 sj |
||
|
||
OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
|
|
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Charley Noble Date: 09 Sep 03 - 08:43 AM JennieG- Well, "Cockle Bay" does have a nice warm sound to it! But to be more specific, how would the woman who work at the Fish Market be referred to by their male counterparts, as the Fish Market girls, some company name, or some other slang? Hrothgar- 3 to 4 days from Cairns to Brisbane! Is that the express run? Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 09 Sep 03 - 09:16 AM Hello, Charley As one of my colleagues is a member of a family well known at the fish markets, I'll see if he knows. He spent many an early morning unloading fish from trawlers, now he keeps far more respectable hours! sandra |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Bob Bolton Date: 09 Sep 03 - 10:18 AM G'day Charley, Express train ... ? Queensland ... ? I'll dig out and post a song: On The Queensland Railway Lines (written by the Brisbane Realist Writers Group .. all of them! ... to the tune of Der Schwabische Eisenbahn! Regards, Bob Bolton |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Charley Noble Date: 09 Sep 03 - 05:35 PM I knew we could provoke a few more songs, enough to keep this thread from slipping below the line! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: ON THE QUEENSLAND RAILWAY LINES From: Bob Bolton Date: 09 Sep 03 - 09:20 PM G'day Charley and Brett, I promised a couple of songs to inform your fantasy of taking the Queensland Railways from tropical Cairns to the civilised (and vastly more temperate) clime of Sydney. On the Queensland Railway Lines Repertory of the Wynnum North Junior Greenhide-&-Stringybark Orchestra Tune: German Folk Tune (Schwarbische Eisenbahn) On the Queensland railway lines There are stations where one dines; Private individuals Also run refreshment stalls. Chorus: Bogan- Tungan, Rollingstone, Mungar, Murgon, Marathon(e) Guthalungra, Pinkenba, Wanko, Yaamba - ha, ha, ha! Pies and coffee, baths and showers Are supplied at Charters Towers; At Mackay the rule prevails Of restricting showers to males. Chorus: Bogan- Tungan, Rollingstone ... Males and females, high and dry, Hang around at Durikai, Boora-Mugga, Djarawong, Giligulgul, Wonglepong. Chorus: Bogan- Tungan, Rollingstone ... Iron rations come in handy On the way to Dirranbandi; Passengers have died of hunger During halts at Garradunga. Chorus: Bogan- Tungan, Rollingstone ... Let us toast, before we part, Those who travel, stout of heart, Drunk or sober, rain or shine, On a Queensland railway line. Chorus: Bogan- Tungan, Rollingstone ... Notes from The Queensland Centenary Pocket Songbook, Federation of Bush Music Groups, Brisbane, p. 53, Pub. Edwards & Shaw, Sydney, New South Wales, 1959: Reference to the introductory pages of the Queensland Railways Timetable for Long-Distance and Country Trains will confirm the unflinching accuracy of this grim little song. The translation and versification were made by members of the Brisbane Realist Writers' Group. Notes from The Second Penguin Australian Songbook, Bill Scott, p. 189, Penguin Books, Ringwood, Victoria, 1980: This entertaining and catchy song was written at the home of John Manifold in the late 1950s. John had translated a German folksong about a little railway into English, and someone suggested that it would be fun to write a song about the local equivalent. A train timetable was obtained, and a search made for stations with odd and interes- ting names for inclusion in the song. Most were eventually incorporated. The details about refreshment and. bathing facilities were all too deadly true at the time; and as the Queensland Railways are traditionalist in habit and nature, the chances are that they are still the same. I am not sure if all these stations are still open, for some branch lines have been closed for economic reasons, but I know that the list of strange place names has hardly changed. For instance, very close to Giligulgul are (or were) Gulugaba and Wubagul. There was even a tiny waiting shed beside the tracks between Barcaldine and Longreach called 'the 832½ Mile'. These words were composed by the team of writers present and fitted to the German tune, with its delightful locomotive-like beat, and so a new song was born. It has remained tremendously popular ever since, and has even been included in an anthology of poetry intended for study in schools. As you are unlikely to recall the tune to Schwarbische Eisenbahn, I will post a MIDItext version from home ... after I have set it into my music program. Charley, if you want to sing these songs ... all the way from Cairns to Sydney ... I can e-mail a PDF images of the "song sheets" created in my program. The Wild Beaudesert Train Some bards have sung the isles of Greece, and some the summer rain, Fill high the cup with wine! I sing the wild Beaudesert train! Some sing the gees on Ascot course and some the spring's sweet reign But I, in keenest wine, I pledge the wild Beaudesert train. Behind us drops the smoky town, the pubs, the City Tower. We thunder out to Dutton Park in under half an hour. Tonight we seek no amber ale, nor pause to boil the billy As limned in fire and black with smoke we roar through Yeerongpilly. And now we yank the throttles wide, the furnace fires gleam As Cooper's Plains goes flashing past, a phantom in a dream; The metals sing an angry song, the clanking pistons strain, And cowering people cry, 'Behold! The wild Beaudesert train!' We take on corn at Waterford and logs at Logan Village, Lord knows what at Cedar Grove, and crops of Woodhill tillage. Now wilder, wilder glows the pace as drunk with speed and power We thunder round the Veresoak Bend at seven miles an hour. Black smoke leaps belching from our stack, a roar affrights the ear And far across the blue-gum flats pale farmers blanch with fear. And darkies sing their babes to sleep with threatening refrain, 'By Cripes! He come and gobble you, that wild Beaudesert train!' But crowd on canvas! Stoke her up! For wingéd Gods are here; We pass the sawmill like a streak, a sort of smoky smear. The wheels fly off, the boiler tubes are busted up and broke, We dash into Beaudesert town, a storm of flame and smoke. And still the grey-beards tell the tale, and swear by all the powers We made the run from Melbourne Street in under seven hours! Yea, down the years they hand the yarn and chant the wild refrain, 'By George, those days 'twas hard to beat the wild Beaudesert train!' Notes from The Second Penguin Australian Songbook, Bill Scott, p 181, Penguin Books, Ringwood, Victoria, 1980: Garry Tooth, an original member of the Moreton Bay Bush Music Society, was once holidaying at a resort near the Lamington National Park in south-east Queensland. This poem was pasted to the wall of his bedroom. The humour and the wry comment it makes about the speed and comfort of the Queensland Railways appealed to Garry enormously. This becomes understandable when you realize that the town of Beaudesert is only about 100 kilometres from Brisbane! Garry realized that the r tune for the folksong The Lachlan Tigers fitted the words beautifully, and also that the driving rhythm of that music suited the words and sentiment of the poem, so he married the two, and often sang it with great success in public performances. I have tried to trace the poet, but in vain, and if he is still with us, would like to apologize for using his verse without his permission. However, the song is too good to omit. The tune to should be in the DT ... but I can post to this thread if necessary! Regards, Bob Bolton |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Naemanson Date: 09 Sep 03 - 11:20 PM I've been checking around and found a flight from Guam to Cairns. Now I have to figure out how to get from Cairns to Sydney. The train would be fun. Bob, what is the fare? You said it would cause a sharp intake of breath. Are there websites for Australian airlines? |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Bob Bolton Date: 09 Sep 03 - 11:51 PM G'day Brett, go to this Yahoo site for both Qantas and Virgin ... and car hire: Qantas& Virgin airlines and some Car Hire or go straight to Qantas: Qantas. Qantas did once start of small, rural and Queensland ... (Queensland And Northern Territory Air Service - but that was a long time ago! I think it might have been Hrithgar that mentioned train fare ... but he's probably right! (Last time I went by 'bus ... full of Illawarra Folk Club / Wongawilli Band members going to the National Folk Festival - back in 1990!) Regards (and see you next month ... XX/ \XX, Bob |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Bob Bolton Date: 10 Sep 03 - 02:40 AM G'day Charley, JennieG noted: "The original name for Darling Harbour was Cockle Bay, if that helps." Strictly speaking, Cockle Bay is the southern end of Darling Harbour ... where all the Darling Harbour tourist and commercial development (Harbourside Festival Market Place!) is. The James Craig moors in the real shipping harbour, which is correctly called Darling Harbour ... and the Fish Markets are on the nor-east side of Blackwattle Bay. I haven't bought my fish supplies from there lately, but the Markets are made up of lots of small, private - and largely Mediterranean-owned shops. I couldn't really say I know of a generic name for the workers, male or female ... not in English, anyway! Regards, Bob Bolton (Sorry Hrothgar ... "Hrithgar" is Hrothgar when he forgets his cookie ... or I forget how to type!) |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Hrothgar Date: 10 Sep 03 - 05:30 AM Link for Queensland Railways: http://www.traveltrain.qr.com.au/ Link for New South Wales Railways: http://www.countrylink.info/ You can use those to plan your schedule (and work out a few fares) I have to work on these blue clicky things. |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 10 Sep 03 - 08:19 AM Sorry, folks I wasn't at work today so I have no info from my friend John, member of the famous Arena family, one of the famous Italian family companies which ARE the Sydney Fish Markets. I have info from Canberra Chris & it looks like you can have 30 mins between you. Will Judy be joining you? sandra |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Charley Noble Date: 10 Sep 03 - 08:27 AM Bob- What wonderful train songs! They clearly right up there with Utah Philips' "Starlight on the Rails" and the Carter Family's "Railroading on the Great Divide." They also confirm my suspicions about the delight of such travel, as a mode of getting from one place to another. Study them lyrics carefully, Brett, or we may be compelled to launch a new version of "Charley's on the MTA" at The Loaded Dog. And with regard to the Sydney Fish Market, I do know exactly where it is in terms of longitude and latitude. We used to walk by it on our way downtown when we were in Sydney two yars ago. However, I did an inadequate job of collecting the cultural information required for refitting one of our dockside songs to the Fish Market area. With the help of our genial hosts, the Horvaths, we did a much better job over at Woolloomooloo. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Bob Bolton Date: 10 Sep 03 - 09:24 AM G'day Charley, The Queensland rural railway lines embody everything that was implicit in the Australian application of the term "pioneering standards" in the railway world. For starters, they are running on narrow gauge: 3' 6" (1067 mm) ... in New South Wales we have standard gauge: 4' 8½" (1435 mm) ... and, as you cross south into s(t)olid Victoria the gauge rises again to broad gauge: 5' 3" (1600 mm)! The Queensland narrow gauge doesn't allow anything like express speeds (although they do manage a bit better speed than Tasmania got out of their narrow gauge ... the intercity express - The Tasman Limited (very!) did Hobart to Launceston (~120 of those old miles ... about 193 kilometres) ... in 5½ hour, just ½ hour better than the "slow" service! Queensland rail may be an adventure, but it is one that needs a long, leisurely visit to savour its delights. Sandra's contacts with the Arena family might manage to winkle out the right slang terms (of the fish market girls) for you ... skitch Sandra off to do some research! We have at least on local folksong drawing on The Ship That Never Returned (as does Charley on the MTA or The Man Who Never Returned) ... but ours is about a bunch of boozers waiting for a timberman to come back and spend his next pay cheque. Regards, Bob |
|
Subject: Tune Add: SCHWABISCHE EISENBAHN/QUEENSLAND RAILWAY From: Bob Bolton Date: 10 Sep 03 - 10:08 AM G'day again, Charley: Here is the MIDItext version of the traditional German tune (Schwabische Eisenbahn) used for On The Queensland Railway Lines (so you have something to while away a couple of slow days!). You can use the Mudcat program to turn this into a playable MIDI file, so you can get it right.
This program is worth the effort of learning it. To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here
|
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Bob Bolton Date: 11 Sep 03 - 01:54 AM G'day again Charley, I'm not sure what I was on 4 weeks back, but I just noticed that I said: ... My G/D Lachenal is only a 22-key model ... standard diatonic "bush concertina" plus a G#/A# key on the top end of left hand 'C' row and a C#/D# button at the top end of right hand 'C' row. ... ... errrr ... I seem to have been describing my G/C 22-key Lachenal, not my D/G, which is in a standard, basic 20-key form ... no semitone keys, and so probably not much help to a player of 30-key instruments (although I had been discussing some cunning button additions by maker/repairer Richard Evans). Regards - and we'll see you in November! Bob |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Hrothgar Date: 11 Sep 03 - 06:40 AM Bob, You might not have been keeping up with tilt train developments. The journey between Brisbane and Cairns is 24 hours 55 minutes over a distance of 1,681 kilometres. That is just under 70 Km/h including a hell of a lot of stops. The tilt train is actually capable of 160 km/h in service, and something more when they are playing with it. Yes, on a 3'6" gauge - specially engineered to take it. |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Charley Noble Date: 11 Sep 03 - 08:48 AM Hrothgar- Thanks for the train update from Cairns to Brisbane. That's almost a reasonable time for the journey, and I do love the name "tilt train." I conveys a graphic image of just what's happening as it attempts to negotiate some of the hairpin turns along the ridges and valleys of the coast. So, Brett, are you game to ride the rails? Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 11 Sep 03 - 09:12 AM Brett - Virgin airlines (blicky way above) is new to the Oz market & has lots of cheap flights. Hrothgar has not frightened us with train fares (but don't forget the $AU is somewhere around 2/3 of the $US). www.rba.gov.au - (Reserve Bank)- has monthly conversion rates. sandra |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Naemanson Date: 11 Sep 03 - 07:30 PM I checked the site for the trains (http://www.traveltrain.qr.com.au/) and they have an 8 day rail pass for only $550 $AUD. That coupled with a $440 plane ticket seems to fit the bill. So, despite the musical warnings to the contrary, I guess I will get around on the train. |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Charley Noble Date: 11 Sep 03 - 08:20 PM Well, Punchenello, you're really signing on for true adventure. What spirit, what courage! Now if we can only convince some friendly Aussies to set up emergency stashes along your proposed route or hospitality tent whistle-stops. It does look like you should spend at least a day in Brisbane. The only rail I've been worried about is the one we'll be riding after we sing our songs at The Loaded Dog, as we're paraded down to Circular Quay. Is there still such a tradition in Oz, with the tar and feathers? Bob- I must examine your pack of concertinas more closely. They do sound intriguing. Are/is the Roarin' Forties doing any gigs in November that we should know about? Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Hrothgar Date: 12 Sep 03 - 04:53 AM Let me know any Brisbane stops. |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Naemanson Date: 14 Sep 03 - 07:19 PM At this stage I think my plan is to fly into Cairns, jump the train and head straight for Sydney. That will get the big travel time out of the way. Then, after some time in the south I'll make my way north again. I'd like to see some of the interior as I head north. With the rail pass I'll be able to wander as I wish. Anyway, Hrothgar, you can expect me in Brisbane at some point. I will have a clearer itinerary as we get closer to the travel dates. |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 15 Sep 03 - 09:44 AM Brett - the famous Poms from Oz who toured UK earlier (there is a thread somwhere about their tour) live in Townsville & I'm sure Hrothgar would have other contacts for Nthn Qld folk clubs Time passes & Nov approaches! sandra I've just returned from the Jamberoo festival - I travelled with JennyO & sent time with JennyG & Bob Bolton. It was a great festival, spoiled only by huge winds, which got so bad on Sun night that the fna concerts were cancelled & the big marquees were taken down (in the pouring rain!) The only thing left standing was the huge circus tent, but thye session continued in the pub till all hours & was not stopped by the continuing storm & consequent blackout. We just thought Mine Host was saying "Time, please (Ladies &) Gentlemen" when the lights went out, until he appeared with a candle & torch. It was a great festival & I finally met the West Oz band Loaded Dog & hope to have them at the Dog next year. |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Charley Noble Date: 15 Sep 03 - 11:58 AM Sandra- Ah, I just noticed your post above that Brett and I have 30 minutes to play with at The Loaded Dog. What joy! My wife Judy will be in attendence but will not be performing that night. She'd feel more comfortable doing that at one of the more private parties, perhaps gracing the company with one of her wondefully warped songs or stories. Now both Brett and I are strong singers but we'd like to know whether we will be working with or without a sound system. If we're working without a sound system and the space is typically noisy, that will dictate more shanty shouts rather than ballads. Could you clarify? Brett- sounds like you'll need more than an eight-day railpass. Judy and I just confirmed our major reservations and we'll email you our itinary. The week after The Loaded Dog we're leaving open for Sydney fun and frolics. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Charley Noble Date: 15 Sep 03 - 04:30 PM Here's our schedule as it looks now: Depart Portland, ME, Tuesday, 3:25 pm, 11 November Arrive Sydney, AU, Thursday, 8:15 am, 13 November Depart to Cairns, AU, Saturday, 15 November and arrive 10.50 am; van to Port Douglas Depart from Cairns to Sydney, AU, Thursday, 20 November and arrive 5:30 pm Depart from Sydney to Newcastle area Saturday, 29 November Return from Newcastle area to Sydney Wednesday, 3 December Depart Sydney, AU, Thursday, 3:15 pm, 4 December, and arrive in Portland, ME, Thursday, 10 pm, 4 December Amazing, it takes us less than 7 hours to reach home! When I and my wife return to Sydney on November 20th, presumably joining up with Brett, we'll have over a week to rattle around in that fair city. Then Judy and I scuttle off to the Newcastle area to visit with our nephew's new family, and graze the vineyards of the Hunter Valley. I'd still like to connect with Newcastle folks for a song party if possible. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Bob Bolton Date: 15 Sep 03 - 11:53 PM G'day Charley, The Loaded Dog is an acoustic venue ... no electric amplification - and excellent acoustics (formerly wasted on boring alderpersons!). (And we have marked the acoustic "sweet spot" with intersecting strips of "gaffer tape".) The audience is an appreciative acoustic audience ... they listen hard if necessary - and sing loudly when that is appropriate! (Sandra may not have got back in ... Mudcat keeps vanishing - maybe ASIO keeps tripping over the tapping cables! [I should post John Dengate's old song ASIO - The Political Asylum!]. Anyway you won't need to wear out too much of your vocal chords at the Dog. Regards, Bob Bolton |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Amergin Date: 15 Sep 03 - 11:59 PM boy...sounds like you all will have a cracking time....wish I could be there....the gods only know when I'll be making it there... |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 16 Sep 03 - 08:58 AM Charley - sound system & the Dog! NEVER! The only time the Dog has been plugged was when we had to use the larger back hall earlier this year while the proper hall was being painted. The Dog is the best acoustic venue in Sydney (& Oz according to my Qld friends). Have a read of our website - www.loadeddog.live.com.au - there are even a few pics there, one of the 40s in action in front of our wonderful banner. Our webmaster Chicky made it (she is multi talented!) & is also seen in the pic of Touchwood with Callie (Chicky is in the middle) sandra |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Charley Noble Date: 16 Sep 03 - 05:02 PM Well, I'm certainly looking forward to singing from one of them "sweet spots," and peeling the paint off the walls if I can with a sea shanty or two. Brett and I will probably back each other up, assuming that we're reasonably in synch after all these months. Helen- Any further contact with Newcastle folks? Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 17 Sep 03 - 09:07 AM Newcastle Folk Club website http://members.ozemail.com.au/~ncfolk/about.html On the ground floor of the Neighbourhood centre there is a small room which can be used for practicing. So can the singing session the night before. sandra |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Charley Noble Date: 17 Sep 03 - 09:21 AM Sandra- "So can the singing session the night before." There are at least two interpretations of what your suggestion could mean. ;~) "Can" could mean "put a stop to or cancel" but more likely you mean a singing/practice session would be welcome at the Annandale Community Centre on Friday evening. And we might also do a song party at John's house on Sunday, and really wipe everyone out. I really like the idea of jumping right in with singing starting Friday. What do you think, Brett, assuming you make the train and the train makes Sydney? Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: JennyO Date: 17 Sep 03 - 11:15 AM Yes definitely a song party and BBQ at John's and my place at Earlwood on the Sunday. We're planning on it! We're thinking of starting in the afternoon and going on till whenever. We have a nice big backyard that is just crying out for a big bunch of folkies, and when we go inside later, we can make music in the living room with the model trains and the landscape going all along the wall. As I sit here, there is a mine, a trestle bridge and a waterfall overlooking my computer. That big John Warner voice is as powerful as ever, and we're also working on some stuff to do together. My mandolin playing might hopefully be almost up to speed by then, too. We're having our first session here on Friday week to start the housewarming process, and also to celebrate my birthday. We hope this will be the scene of many happy gatherings in the future. Looking forward to your visit! Jenny |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Charley Noble Date: 17 Sep 03 - 11:32 AM JennyO- Sounds good for Sunday. We'll have to brush up on some archane train songs, or maybe we'll just sing some of our regular rail/sail songs.;~) Of course, we'll have to bring something appropriate to barbeque. Do you do dead animals or is this only insects or plant life? Brett and I have been known to consume almost anything. Judy has an aversion to spiders. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: JennyO Date: 17 Sep 03 - 01:17 PM Yes, we do dead animals, as well as anything else people want to cook. Hates spiders, huh? I think we might be able to come up with a song or two for the occasion (cackles wickedly to herself). How does she feel about bunyips? Jenny |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Charley Noble Date: 17 Sep 03 - 04:55 PM Bunyips? Well, the little ones aren't really much of a problem. Around here we use their cousins as bait while trolling for Sea Bass. But I understand that you've got some of the largest and most stupendous of the species. You'll not find me walking on your mudflats late a night. No way! Judy's pet name for spiders is "ecckks." Things that have more than eight legs and crawl are "ecckk-eccks." You know, it's real hard to sneak up to a napping wombat when your partner keeps emitting sounds like that! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Bob Bolton Date: 17 Sep 03 - 10:27 PM G'day Charley, Did we mention that Australia also has the world's deadliest spiders? (But they worst ones [atrax robustus and atrax formidabilis] for stay north of the Harbour ... say from North Sydney, through Hornsby and up as far as Brisbane.) By comparison, Redbacks (cousins of the Black Widow Spider), are pretty tame stuff! Regard(les)s, Bob Bolton |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Naemanson Date: 17 Sep 03 - 10:48 PM Spiders! Insects! Deadly creatures! I've been reading Bill Bryson's book and he goes on at length about the various deadly creatures that inhabit Australia. As for parties and barbecues and all, count me in! I'm sure I can see my way through pretty much anything you can dish out in that arena. |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 18 Sep 03 - 08:56 AM Charley - the singing session the night before the Dog won't be at the Dog (that costs money!) but at someone's place. Someone will get volunteered. Jenny - have you got the pictures for the song? (snigger, snigger) hurry up November sandra |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Charley Noble Date: 18 Sep 03 - 09:16 AM Thanks, Bob, for reminding us of Australia's claim to fame in the world of arachnids. Judy urged me to correct the spelling of her pet words for spiders and centipeds; they are "eeks" and "eek-eeks" respectively. Now, back to the BBQ! Here in the States there are many ways to BBQ. In Maine, when we're doing lobsters and clams we build a bonfire on the beach with driftwood and toss in stones, let it burn down and then cover with a layer of seaweed, add the lobsters and other goodies, add some more seaweed, and then cover the whole thing with a canvas tarp and sit around guzzling beer for about twenty minutes or until the lobsters turn a bright red. Then there are those with the new propane afterburner wheeled units who just have to press the ignition button (the one next to the self-destruct button) and everything is ready to char. There are still the older BBQ grills where one loads them up with charcoal brickets or anything else that is likely to burn, pours on lighter fluid or petrol, ignition, and then grills whatever's available slowly over the glowing coals, if anything is left after ignition. I'm not sure if I know any BBQ songs. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: JennyO Date: 18 Sep 03 - 09:32 AM Mine is one of those 4 burner gas jobs with the ignition button - nice and big and easy to use. Sandra, unfortunately I don't have the pictures. "She who shall remain nameless" has them, so they are lost forever, as far as I am concerned. I'm not sure how I would go about making some more. We could have done it at the Dog - oh well, maybe we can anyway. Now all I have to do is find my words............ Jenny |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Bob Bolton Date: 18 Sep 03 - 09:51 PM G'day Charley, Your Maine clam & lobster-bake/barbecue sounds a bit like the way I cooked local mussels, gathered from the Huon River in Tasmania ... simply got a low fire going on the sand and dropped the mussells on top of the ashes until the shells opened ... then wolfed them down ... Yum! This was how the local Aboriginal people dealt with them and takes some beating. Sydney is a different story ... in the smoky inner suburb of Leichhardt, if I started up a wood fire in the backyard's free-standing brick barbecue - I'd probably have the local Fire Brigade (stationed 50 metres away on the corner of Leichhardt St & Balmain Rd) chopping through my front door in one minute! I'm afraid the propane fuelled variety is the most likely contender! (But, Wee Eric Bogle's song notwithstanding, we are pretty good at retrieving steaks while they are still edible!) Regards, Bob |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Naemanson Date: 21 Sep 03 - 03:59 AM I finally have a phone and therefore internet access! Now the fun begins. I can start planning and researching and looking! By the way, for our Australian friends, if you want a treat, next July is the Pacific Island Arts Festival on Palau. There's supposed to be a website but I haven't been able to get into it yet. Check out visit-palau.com. |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Hrothgar Date: 21 Sep 03 - 06:35 AM Didn't Denis Kevans have a poem about a spider on a building site? One of the trapdoor persuasion? |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Charley Noble Date: 21 Sep 03 - 11:25 AM Hrothgar- I would not be surprised at any topic Denis Kevans would come up for a poem. He is incredibly prolific, and has a wonderful sense of the absurd. Judy does have a shanty version of the "Insy-Tinsy Spider and the Waterspout" which we may be able to tease out of her. SandraN- Could you post your summary of The Loaded Dog gathering in this thread? It would provide folks from "away" just what a wonderful institution it is. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Bob Bolton Date: 21 Sep 03 - 09:37 PM G'day Hrothgar / Charley, I seem to remember that Don Henderson had one with a bit more bite ... about a funnel-web spider biting the foreman. Those trapdoor spiders are pretty tame by comparison (but they look nice and scary!). Sandra has just circulated her monthly update on The Loaded Dog - a summary of October's offerings and a review of September's. She obviously doesn't trust folkies' memories enought to bother telling them about programs 2 months in advance! (I tried to ring her, on other matters, this morning but to no avail.) Regards, Bob Bolton |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 22 Sep 03 - 08:47 AM Bob - what were you reading? It's a review of AUGUST & preview of September. Something gremlinish got in & removed section 3 of the newsletter which gave details for October & November. Anyway, as Amalina will not be attending, maybe YOU would like to write the next review? You could also publish it in Mulga Wire!! .................... Amalina's review of August Dog - The August Dog started with a cappuccino moment, shared with Jane Faulkner who emceed the night. Margaret Walters sang two songs, one from a new CD that has come out which presents around 20 NSW folkies performing songs they wrote during the wharfies struggles with Patricks in 1998. The CD has been produced by Mark Gregory for the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), and Margaret's songs were powerful and moving reminders of the union's struggles. The Dog was an opportunity to get Margaret's new CD, which has a stunning and lyrical collection of songs sung in Margaret's bluesy, earthy style. Margaret is one of the strong female singers of the folk scene, and it's good to hear her voice undiluted. Margaret's voice has great flexibility and range, and her vast repertoire is a continually growing history of Australian politics and people. As well, sales of the Song Links CD are moving quickly at the Dog, where it can be purchased for only $42.00 (instead of the usual $48.95). This historic CD is a collection of British traditional songs and their Australian variants. It is also a powerful showpiece of fine Australian singing, and will introduce thousands of British folkies to a selection of some of our finest musicians and singers. Bob Bolton emerged from behind his trusty camera to tell a hilarious yarn (Incognito, by John Manifold) which Bob explained he first heard told by an extremely inebriated Brad Tate at the Newcastle folk festival in 1985. The audience was still chortling as Phyl Lobl came on. Phyl was supported by Michael Roberts on guitar and backing vocals , as (she was nursing a broken arm). Phyl showed why she has become an icon of Australian folk. Her song writing has produced some of the most tender and original songs about the Australian environment, and about the fragility of the greater world ecosystem. Phyl's eco-songs reflect the rhythms and flows of the rivers and forests she sings about, and have moments of haunting beauty, while her satirical songs are hilarious, punchy and very ironic. Phyl's last three songs were performed with Loosely Woven, a gathering of folkies with flute, fiddle, harmonica, recorder, tin whistle and guitar, who performed three textured and truly loosely woven pieces, including a fantastic song called Pride of the Land, dedicated to "a girl born to dance" - to Shirley Andrews. Springtide is comprised of Greg Wilson & Jackie Luke, the talented duo from the Dang-Lyn Moon Folk Club at Mooney Mooney. Jackie and Greg have a huge repertoire ? one of our Dog fans heard them at another venue the week before, playing a totally different set of pieces. Jackie Luke plays Hammered Dulcimer, and Greg plays Celtic Harp, a truly intoxicating mix. Greg and Jackie hypnotised the Dog audience with reels, harp solos and jigs. The sweetness of their performance lulled one unnamed Dog audience member into such a state of relaxation .. Springtide has performed in Australia, America, and the UK, and we hope they come back to the Dog again.. |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: THE PRACTICAL SMOKER (Don Henderson) From: Bob Bolton Date: 22 Sep 03 - 07:34 PM G'day, Sandra: Err... Whatever I was reading - it wasn't the calendar! (BTW: When you repaste text from an existing e-mail, you may need to turn off Mudcat's otherwise useful new "Automatic Linebreaks" option ... otherwise the review starts to look like free verse!) Charley: Just for the record, this is the Don Henderson poem I mentioned above. I'm afraid this one doesn't have song status/tune like most of Don's fine songs, but it's an interesting approach to industrial relations! The Practical Smoker Don Henderson (1937-1991) I Can Sing songs of australia, Horwitz Publications, Sydney, 1970 (Introduction from book:) He was strong but a show off. One of those bosses who would never ask a man to do something he couldn't do himself. He died lifting a gas stove on to the tray of a truck by himself. If you'll listen to me for a while I'll relate the tale of a boss and his terrible fate. Conclusions, if any, are left up to you to draw for yourself, but I tell the tale to show for the main how bosses react when the bite is put on them, in a sense or in fact. I worked with a fellow, Snowy by name, employed by a bloke in the contracting game, and the job we were doing, when the event I'll tell you of happened, was laying cement, kerbing and gutters up in St. Ives, where the country is sandstone and the funnel web thrives. One morning we're working, Snow put down his pick and pulled his tobacco pouch out of his kick. The boss, whose failing, a bad one at that, was doing his block at the drop of a hat, saw Snowy's makings and screamed out, "You blokes. I'm not going to pay you to roll your own smokes." Snowy continued like the boss wasn't there, rolling his smoke with unusual care, and lighting it up said, "A good cigarette. I can't afford tailors on the money I get." Well, the boss went berserk, said the dough was all right and that Snow could get his at the office that night. We started back working, but just in a sense, things what they were and the feeling so tense. Snowy was clearing rocks up ahead, and breaking all records for swinging the lead; so the rest of us, levelling and boxing behind, were slowed down to nothing, though we didn't mind. But the way things were going, there was no way we'd pour when the Ready Mix came at twenty to four. And the boss, who was wondering whether or not it might have been best to sack Snow on the spot, reasoned that now all he could do was to go up in front and start clearing too. They worked there together for an hour or more, when all of a sudden a mighty uproar came from up front. We all looked around. There was Snow and the boss both down on the ground. We got them apart, they'd done no real harm. Then Snowy said, "Boss, have a look at your arm." We all looked and saw by one of the veins a red spot and a well squashed spider's remains. The boss shaking (who wouldn't) asked Snow if he'd seen what species the spider that bit him had been. "It was a Funnel Web," said Snow, "and no risk. A female for sure and as big as your fist." Dead set, the boss went the colour of chalk and gazed at his arm, too startled to talk. Of course Snow took over; the poor boss was thrown. Snow sent a bloke to the corner to phone for an ambulance and to cut down delay, said we'd jump in the car and meet it half way. The boss finally asked was there some antidote. Snow said, "Not really; but they cut a vein in your throat and let all the blood out. Bleed you bone dry. Then put new stuff in. It's at least worth a try." Then he whispered to me, behind his held hat, "It was really a Huntsman, but we won't tell him that." We got the boss in the back seat, more dead than alive. I jumped in with him; Snow said he'd drive. Drive Snowy did. Talk about go. By comparison, Jack Brabham would even be slow. We were going the wrong way. The boss noticed but Snow said, "It's all right, I know a short cut." 'Course he'd drummed me before, so I was awake, but the boss's heart fell with each wrong turn we'd take. And the wrong turns were many, for somehow we drove up every dead end from St. Ives to Lane Cove. Till finally, getting on the right track, we picked up the ambulance on its way back. When the ambulance got to the hospital gate, a stretcher was brought, but the boss wouldn't wait. For red eyed from weeping, a pitiful sight, and all sense of reason thrown over to fright, he frantically pushed the orderlies by, screaming, "Funnel web. Funnel web. Save me. I'll die." Then tore into "Out Patients"; fronted the nurse, and if things were bad now they were bound to get worse; for he rose in the air, then fell to his knee's, when the nurse answered, "Yes, sir. Take a seat please." And Snowy, to my mind a bit over done, said, "Have a smoke while you're waiting; here, I'll roll you one." Ready Mix = Premixed concrete – delivered by agitator truck Funnel Web (spider) = atrax robustus - one of the world's deadliest spiders tailors = tailormade cigarettes (commercial packets) Huntsman (spider) = isopeda immanis - large and hairy … but pretty harmless Brabham (Jack) = Australian world champion racing driver of those days Enjoy! (Just don't trust locals descriptions of spiders ... too far!) Regards, Bob |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Charley Noble Date: 22 Sep 03 - 09:51 PM Bad, bad, Bob! Judy's not gonna like that song at all. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Bob Bolton Date: 22 Sep 03 - 10:15 PM Don't worry Charley, We don't see any Funnel Webs on this side of the Harbour ... they stick to the wooded realms of the salubrious North Sydney addresses. (Sometimes God gets it right!) As for the Huntsman Spiders ... they are welcome to eat all the flies they want. Local Huntsman Spiders are up to 80mm (~ 3 ¼") across and look fierce and hairy but they never bother with prey they can't eat ... admittedly, some of the really big ones, up in Queensland, have been seen dragging away a full-grown rat or a young chicken ... but there is controversy as to whether that was kill or carrion - and those varieties are called "Bird-eating Spiders"! I also get some lovely Golden Orb Weavers trying to take over the clothes line in summer - they thrive on the fruit flies from the overblown Italian backyard orchard next door at number 8! Once we negotiate the season's "Joint Use Policy" for clothesline, we get along all right. Regards, Bob Bolton |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Naemanson Date: 26 Sep 03 - 04:44 AM Well, Charlie, I suggest Judy NOT follow any of these links until you are well and truly and financially committed to this trip. There are lots of eek-eeks on them. This one is a picture and some info aon the Golden Orb Spider. Here is info on the Red Back Spider. Don Henderson's Funnel Web Spider is here and here is Another Funnel Web Spider Page. Finaly here is a Spider ID Chart. Just in case Judy was curious. |
|
Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November From: Bob Bolton Date: 26 Sep 03 - 06:15 AM G'day Brett, (Pace Hrothgar) Of course, you are more likely to meet most of those in the barbarous wilds of Queensland ... only the hardiest thrive in the concrete jungle of Sydney! Actually, the Bicentennial Park, out at Homebush, near the Olympics site, has annual open days to view the massed webs and Golden Orb Spiders along the path down to the Waterbird Habitat ... about a kilometre of overhead webs just seperated by a bit more than the reach of the spider next-door! (Mostly from abour 3 metres up to 6 or 7 metres in the air.) Pat and I went out there last year - much more impressive than the workers living on next-door's fruit-fly!) Regards Judy, Charlie et al, Bob |
| Share Thread: |
