Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread

Subject: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 08:44 AM

hi all , the other one is long and it takes long time to open
so here is another

those who are coming that I know of are

Noreen and Stewart
Bill Sables
Mouldy
MrRay Gallagher,
Doug Chadwick
Crazy Wolfgang

more info coming later about phonenumber and
other things . Is someone gonna rent a car ??
kv Skarpi .

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 01:55 PM

Mouldy, Bill, Ray and myself are booked in at the Hliðardalskóli selfgathering place

DC

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: bill\sables
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 08:45 AM

Hi Scarpi. we will be renting a car when we arive.
Cheers Bill

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 04:42 PM

Old thread can be found here:

Eurogathering 2010 in Iceland ? 30 April-2 May

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 01:35 PM

So 7 people are attending :O) so far .

so who plays on what instrument ?
and would you like to play on stage for 20min each and
one of you or in group ?
I am trying to make a little happening on the the
Saturday night ... with you and some Icelanders

more info coming soon
kv Skarpi

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 03:53 PM

That depends on which instruments I bring. My problem is that I would like to bring my guitar but, at the moment, I don't have a hard case suitable for an aeroplane cargo hold. I will probably be limited to what I can fit into my hand luggage and I'm still trying to decide which to leave out. If I throw out the non-essential things like a change of clothes and soap & towel, I could probably squeeze in some musical extras.

I enjoy playing a 20 minute set, an open session where all are free to join in, and the sing-a-round format where each takes it in turn to sing one song at a time. I know it doesn't help you decide what to arrange, but I will be happy with whichever format you come up with.

Doug

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: bill\sables
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 07:48 PM

Mouldy, Ray Galagher and myself will be bringing Accordian, Melodeon and Tenor Banjo
Bill

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: mouldy
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 12:47 PM

My playing's gone WAY off, due to lack practice over the last year or so (not that I was all that good, anyway) but I'm happy to join in with others if I can.

Open sessions suit me best because if I'm asked to play a tune, my brain goes blank and I default to Princess Royal! I'd sing, but you wouldn't thank me for it....

Andrea

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: bill\sables
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 10:50 AM

Ray Gallagher plays accordion in a ceilidh band so you should be ok for a few dances

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: bill\sables
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 12:18 PM

Scarpi, will the volcano eruption effect the euro gathering or are things still going to plan?
Bill

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 02:35 PM

No it will not :O)
dont you worry ..this is so small that it will not affect us .

kv Skarpi

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 25 Mar 10 - 03:40 PM

Skarpi,

Did you manage to get any co-ordinates from GoogleEarth for the Hliðardalskóli selfgathering place?

DC

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 25 Mar 10 - 04:39 PM

nobb , I had to look for it another computer , I dont have google
earth in mine ...have not enough space for it ...
PM you r E-mail please .
I will do it in other way

kv Skarpi

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Letty
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 04:55 AM

Hello all,

Surprise, I will be coming too, bringing the fiddle along of course.
I have booked a flight for Thursday 29 April, arriving 15.10 via Denmark.

How do I book the self-catering place? And if someone's renting a car, I'd be happy to share in the cost so I can get a ride (have a licence myself if needed).


Best, Letty

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: GUEST,Noreen
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 07:44 AM

Oooo, lovely Letty!

We have booked into the self-gathering place, just by emailing the email address skarpi posted above : [e-mail]

We weren't given any information on where it is or how much- but that will be so much more exciting when we get there :)

Looks like we will have enough players for a scratch ceili band if required- do you have access to a keyboard, skarpi, that I could play?

I will be bringing my concertina (for playing with others) and singing voice.

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 02:30 PM

I've managed to borrow a case so I'll be bringing my guitar. Still thinking about what else I may bring.

Hi Letty! It will be great to see you again.

DC

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 04:10 PM

Yes I could arrange that , there is a piano on the stage ....though
well Laila the woman who own s the buisness she will home from abroad
after easter --next week so I´ll go up there and talk to her and then
I know how this will work out :O)
Also next week I ´ll give youo my phone number so you can call me
when you are here and also if something s happen..

so now worry all ..

kv Skarpi

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: bill\sables
Date: 30 Mar 10 - 04:48 AM

Good to hear Letty is goin' to be there. The last time Noreen borrowed a piano it was a gigantic concert grand on the Rotterdam ferry.
Bill

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 30 Mar 10 - 06:24 AM

well I can´t wait to hear her play then with you all :O)

kv skarpi

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Noreen
Date: 30 Mar 10 - 08:17 AM

oh bill, that was fun!

Looking forward to more Eurogathering fun in Iceland :0)

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Letty
Date: 31 Mar 10 - 04:27 AM

Noreen, will you be in the self-catering on Thursday already?
I'm not sure whether to book from Thursday or from Friday, don't want to be there on my own. If no one's there yet, I might spend the night exploring Reykjavik :)

Best,
Letty

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Noreen
Date: 31 Mar 10 - 08:34 AM

No Letty, we're planning to stay in Reykjavik on Thursday ,making our way over to the gathering place (with skarpi's help?) on the Friday.

We haven't booked anywhere in Reyjkjavik yet- any ideas?

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 31 Mar 10 - 12:04 PM

I recently stayed at the Hotel Loftleidir in Reykjavik which I thought was very good. A bit out of town (15-20 mins walk), but there are free shuttle buses.

The hotel cat's a rascal!

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Letty
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 05:11 PM

I've been confirmed for the self-catering place for the weekend as well!
Does that mean pancakes like in Portaferry? :)


Best,
Letty

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: mouldy
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 03:58 AM

WARNING!
I am bringing Marmite!

Andrea

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Leadfingers
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 08:18 AM

The GOOD news is that I have a Gig that would pay the Air Fare !

The BAD news is that it is that weekend ! BUGGER !

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 04:04 PM

hahahaha oh lucky Terry :O(
oh well some other time then ..

all the best Skarpi ...

oh the breakfast is Brennivin and Rotten shark every morning ..:O)
hahahahahahaha no it is not ... but I will give you a try .

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: bill\sables
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 10:08 AM

Have you ordered the Walruss and Whale curry yet Scarpi?

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: open mike
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 11:03 AM

what does self catering mean? like a bed and breakfast without the breakfast? 'I am excited for all of you and hope you have the best time!

Is there any way to record any of the proceedings to share with those who can't make it? (audio or video recordings?) they could be posted on the mudcat face book page....which is where any images or audio can be shared ...

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: mouldy
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 11:07 AM

Sounds like it might be a bit like the Youth Hostel experience Bill and I had on a Morris trip to Belgium...It was great!

Andrea

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 12:08 PM

you want whale meat ? I have that in my freezer ...
BBQ 2 min each site ... yammiii

oh and the meat is from killer whale not the big ones
I don´t like that meat ...this is better ..

shark meat ...

just what you want to taste ...

kv Skarpi

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: bill\sables
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 09:24 PM

Scarpi, I have eaten aligator in New Orleans, Grisley Bear in Montana, Elk in Wyoming, Clam Chowder in Sour Dough in San Francisco, Kangaroo in Australia, Hot Dog in New York, Haggis in Scotland, Fruit Bat Curry in The Seychelles, Scouse in Liverpool, Ham and Pease Pudding on Stotty in Newcastle on Tyne and even drunk Liptons tea in America so I'm looking foreward to whale in Iceland.
Bill

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 04:55 AM

Self Catering means a kitchen is available for food preperation at th accomodation . so you buy what you want to cook and get stuck in !
At Portaferry The Hostel DID do Breakfast , and we had one Communal evening meal cooked by volounteers ! I wish I could be there with you

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 04:35 PM

well then Bill , whale meat , and slátur ( kind a like Haggis )
not the same though ..shark ...and some more ...
sorry we don´t have aligators ...nor a Grisley bear ..

kv Skarpi

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: bill\sables
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 04:41 PM

Sounds good to me Scarpi. Most of the previous list were as I expected very tasty all except the Liptons tea in America, It was very like canoeing, very close to water.
Bill

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Effsee
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 10:29 PM

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jh7lQ-qBxQMPzPd3Iap7_s3YDBfQD9F2VRV84   

What's the crack Skarpi?

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Effsee
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 11:56 PM

And more:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8621407.stm

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: folkypaul
Date: 15 Apr 10 - 07:42 AM

Hope I can catch a plane and go.
PaulO

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 15 Apr 10 - 07:46 AM

Some did and have got stranded there!

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Letty
Date: 15 Apr 10 - 12:29 PM

Hey Skarpi, can you tell your volcanoes to cut it out for the mudcat weekend?

:-)

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 15 Apr 10 - 01:38 PM

yep I ´ll try , I thought you would like to see a prober
eruption ..:O)

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Letty
Date: 15 Apr 10 - 07:39 PM

That's ok once I've actually flown there: right now, they don't let planes take off here because of the ash.

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Effsee
Date: 15 Apr 10 - 10:46 PM

Skarpi sez..."yep I ´ll try , I thought you would like to see a prober
eruption ..:O) "

I had one of them when the Proctologist stuck that camera up me jacksie!

As an aside what kinda person chooses to become a Proctologist? Yeuch!

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: mouldy
Date: 16 Apr 10 - 04:41 AM

My sister in law's husband!
He's a Consultant Gastro-Enterologist - Endoscopies(and Gastroscopies)-R-Us! he decided to study it because there was a shortage of them 40 years ago in the UK, and he thought it would be easy to get work. Unfortunately, so did a lot of other people!

He said that one of the worst things was having to carry one's own "samples" to uni on the bus....

Andrea

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Effsee
Date: 16 Apr 10 - 12:30 PM

LOL Andrea...bet he had plenty "personal space" on the journeys though!

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: mouldy
Date: 16 Apr 10 - 01:31 PM

Plastic bags seal up quite well!

Andrea

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: mouldy
Date: 17 Apr 10 - 07:22 AM

Anyway, here's hoping the geology settles enough for us to be able to fly out to you!

Andrea

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 17 Apr 10 - 10:28 AM

I am watching this right now and wow what a show

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 06:46 AM

I am a little worry that you can´t fly up here ..the
weather broadcast in into next future is not good at all

saigghhhss that mountain is a big trouble ...urrrr

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: bill\sables
Date: 19 Apr 10 - 08:59 AM

Scarpi, There are still eleven days before we fly, the airlines should have sorted something before then. Keep the whale meat on the stove, We'll be there!!!!
Bill

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 19 Apr 10 - 10:01 AM

hahaha jabbb ..will do :O)

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: bill\sables
Date: 20 Apr 10 - 04:56 AM

Still nine days to go before our Islandic flight and they seem to be starting flights from Scottish and Northern English airports today
Bill

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: mouldy
Date: 20 Apr 10 - 08:55 AM

Fingers and other appendages crossed!

Andrea

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: bill\sables
Date: 20 Apr 10 - 02:41 PM

Bollocks, The buggers have stoped again!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: bill\sables
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 04:45 AM

Scarpi,
Last year you declared your country bankrupt.
This year you set the island on fire.
Does this sound like an insurance fiddle to you?
Flying has started again so we should arrive next week.
Bill

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: mouldy
Date: 22 Apr 10 - 04:51 AM

Okay.

Could those who are going with us please PM Bill or myself with your contact phone numbers, so that we can all find each other when we arrive? WE have transport to sort out.

Skarpi, can you give us directions to where we are staying, please?

Ta

Andrea

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 22 Apr 10 - 05:32 AM

will do Andrea , and of course I wll add my cell phone number and home number , but not until tonight , now I have to work a little .

so tonight I will give you directions where to go .......

kv Skarpi

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: bill\sables
Date: 23 Apr 10 - 04:53 AM

Thanks Letty I got your number but I'm still waiting for Noreen's and Skarpi's
Bill

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Letty
Date: 26 Apr 10 - 11:38 AM

Still exciting - today no flights to Keflavík but to an alternative aiprot: Akureyri.

Would that be a feasible option for us Skarpi? Or is it too far away?


Fingers crossed,

Letty

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 26 Apr 10 - 11:49 AM

well there is a flights to Keflavík today might change tomorrow ,
if you fly Akureyri , they will take you by bus to Reykjavík

now here is my phone numbers

mobile [phone]
home 354-4833795
when you call from a phone here you don´t need to dial 354
that if the phone is not your s .

now I got a job and its my first day today , I work from 17:30
to 21:30 and I should be working on Saturday and Sunday
from 10 :00 to 19:00 but I am gonna try to get the Saturday off
change shift with someone :O) so I can be with you
on Saturday , I think you might want to be on your own some of you
on Sunday ....a little .

more tonight +

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Wolfgang
Date: 26 Apr 10 - 01:03 PM

I arrive Friday at 15.35 (Reykjavik Airport). And I fly back Monday at much too early for comfort.
I consider hiring a car (perhaps sharing).
When do the others arrive? Similar time. Free space in a car? Interested in sharing a car?

Up to now I have only a vague idea where to go. So I may have to read all the posts to find out. I'll try to get a bed at the same place as the others.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: bill\sables
Date: 26 Apr 10 - 05:15 PM

Scarpi We still need directions from the airport to the self gathering place

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Noreen
Date: 26 Apr 10 - 06:57 PM

:(   :(   :(   :(

So sorry, all, but Stewart and I will not be joining you for this splendid gathering and spectacle.

Major problems at home mean that the time has to be spent differently, and rather less enjoyably.

I will however be looking out for all the news you care to post about your travels and the fun being had by all. :0)

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Wolfgang
Date: 27 Apr 10 - 02:26 PM

It's a pity you can't come, Noreen.
Hope you sort out what buggers you.

Wolfgang

P.S.: Could a new eruption be organised for Saturday making the flight back impossible for, say, ten days? That would be very convenient for me.

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Wolfgang
Date: 27 Apr 10 - 02:29 PM

Letty,

the British and I arrive at Friday within minutes from each other (15.35 and 15.40). Meet us at the Keflavik Airport?

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 27 Apr 10 - 06:30 PM

Okei Bill you get the direction tomorrow ,
its highway 1 from the Keflavík . to Reykjavík .


more info tomorrow promise :O)
kv Skarpi

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 27 Apr 10 - 07:43 PM

right and I was wrong sorry her is the road direction you need
Bill .

from Keflavík airport to Reykjavík you drive higway 41
then follow the sign that shows you where to connect with
highway number 1 to Selfoss then you drive higway 1 until you see sign
that says higway 39 turn into that road after awile you come to a cross
road that says , road number 38 and 42 take a right turn
on road 42 and drive up the road you see the house after little
while .

kv Skarpi .

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 28 Apr 10 - 02:37 AM

Skarpi,

Do you mean the 42?

Looking at the map, it would seem to be right on the 427 that leaves the 38. The 42 seems to be much further west, coming south out of Reykjavík.


Wolfgang,

If Letty is staying overnight Thursday in Reykjavík, it would be better to pick her up on the way, rather than her having to travel all the way back to the airport.


DC

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 28 Apr 10 - 07:00 AM

flight s are not looking good at the moment ?

hope it works out . you might have to check that you
could land in Akureyri or Egilstaðir and that means
a hole lot of traveling I think its 700 km from Egilstaðir
and 400 km from Akureyri and by bus , the flights inside
Iceland is down , and its not looking good ..

so watch out for travel info before you go from Home .

kv Doug , when you take the car you can double check the roads
before you go , they help you out if your not sure .

kv Skarpi

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: maeve
Date: 28 Apr 10 - 07:05 AM

Best wishes for all who plan to join Skarpi for the Gathering. I hope it all works out for safe travel there and back, stuffed in the middle with good music and good company.

maeve

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 28 Apr 10 - 03:35 PM

its open again ? wonder how long that will be ?

tomorrow a German air plain will fly over Iceland to see how
much ash in the air ?

I hope this goes well ....

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Noreen
Date: 28 Apr 10 - 04:47 PM

This morning's flight from Gatwick to Keflavik, due to leave at 11.30am, finally took off at 20.59 this evening.

The equivalent flight tomorrow morning is the one I would have been on. If tomorrow's is cancelled I will get my money back... which would be a small silver lining to the ash cloud...

But I hope all your flights get there without too much hassle!
(Those getting you home can be delayed a bit if you like- then you get a free Reykjavik card to see all the sights and free Blue Lagoon bathing!)

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 28 Apr 10 - 06:53 PM

*So you will all be here on Friday ???
kv Skarpi

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 28 Apr 10 - 07:03 PM

I will be in the mudchat for some time now :O)

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Wolfgang
Date: 29 Apr 10 - 06:00 AM

The flights from Germany to Keflavik are not cancelled and most likely will not be cancelled.

Once I'm there, I don't mind cancellations.

If all goes well, I'll be at the Keflavik airport tomorrow at 15.35 local time and meet the others at the airport.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 29 Apr 10 - 07:05 AM

Good ,lets hope it stays open .
kv Skarpi

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Noreen
Date: 29 Apr 10 - 09:04 AM

Their website now says:
Flight schedule at Keflavik International is back to normal.

Good luck everyone with your travelling and meeting up.

Letty- please sing Siúil a rúin for me :)

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 29 Apr 10 - 11:47 AM

have a great time

sandra

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 Apr 10 - 06:40 PM

Mutter Mutter Mutter !!!

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Letty
Date: 30 Apr 10 - 06:26 AM

Hello from Reykjavik,

I will join Bill and Wolfgang at the airport today.
See you soon!

Letty

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 30 Apr 10 - 08:31 AM

Letty ? are you in Reykjavík already ?
if so , please call me on my cell phone from you r hotel
from Icelandic phone system , 8682418

kv Skarpi .

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 03 May 10 - 10:49 AM

Well all , this weekend has been great , went to the Volcano , and they went on sight seeing yesterday to she the waterfalls and Geysir
and last night we had a blast at the pub Dubliner in Reykjavík
and med a group of people from Foroyjar Island and they sang for us
and then we got into Foroyjar dance ( dansur ) and that was great
and those people knew most of the songs .

Friday night we went to pub here in my home town and it was few
people , Saturday night we went to another pub in Reykjavík
and med some people there , it was okei , Irish singer there
we had fun .

so tomorrow night we are gonna have a ceilidh dance and I am calling people and come and have some fun with us . :)

I hope this will help me to get some people to come and play with us
and how to do this , not many people here that are doing this .



more later .
bless Skarpi .

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 03 May 10 - 11:04 AM

sounds like fun, & a good way of attracting new people to your music.

did your Mudcat badge arrive in time?

sandra

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 03 May 10 - 12:37 PM

hi Sandra , the letter came today :O) thanks , I showed all
the picture :O) and Bill Sable knew some of you :O)

I think we are planning to invade Forojar( Færeyjar) Islands this autumn
or next year hahaha after last night :O) .

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 03 May 10 - 08:51 PM

Wow. I'm never really here anymore, and missed this totally.

Couldn't have come right now, anyway, but it's nice to dream.

Glad you all had a nice visit.

Dani

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 03 May 10 - 09:33 PM

Skarpi, when your visitors leave, you'll be able to have a rest & start building your strength up, & making plans for the invasion!

It's been years since we saw Bill.

sandra

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 03 May 10 - 10:44 PM

well I have to try to get to visit Bill, Ray, Andrea , Letty
and Daug , of course we miss Wolfgang he´d had to go early .

England this Summer that´s a goal ....

just home from a session and whiskey ..

and they sang so great songs I never have heard before ,
Letty has a great voice ..wonderful instrument she has :O) .



Ceilidh dance tomorrow night , at the selfgathering place so more
fun coming up .

all the best Skarpi

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 05 May 10 - 06:35 AM

that ceilidh was a hit :O)it was amazing .
I think the people who came will keep this in their minds for a
long time .

Well they have left to England , I am told its still free zone
for flights .

they will be tired after all this .

Letty is still in Iceland ... leaving tomorrow ..
I am trying to learn her Dutch name , its a tricky one :O)

So I hope you had a great time here , many musical people
did not turn up to do what they promised sorry about that ,
but it turned out to be a great weekend.

The plan was to teach you how to do the Icelandic old dances...
but the people who where coming did not show up also to hear some Icelandic sea songs
played by accordian , so instead
you showed us how to dace ceilidh :O) and thank you so much for that .
I was asked to give you , their thanks for the time last night :O)

I hope the trip home went well , and if you think you had forgot something , just let me know , I am going up there tomorrow .

all the best Skarpi Iceland .

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: maeve
Date: 05 May 10 - 08:18 AM

Congratulations on a successful and fun gathering, Skarpi. I can't imagine how you managed it with all you are juggling right now. Well done!

maeve

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: mouldy
Date: 05 May 10 - 01:03 PM

I'm Back!

Had a wonderful time and met lots of wonderful people - despite developing a lousy cold and probably infecting most of 'em! I thought all the dancing I did at last night's ceilidh would have sweated it out!
The night in the Dubliner pub in Rejkavik was amazing! That choir were something else...and great fun. We played Swedish masquerade and they all just got up and danced it! So that's yet another country that knows it (they do it in Germany too).

I'm somewhat lacking in the sleep dept, and I'm under orders from Bill to go down the pub to the session tonight....and I will.

Andrea

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: GUEST
Date: 05 May 10 - 01:36 PM

I wish I could be there with you in that session :O)

glad you are home save .

kv Skarpi

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: GUEST,Wolfgang (no cookie on this access)
Date: 05 May 10 - 04:07 PM

It was great. Thanks to Skarpi for the perfect organisation.

One funny incident: "Give a big applause to this great Irish Ceilidh Band" said an Irish singer as we left the pub and the applause went to four English, one Dutch, and one Icelandic "Irish Musicians".

Á Sprengisandi

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 06 May 10 - 03:02 AM

ta for the link - I followed the text & could hear many of the individual words - wouldn't want to try to repeat them, tho!

sandra

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: bill\sables
Date: 06 May 10 - 10:18 AM

The whole event was most enjoyable once we arrived in Manchester on the Friday. We started out in Selby station North Yorkshire waiting to catch the 8 07 train for Manchester, due to a points failure the train didn't come;
"Any time you choose, take off your shoes,
Buy yourself a one way ticket to the blues.
Resign yourself to fate, the trains are always late.
Relax."
So we eventually caught another train for Leeds hoping to change there. We were sitting on the next train to Manchester Airport when news arrived that someone had jumped on to the line between Leeds and Huddersfield and could we leave the train and get onto a bus.
"Never mind the garbage on the carriage floor,
Ignore the vomit sticking to the lavatory door.
Rely on us to fail, We're good old British Rail
Relax."
The two busses, which they supplied for a train full of passengers, were of course full, and it was now about 2 hours to take off. One of the rail staff asked if anyone was in a hurry, this is where things started going good, because when we said we were she rushed us off and put us in a taxi all the way to the airport.
An uneventful flight except for when the pilot mentioned the volcano on the right and every passenger surged to the right of the plane. On landing we were met by Wolfgang and then Letty and rented a 7 seater car to carry 6 people luggage and instruments and later supermarket food so it was quite a crush. Scarpi met us after dinner that night and we played in his local pub.
Saturday we visited the Volcano and did the usual tourist photo thing followed by dinner at Scarpi's where we ate, among other things, "Whale Meat" which was very good (Scarpi did, however, sing the 'Last of the Great Whales') and we followed this with a trip to an Irish pub which Wolfgang mentioned earlier.
Sunday was a trip to an historic church, gyesers and waterfalls and another Irish pub joined by a choir from Faroe Islands
Monday it rained and we had, fortunatly,planned a shoping trip to Reykjavik, Doug went swimming and we played a few tunes in the Self Gathering place that night.
Tuesday was bright again and we visited another church and a very old town near the sea with lots of picturesque colourful houses and finished the day with a ceilidh for the local community which seemed a great success.
Wednesday, One hour's sleep and we were on our way to the Airport again, said goodbye to Letty who stayed another day, and an uneventful flight back to Manchester, which was still open, and then a very good train trip back to Selby.
All in all we did a lot of things, we saw a lot of places and wonderful scenery, we played a lot of tunes, we had a lot of laughs, we met a lot of great people especally Scarpi and his lovely wife, We ate a lot of food, and we now have a lot of fond memories of the Iclandic Euro Gathering.
Bill

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 May 10 - 10:26 AM

Sounds good Bill - Work prevented me joining you !
And you really should credit Terry Docherty for his re write of Leon Redbones's Relax ! Good song , Innit??

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Letty
Date: 06 May 10 - 02:57 PM

Safely back in the Netherlands after a great week.
Thank you Skarpi and all the others for a lovely time.
We had a nice view of the ash cloud from the plane this time!

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 06 May 10 - 03:28 PM

What a superb gathering – musically; the location with all Iceland had to offer; and meeting and making friends old and new.

The accommodation was perfect for our needs. We could play late into the night without disturbing anyone and sleep in as long as you needed in the morning to recover. Iceland has a stark, austere beauty with the most amazing sights – the hot springs at Geysir exploding water and steam every 4 to 6 minutes; the incredible double waterfall at Gulfoss; swimming in the Blue Lagoon geothermal pool; the pretty little churches dotted all over the island; the golf courses carved out of the most unforgiving landscape with thermal vents belching steam on the hillsides right above the fairways and greens; and, of course, an active volcano which was changing even as we were there. For me, it was a toss-up between: standing at the foot of the volcano, looking up at the ash cloud and clouds of steam generated by lava under the ice; or swimming in the milky blue waters of an open air geothermal pool set in the midst of the volcanic rocks.

There were some very special musical memories: walking slowly up the hill with our instruments, to be overtaken by a couple of young Iclelanders also carrying a guitar. We started chatting about who we were, Mudcat, their musical interests and the like, and they came with us to join our session for an hour or so. This same session had what seemed, at first, to be a large, noisy group in another part of the bar. They joined in singing and dancing to some of the well known tunes. They turned out to be a choir from the Faroe Islands, on tour. They requested a song and the whole pub went quiet as Letty, who is Dutch, gave a beautiful rendition Siúil a Ruin in Gaelic for a bunch of Faroese in Iceland. We, in return, asked them to sing and they gave us two songs full of wonderful harmonies. The night ended with all of us and the Faroese dancing in a big circle to a traditional Faroe Island song

Skarpi & Gunna invited us to their house for a barbecue where we had whale meat (delicious) and also to meet some musicians who brought some Icelandic instruments - langspil or langspiel, similar to a bowed dulcimer - which they let us try. I think managed a fair approximation of the tune they were playing.

Our final evening saw a ceilidh for the neighbouring families, with Bill successfully explaining all the dances even though he did it in Geordie. As Letty, Andrea, Skarpi and myself were required to make up the numbers in the dances, Ray gave a sterling performance, mostly solo, on the accordion throughout the evening.

It was great to meet up again with Skarpi, Wolfgang, Letty and Bill again and lovely to meet Andrea and Ray for the first time.

Thanks Skarpi for organising a very special gathering.


Doug

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 06 May 10 - 04:39 PM

Where are we going next year?


DC

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: Letty
Date: 06 May 10 - 05:44 PM

Faroer Islands, I'd say :)

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 06 May 10 - 05:48 PM

well you can always come back Daug :O) " you ain´t seen nothing yet "
hahahahahaha North west of Iceland or the East .......

thank you all for coming , and you are welcome back .
all the best Skarpi and Gunna Iceland .

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 06 May 10 - 05:50 PM

Yes Foreyjar Island , right I remember now .
thanks Letty
hmmm Gunna has a friend over there :O)
you want us to talk to her ? I know the name of the singers :O)

kv Skarpi

Subject: RE: Eurogathering Iceland in may new thread
From: skarpi
Date: 06 May 10 - 06:07 PM

Right , get contact tomorrow in Foreyjar :O)
so if you like , I can arrange it
kv Skarpi