Max's Thread - UK Escapade

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Max
Date: 23 Aug 10 - 12:05 PM

Day 3 in Whitby.  Feels like I've been here for ages. Folks are starting to sound normal. How quickly the mind adapts, I don't even notice the accents anymore.  I think I am one of five Americans here among thousands of folkies and vacationers. My language habits are already changing, perhaps to avoid the snickers. I'm on holiday, not vacation. And I work at University, not college. I wait in a cue to get into places, a router is pronounced rooter, and things that are not good are rubbish. My words are changing without even thinking about it.

A lot of opposites here. Things that are up are down and pushes are pulls. Light switches are upside-down, doors always seem to swing the opposite way that I expect.  All in all though, when strolling about, which I have done a lot of, I have to remind myself I am in a foreign land.

Barbara, Andy and I left for Whitby Saturday morning, stopping at a the Brough Castle in Cumbria. Stunning views of the countryside and just knocked out being in and touching such old stone, imagining life in this castle in its time. The sheep wandering about everywhere, freely, even on the playgrounds.

We arrived around 3pm and quickly ran into Dick and Susan, Bill Sabes, Folkie Dave, Linda and Pistachio. Whitby is striking the first time you lay eyes on it. The Abby in the distance, the port, the regatta, the town built into the hillsides around it. It was a fantastic sunny day, just making it a perfect introduction.

Barbara and Andy got settled in their pad, with award winning views of the harbor, and soon I made it over to where I was staying, across the river with Dick and Susan. I just dropped my suitcase off and split, eager to jump into this town and figure her out. I set out on foot intent to walk every street, down the piers, onto the beaches, up and down, round and round. I think I damn near did.

I found a cute little outdoor café and stopped to have a cappuccino and some dinner. Tiger prawns and Crayfish with potatoes and toast bits, and a pot of tea. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

Whitby Folk Week is amazing. Very much like folk events I've been to in the US, like Folk College and The FSGW Getaway, but on a scale that is wholly unbelievable. Folkies take over this whole seaside town for an entire week, 10 workshops, concerts, pub sings are going on at any given moment around the clock. The choices are impossible.

Whitby reminds me of a Maine coastal town. It is a familiar port town. Perhaps like Belfast or Camden Maine with a touch of the consumerism or tourism of Ocean City, Maryland.

Saturday night, I chose the Festival Folk Club at the Conservative Club, I think because I heard there was an American performing. Ran into a very old friend in Jon McKenzie, and enjoyed the show very much. The American, Jeff Warner, impressed the hell out of me and was a pleasure to meet following the show.

As Saturday came to an end, I got to do one of my favorite things to do in this whole wide world: Bullshit with Dick Greenhaus. We stayed up half the night telling stories and exchanging ideas as to what awesome things we'll do next. I relish those moments, and actually take notes so not to forget the things he tells me.

Sunday was another beautiful, sunny day.  Dick made breakfast, and I had my first English bacon, and I headed off to a Blues Workshop. Very well attended and Roger Sutcliffe floored me with Brownie McGhee's Sporting Life Blues.

I stuck around to see Tom Paley and an American Music Session then headed off to the beach for a snooze, then more wandering, determined to find a wifi signal so I could check in. After much wandering with my phone in my hand, looking like a weirdo no doubt, I finally asked a local kid what the scoop was. He told me about a couple of pubs that would give me the code if I asked "the guy behind the bar" and The Art House Café where I sit now.

After dinner, missing Barbara and Andy already, they were kind enough to pick me up and take me to The Rugby Club for a concert. The simply sick harmonies of the Grace Notes with the special appearance of Lucy Wright (a Jews Harp virtuoso and clearly an angel), the impeccable musicianship of Minstrel Show Banjo from 1880 to 1920 – Rob Murch, and what must be the finest melodeon/concertina player in the world John Kirkpatrick was so good, I'd have come all the way here just for that.

It finally rained here today, so I skipped a couple of workshops to come have tea and write all this. Just now as I sit here, Mrs. Duck has just texted me to head over to a pub to meet them and see some Morris Dancing, so I'm off. Much more to come.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Big Mick
Date: 23 Aug 10 - 12:22 PM

That's what I'm talkin' about........

Right on.

Mick

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Aug 10 - 12:46 PM

What fun! It doesn't get better than 'listening' to an articulate observer.

(although I do believe that it is 'queue' rather than 'cue'. :)

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Noreen
Date: 23 Aug 10 - 01:13 PM

Lovely!
More fun later at the mudgather in the Endeavour :)

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Will Fly
Date: 23 Aug 10 - 01:43 PM

Max - if you saw John Kirkpatrick, then you did indeed see one of the finest "squeezers" in the world!

Looking forward to meeting you on 2nd September - tenor guitar and blues harps in hand... :-)

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: gnu
Date: 23 Aug 10 - 02:20 PM

Enjoyable read.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Aug 10 - 04:39 PM

Max-

Thanks for posting such a great update!

I almost believe you are actually there.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: gnu
Date: 23 Aug 10 - 06:24 PM

Hey Max. Yee got a Mudcat tee shirt with yee fer the meetin an greetin?

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Girl Friday
Date: 23 Aug 10 - 06:59 PM

We have wi-fi at The Liberal Club should you want to go live on Friday, but it may be best to just write it up after. Enjoyed your Whitby posting.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Soldier boy
Date: 23 Aug 10 - 07:30 PM

It is wonderful reading your personal diary Max.
You paint such wonderul pictures with your relaxed commentary and acute observations.
I look forward to hearing much more and hope you thoroughly enjoyed The MudGather in The Endeavour with Les and Maggie tonight as part of their singaround/playaround session.
I know that it can be a bit crowded and noisy in there at times but I am sure that you will have enjoyed the whole experience and will have been made very welcome indeed by Les and Maggie and everyone there.
Man, You must be buzzing and have a huge grin on your face!

The next official MudGather at 4.00pm on Wednesday in The Board Inn (East side, on the left of the cobbled street and near the 199 steps up to the Abbey) should be a bit quieter and more sedate affair where you should have the opportunity to get to know fellow Mudcatters even better and do some more floor spots to wow us all.

I have always loved Whitby as a seaside town. It has a very special place in my heart and the Whitby Folk Week Festival is something else altogether!

And from your diary posting above Max I can tell that Whitby and the Festival is weaving it's special majic spell on you too.
It really is a place you will always remember with a glow in your heart and will wish to return to time and time again.

And guess where I am heading tomorrow?   Why Whitby of course!
I'm almost all packed up and ready to go.
Yippeeeee!

Chris

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Max
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 07:22 AM

Feeling quite loved after The MudGather in The Endeavour with Les and Maggie last night, if not a bit overwhelmed. So many names and places, please forgive me if I did not get them all. People seemed a bit concerned that I was bored or weirder out. No. No. These are my people. I am home.

Another great chat with dick last night, we must make that man write a book. Awesome Jews Harp workshop this morning, I'm smitten now, not only with Lucy Wright but I'm determined to master the instrument. Now I'm off to dance, American today and Playford tomorrow. Then a cruise of the North Sea on the Esk Bell. So much more to come…

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Max
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 07:30 AM

Photos and more Photos.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: GUEST,Linda Kelly
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 08:25 AM

Lucy is quite lovely and such a beautiful voice!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 08:35 AM

Is that St. Helen's at Churchtown I see? We're not too far from there ourselves actually; there's some interesting misericord carvings including a splendid Elephant & Castle and a Bat-winged Horror straight out of M R James. A little further along the road you have Saint Michael's with its remarkable Sexual Contortionist and graves of the hapless Spanish sailors who became vagabonds following the scuttling of the Saint Anne of Dunkirk during the civil war - an episode celebrated by by our very own Sailor Ron in one of his finest lyrics.

We passed by Brough Castle on Saturday ourselves, en route to Tyneside, reflecting on how the brutal stamp of the Norman war machine is now accepted into the landscape as picturesque. A little chilling really, but such is romance...

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 10:41 AM

PS - Talking of Jew's Harps & St. Helen's - Double Murchanga (D/A) at Saint Helen's, Spring 2008.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Les from Hull
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 12:19 PM

Thanks to all who came to the Endeavour last night to entertain us, we had an absolute ball!

Les and Maggie

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Jeri
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 02:47 PM

If the private jet weren't in the shop (routine maintenance: oil, lube and spark plugs), I'd zip on over right now. Thanks for the photos and field reporting.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: gnu
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 04:55 PM

GOF and plugs? You don't do your own maintenance?

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 12:36 AM

;-D

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Noreen
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 04:49 AM

Hey, that Max can DANCE!!

*big grin*

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Max
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 09:44 AM

Wow. Maybe that's all there is to say about yesterday. Wow.
OK, maybe not.
After a little contra dancing, that I can't say went very well, I was off on a half day cruise on the North Sea on a ship called The Esk Belle (named after the river) to a little town up the coast called Staithes. This is where Captain Cook apprenticed before he moved down to Whitby.
The view back at Whitby is stunning, my words will fall short, so you gotta just look at the pictures. Bram Stoker describes Dracula entering the harbor and heading up to the Abbey, and now that's all I can think about when I look at it. I'll have to read the book again that I've walked those steps.
There are other legends and songs and stories that are associated with this sea and this town and the Abby which I'll write about when I return.
I was gob smacked at the coastline, having enviously seen it in picture books and golf tournaments, it was just surreal to be looking at it from this ship. The seas and the weather were turning, every mile we went, and sure enough it began to rain just as we pulled ashore.
Staithes was old and gorgeous and gritty. The Cob and Lobster, a pub we stopped at, had pictures of turn of the century sailors doing their thing, and I just can't imagine how hard that work was. Our generation will just never have the opportunity to be that tough.
It rained a bit, and the seas were rough on the way back, it was cold, but it sure could have been worse. I didn't hear many complaints. Lots of mudcatters onboard, so much love again, and great conversations. I think we're up to 45 mudcatters that I've met at this point.
Had my first Whitby Cod fish and chips in a delightful dinner with Hillary, Noreen, Richard and Cats. Brilliant. The ladies talked me into formal tea and fancy cookies the next day, did their share of teasing my pronunciation of certain words, and turned me on to the holiday tradition of sucking on knobby ends... I'm not going to explain that quite yet, but get your mind out of the gutter. A very pleasurable dinner with some very fine folks.
Boy was I tired at this point. I wanted nothing more than to go to bed, but Bill Sables showed up as we ate our deserts, lemon sorbet for me, and pointed out that 2 old friends, Sam Pirt and Ian Stephenson, whom I hosted 10 years ago when they visited the states, were performing at a Ceilidh (look it up, it's awesome). So I sat down for a moment (big mistake), but was successfully able to pull my butt off the couch and head up to the Spa Pavilion. Boy am I glad I did that.
The place was loaded with folks, young and old, which brought warmth to my heart, seeing young people enjoying a traditional social gathering, music and dance, with genuine smiles on their faces. It's like a giant square dance. Hundreds of people dancing. I watched and photographed for a bit, and wondered how to approach a strange Englishwoman and ask her to dance with an American who has no idea what he's doing, and luckily Noreen showed up and dragged me out on the dance floor. We proceeded to tear up the floors till 1am. It was the time of my life. Never have I ever had so much fun dancing before in my whole life. Noreen was a peach, and I am so grateful, and I believe I picked up the steps pretty good. I woke up sore, tired and grinning from ear to ear.
A fantastic display of rappers (Morris Dancing with swords) ended the night. I got some great video of that, which I hope to upload shortly. If there is video of me dancing, I will pay money for that.
I walked the 199 steps up to the Abbey this morning and took about 1000 photos of it all. The views overlooking Whitby are magnificent. The 360 view boggles the mind. Check the pictures, I uploaded a bunch more today.
I apologize for bad grammar and misspellings and too many pictures, I am at a disadvantage with both time and technology, so I will polish everything when I have a bit more time and such.

Today is my last day in Whitby, hitting the road with Richard and Hillary in the morning. Not sure what kind of connections I'll have following today.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 10:06 AM

Max, can you tone down the wonderful descriptiveness a tad? This is upsetting. I am missing Whitby and won't get to see you on your visit to the UK....

But seriously, I am glad you're enjoying it all so much, especially the sucking on knobby ends!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Splott Man
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 11:35 AM

Isecond that George. For one reason or another this is my second year in a row not at Whitby.

Hey Max, when your in south Wales, if you are interested in more things Maritime, there will be a couple of tall ships in Cardiff Bay.

See you at Anne's.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 12:09 PM

Well now you're thoroughly spoiled for the far more prosaic delights of Orpington on Friday. You'll have a chance to view Tesco's and the multi-storey car park no doubt, but compared to Whitby it might be a bit of a come-down.

We'll just have to make sure that the welcome you get indoors compensates for the suburban character of the immediate outdoors :-)

Don't worry though, away from the suburbs I'm sure you'll see some fantastic parts of Sussex and Kent.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: GUEST,Girl Friday
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 01:47 PM

Cheers Rob.. It's true we have the largest Tesco store in Europe right opposite. It has an escalator from the ground to the shop floor(s). Watching prople go up it is like watching scenes from "Zombies - Dawn of The Dead". However, after Bram Stoker's views of Whitby you'll feel right at home. When you get inside The Liberal Club, you may find the lounge bar a bit spartan - it's being decorated at the moment. However, the beer is good, and the welcome from Friday Folk will be very warm.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: gnu
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 01:56 PM

And video too? It just gets better.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 03:06 PM

Max, I imagine there's still an afternoon session every day in a pub in Robin Hood's Bay. For me, that and the children's concerts were the high point of Whitby Folk Week. If you can get to Robin Hood's Bay, you'll love it.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Tootler
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 06:53 PM

I'll attest to the welcome at the Orpington Friday Club. I went there two years ago when I was in Kent for the annual Recorder Festival. I had cheekily asked for a floor spot and they gave me one and made me very welcome. It made what could have been a somewhat flat Friday evening very enjoyable.

I hope I did not let them down with my singing!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Leadfingers
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 08:09 PM

Recorder Festival ?? SCARY ! All those High Up Legal types !!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 11:37 PM

Max, you are living my dream. Thanks for describing it so well and for the pix, though they make me cry.*smile* Can't wait to see some videos, too!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: GUEST,abuwood
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 03:53 AM

Lovely to meet you Max, and really enjoyed reading uour posts. Yes Joe, Robin Hoods Bay afternoons still happen, our caravan is overlooking that bay and we shall go down to the Dolphin this aftrrnoon

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: GUEST,^&*
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 03:57 AM

Recorder Festival ?? SCARY ! All those High Up Legal types !!

And there was I thinking it was all about reel-to-reel dancing, ;>)

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 04:43 AM

Hi Max

I can't imagine they let you see Staithes without mentioning this guy and this song - but I'll put it up for those following your exploits from the states

Staithes

In view of the accent I'll put a link to the lyrics as they are worth reading if you can't catch them on the video

Lyrics

By the way Max - Do not let your visit to Orpington pass without INSISTING on hearing Wee and a Shave from Tone Deaf Leopard - it will surpass anything you have heard on your trip to date!!!

hope to see you Friday

Rafflesbear

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 06:33 AM

But if you want to hear
"Rebel (without bladder control)"

as well Sue may have to take a break between the two songs in order to - er - well - you know.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Tyke
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 06:42 AM

Not the best recording of Vin you must agree Rafflesbear I also suspect that some of English during the intro needs explanation. Brass Rubbing is to copy onto paper an image. These images are usualy found in Old Churches not Pubs. Brass is also slang for Money and A Brass is a prostitute a female/male who will commit a sexual act for money.

Having compleatly ruined Vins comic timing by explaining the Joke I shall file this joke away and steal it!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 07:06 AM

I do indeed agree Tyke but the best I could find straight off. While others struggle to catch the finer points I shall sit back and enjoy listening to my vinyl copy of The Valley of Tees :-)

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Tyke
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 07:53 AM

Just had a look on SPOTIFY sorry! No Vally of Tees Album but there are 30 Vin Garbutt tracks including Vally of Tees. Well worth a listen!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Anne Lister
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 11:57 AM

As my thread seems to have vanished ..anyone who can get to South East Wales on Tuesday evening is welcome to come to meet Max at my place. Pm me if you're coming for catering purposes.

Anne

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 12:11 PM

Here's one copy

Vin Garbutt Valley of Tees

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Girl Friday
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 02:29 PM

My God Max ! Now you know we're completely insane. Rafflesbear and Richard Bridge are requesting their favourite T D L songs. However you can look forward to hearing our young blues meister Ben, if he's prepared to sing !

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 02:40 PM

Max, Don't let them off the hook!!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: The Barden of England
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 04:12 PM

Max will be with me from about 11am tomorrow. Have pity on him please!!!
John Barden

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Max
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 08:17 PM

Audio went weird on this.

Rappers

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 09:21 PM

They are completely mad! LOL!!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: gnu
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 04:36 AM

I have never seen Morris Dancing like that. Impressive!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Leadfingers
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 04:56 AM

Newcastle Kingsmen enjoyed dancing in The Newt at Sidders ! They DO do a good show

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 05:54 AM

OK, perhaps some of us have started taking living in the north of England for granted...This is just "Whitby", but we're pleased some of that special feeling is getting through.

Max, it was lovely to meet you, and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time on the rest of your trip too.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 05:56 AM

OOps not logged in - 'twas me.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 06:30 AM

Don't you believe what John Barden says about pitying Max. Spending time with the Barden of England in the Garden or England is delightful.

How did last night's Orpington Folk go? I was far too ill to attend. Home sick today and hoping I can make tomorrow's Ash.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 06:48 AM

I don't know how last night's Orpington Folk Club in Farnborough went but I'm looking forward to Orpington Friday Folk in Orpington with Max tonight.