keepers, my photopages are here!

This evening he'll have time to repack as there won't be any other time before his flight on Sunday. He might even get to shave!!

Tomorrow there will be lots of time (probably 5 hours total) in the car (good scenery though) going to the Wail at Verwood in Dorset to meet more MudCatters for a couple of hours. Then we'll drive over to Lewes for my gig in the evening, Max & Leadfingers will get a chance to play too!

I'll drive them all back to Leatherhead afterwards and Leadfingers has promised to get Max to Heathrow by 9.45am on Sunday. We'll be sorry to see him go, he's been a great guest here in the UK!
Hil

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Jack Campin
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 05:57 AM

This one of Max's photos is stunning:

three people at Llantrisant

Very effective use of blur/pixelation to make something like an impressionist painting.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Splott Man
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 07:16 AM

That's (L-R) Olli Price, Mick Tems and Tori (mid song), who we hadn't seen at the club for some time.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Mr Red
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 12:44 PM

Thanx 4 the interview - Max.

It will be going out on Stroud FM soon. And if I can find the webspace it will be available on-line soon. Will post when edited and uploaded. It is currently a 7 Mb file but that could be reduced when not for live broadcasting.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Max
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 05:50 PM

The whirlwind continues.

Had an absolute wonderful time at Anne and Steve's, in Pontypool. The mudgather was very enjoyable, filled with warm and bright folks, great food and great conversation. We gabbed so much, we didn't get to any music. It was a welcomed change, to just chat with folks. I enjoyed it very much.

Off to Gower.

I headed home with Andrew and Carol to Gower. They explained the beauty during the drive and Carol lamented the darkness preventing me from seeing it. They warned me that I would merely have to lift my head from my pillow in the morning and look out the window for the proper introduction. They weren't exaggerating.

Such a lovely community, Llangennith, stunning landscapes, the sea, the hills... Amazingness (yes, I'm making that a word).

Carol took me on what turned out to be just about the best hike I have ever been on in my 38 years. Top 2 if not #1. Up, across, down, over and upon the Rhossili Downs, Beach, and Cliffs. Every step, the view just kept getting better. We huffed and puffed our way to the top and back down the other side where the cliffs were. No guard rails, no safety nets, hundreds of feet down and gusting winds. Exhilarating beyond belief. We stopped to have a pint at a pub with a deck right on the edge of the cliffs. Best view of any restaurant that I've ever been to, hands down.

Max2uk10 - Gower

With the day's sightseeing behind us, still dizzy from what I just saw, we were off to Dame Patti's for tea (which means dinner here), then to Llantrisant Folk Club for a floorspot, more mudcatters and more good times. Dinner was lovely, and they had a fiddle player friend, Ross, down from Scotland who's company I also enjoyed very much.

Off to Llantirisant (pronounced: ...I have no idea, the Welsh language eludes my comprehension).

Great folk club, great room, great people. More mudcatters, more great songs and stories I've never heard before and more love. Dame Patti is a hoot and her and Ned really run a great club, very entertaining, loving and warm, a real solid community, which is what it's all about after all.

Llantrisant Folk Club

The next morning, we got all packed up, with Carol and Andrew dropping me off in Oxford to catch a double decker bus into Victoria, London, they continued on to The Wail which I'll be off to after a day in London. Saying a ceremonious goodbye to Wales we re-entered England on the way.

The bus ride was fun, great view, Wifi giving me a chance to catch up on some emails, and just quiet and calm before the big city. I met Micca, after a few laps around the station. It was London rush hour by the time I got there, so it was bustling, and I'm lugging my luggage and looking for a wee man among thousands. Took a little while, but we found each other and were off to Liz the Squeek's house and a session at the Black Lion Plaistow, on the east side of London. Liz was kind enough to feed and lodge me for the night and I am grateful. More of the same goodness I've come to find on my rambles.

The Black Lion was a really cool joint. An old carriage pub with several rooms and a couple of different buildings. Seemingly like a Victorian age truck stop. Pull the horses round back to the stables and pop in for a pint. Very quaint and nicely appointed, very cozy room. Not a lot of folks, but it was a fascinating mix. We had a bunch of Irish session players (top notch who did most of their talking with their exceptional musicianship), mudcatters and blues players. Irish tunes and American Blues, seamlessly interchanging. It was kind of funny, and a whole lot of fun. It was comforting and a pleasure to see Richard and Hils again after my Wales jaunt too. They relieved me of one of my two suitcases, lightening my load for my impending adventure into London the next day.

London ho!

I got up at the crack of dawn and ventured into the city with the commuter crowd. I was on my own, though well instructed by Liz who was kind enough to spend a considerable amount of time with me the night prior explaining to me the transit system and city layout. Her plan was perfect, by the way.

I got off the Tube at the Westminster stop and spent the morning walking up the Thames, crisscrossing over the various bridges seeing as much as I could in the 4 hours I had before meeting a friend for lunch at The George Inn. I did all the tourist things, snapped hundreds of pictures, went up in the Eye, Big Ben, The Globe, The Tower Bridge, just a lovely walk on a perfect day. Had the time of my life, just awesome.

Max2uk10 - London

Had a great lunch with my friend Judd, who I think I may have turned into a mudcatter with stories of my adventure and the characters and kindness surrounding it. Tried London fish and chips, which as warned were not as good as the Whitby Cod, but better than most in America.

Micca met me at the George and got me to Waterloo station so I could catch the train back to Leatherhead in time for tea (dinner). Liver and bacon with carrots, mashed potatoes, asparagus and a chocolate tart for desert. After dinner, Terry and I worked out some numbers together for the spot tomorrow night. Blues guitar with whistle and mandolin accompaniment, this should be interesting.

Off to the Wail in the morning, then a spot at Lewes Folk Club, supporting one of HIls' gigs, so I am very excited to see her perform and to jam with Terry Leadfooted Leadfingers Silver. Then back late and up early again to catch my plane back to the states.

Wow.

So, not much happening here, just the usual...

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 06:26 PM

Oh, is that all...no worries, then!:-)

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 08:09 PM

I've been enjoying your tour, Max

sandra

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Newport Boy
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 03:26 AM

You've been busier that we have since Wednesday, Max. Great to see you at Llangennith, and I'm very pleased you had almost perfect weather for your experience of Rhosili Bay.

Phil

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 04:05 AM

Sorry had to do this


200