Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010

Subject: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 05:08 PM

Judy and I have been busy planning another trip to the UK. We'd love to connect with as many Mudcat folks as we can on this trip, and there are a number of folk clubs, pubs, and a festival on our proposed tour where this might readily happen. We have some flexibility, if there is something happening close by when we are not scheduled. We are open to suggestions.

Here's our schedule to date:

We fly into London (hopefully with my Stewart banjo) on Wednesday, September 1, and catch our breath .

Thursday I do C. Fox Smith research at the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich.

Friday and Sunday are currently unscheduled but Saturday, I believe, we'll be joining the Mudcat crowd at the Black Lion Pub in London.

Monday, September 6, we pick up our rental car, boot up the GPS, and we're off to the Navigation Inn in Buxworth with a spot at the nearby Stockport Folk Club (near Manchester). I'll be leading a song there based on a C. Fox Smith poem titled "The Jolly Bargeman" (which mentions drinking at The Navigation Inn, and some other songs based on C. Fox Smith poems. Tuesday, September 7, we're invited for a cruise on Ian Bruce's canal boat.

Wednesday, September 8, we're off north to Fleetwood to join up with Ron Baxter, Ross Campbell and company; I have a spot the next day at The Steamer gathering in Fleetwood and expect that my focus will be merchant sailor songs.

Friday, September 10, we motor over to Yorkshire to join Two Black Sheep & a Stallion at the Tap & Spile in York, continue the next evening at The Golden Fleece, and then it's on to the Golden Ball at Bishophill. I dare say I'll be leading some drinking songs and some sea shanties. Monday is recovery.

Lord knows what we'll be doing the rest of the week (still recovering or a side trip to Hull?) but we need to be at the Otley Festival on Saturday, September 18, to join Jim Saville for a proposed C. Fox Smith workshop (details still to be confirmed); Bob Watson is going to try to connect with us at the Festival.

Then it's back to London on Monday, September 20; turn in what's left of the rental car.

Finally we join the session at Cecil Sharp House on Tuesday, September 21. This will be my last opportunity to connect with some of the London Mudcatters.

Packing and last minute whatever Wednesday, September 22.

Then we fly out for Maine on Thursday, September 23.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble and JudyB

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 05:15 PM

Damn! Already one correction:

The Black Lion Mudcat session in London is Thursday, September 2, 7:30 pm.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Les from Hull
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 08:11 PM

I've invited Charley to the Wednesday afternoon session in the Black Boy in Hull, so any local Mudcatters who are free may care to join us in Ye Olde Black Boy, 2pm onwards.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: olddude
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 08:18 PM

Safe trip my dear friend. Have fun .. and leave Stonehenge the way you found it ok ...

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 08:46 PM

Les-

We are firm for the Black Boy in Hull, assuming the Wednesday is September 15.

However we were hoping for a session at the Druid Arms, last referenced by Bob Roberts.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: My guru always said
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 03:29 AM

Looks like you'll be having a Fab Time! We'll get to meet you at the Black Lion session but unfortunately can't help the next couple of days as we'll be pottering around with Max. Know you'll enjoy mooching around and catching your breath anyway. Enjoy!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 08:34 AM

While on this tour I''m looking forward to personally thanking the several intripid volunteers who helped Jim Saville and I complete the Cicely Fox Smith poetry on-line anthology at the Oldpoetry website: click here for website!

We have posted some 627 poems there to date, all the poems published in her own works and in Punch Magazine, and most of the ones published in other miscellaneous magazines.

I will also be bringing copies of The Sea Songs of Cicely Fox Smith, Volume 1, which include the 20 or so poems by her that I've adapted for singing and recorded, plus a sampling of poems adapted by others.

Here's a link to my website where the songbook and CD's are described: click here for website!

The songbook and CD's can also be ordered from the website.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Noreen
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 09:16 AM

Hi Charley, sounds a great trip you've got planned.

Does CFS call it Buxworth, or the original Bugsworth (which the locals decided they didn't like and changed it in 1930)? Whether or no, the locals still call it Buggy :)

Lovely countryside around there for sightseeing too. Have fun!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: bradfordian
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 10:55 AM

Charley, All being well, I hope to catch up with you in Fleetwood on 8/9th Sept.

brad

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 10:59 AM

Noreen-

We noted the confusion about the town name and will take care to be discrete. We're not exactly sure which Navigation Inn CFS was referring to and plunked for the one nearest Stockport where Ian Bruce resides.

We're seeing mixed reviews for The Navigation Inn itself and none of their phone numbers seem to be operational. Here are the ones we've tried:

01663-732072 (from official website)
01663-732308 (from another website)

Everyone seems to agree that the food is mediocre but maybe the reviews (some were also pretty dated) were posted by the competition.

Cheerly,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 11:02 AM

Well, if your fun on the night of Wed Sep 8 gets cancelled, slip into the Leopard in Burslem(Stoke-on-Trent) in the evening.Just down the road from Buxworth. See the very boatie Boat Band, and also the very boatie(and American) Spider John Koerner.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: GUEST,Ian Bruce
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 11:25 AM

The Navigation Inn in Buxworth/Bugsworth had new owners a year ago and things have much improved. The landlord/landlady are now very welcoming, which couldn't be said in the past. Though it is always dangerous to recommend eating establishments as these can vary on a daily basis, there is a new chef at the Navigation Inn and every meal I (our my friends) have had there has been very good.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 11:29 AM

Telephone and contact details for Navigation Inn, Brookside, Buxworth, High Peak, Derbyshire, SK23 7NE :
Telephone : [phone]    E-mail : [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 12:16 PM

I've spoken to Janet, the landlady of the Navigation Inn in Buxworth, and it appears that these out-of-date reviews are not helping their business. This is very unfortunate. The pub is very welcoming with good quality food and we need to support our local pubs or they will all disappear.

Janet has suggested that Charlie sing a few songs in the pub on the Tuesday night (7th Sept)after our canal boat trip, and so anyone who can make it would, I am sure, be very welcome to join the Bugsworth Tipplers. Perhaps you have to be a student of industrial archaeology to get that, sorry!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 02:44 PM

If you're back in London on 20 September, it would be great to see you both at the Herga folk club, HA5 3TJ ....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: gnu
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 03:25 PM

olddude... "leave Stonehenge the way you found it"

I didn't know it was you that found it.

Congrats and bon voyagies.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: JudyB
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 03:29 PM

Thanks for the update, Ian, and we are looking forward to Tuesday night at the Navigation Inn! I did see a newer review that sounded as if it might be a different place - so happy to hear that we get the same charming location - and good food! And I'm also glad to learn that we won't need to navigate too far after a few pints in the pub!

Thanks again!
JudyB (Charlie's wife)

PS Thanks, Kitty! I'm not quite sure if we'll be coming back the 20th or the 21st, but it sounds great if we can do it!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 04:12 PM

Looks like everything is working out for the better. Thanks to Ian, we are booked at the Navigation Inn. Given its proximity to Manchester, it may well have been the Inn that C. Fox Smith was most familiar with and used in her poem "The Jolly Bargeman." We'll see if we can find her initials carved anywhere.

I'm not sure what was going on with out international cellphone calling to the Navigation Inn but it was probably some problem at our end with the numerical codes. We were dialing "011" for international calls and then "44" for the UK but maybe the codes have changed more recently than our antique phone book.

We are sorry to hear that the Druid's Arms no longer exists in Hull. Maybe it was a figment of Bob Roberts' imagination.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Aug 10 - 11:42 AM

It's looking more like we won't be able to make the Black Lion gathering on Thursday, September 2. After getting out of the National Maritime Museum at 5 pm, I may need to decompress, have a drink with my fellow researcher, and then a leisurely dinner at the Trafalgar Restaurant. I think we'll try to find a place to stay in Greenwich for the night.

Judy (who is a volunteer forum administrator for Hancock Wildlife in British Columbia) also has some eagle webcam friends she wants to connect with that are off to the Southwest, and we need to figure out where that is going to happen that weekend.

If anyone has a recommendation for a nice but moderately priced place to stay in and around Greenwich, we would be very appreciative. Or we can shake the dice and plunk for what we can find from guidebooks or websites.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Les from Hull
Date: 21 Aug 10 - 02:19 PM

If you get time, check out Maritime Books, 66 Royal Hill (near the NMM) for a great range of new and secondhand books.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Aug 10 - 10:23 PM

Thanks, Les. I love a good book store.

Last time around we got to spend some time sorting through books at Hay-on-Way in Wales, the place where all used books end up!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Aug 10 - 10:17 AM

Thanks to the good work of Jim Saville (aka ShantyFreak) the details of our C. Fox Smith workshop at the Otley Festival have been nailed down:

September 18th, Saturday 2.30 pm, Black Horse Public House - Upstairs

Upstairs is the old Otley Folk Club meeting room, spacious and with fair accoustics. The location is good too, very easy to find.

What we'll present are poems composed by Cicely Fox Smith (1882-1954), and songs based on such poems. There will also be time for questions and discussion. I'll bring copies of my Sea Songs of Cicely Fox Smith songbook as well as CD's.

Few people have done as good a job of creating nautical poems from the stories deep-water sailors tell as Smith has done. And over 70 of her poems have been recently recorded as songs, not all of them having to do with the sea.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 06:17 PM

We've had to drop plans to attend the Black Lion session with Max and other London Mudcatters. Thursday, September 2, has unfortunately gotten too busy in Greenwich.

I'm also looking forward to the singers session at Cecil Sharp House on Tuesday, September 21, 8 pm. This will be the best chance for me to connect with London Mudcatters. Looks as if we'll be basing ourselves in a nearby hotel in Camden Town for several days.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: GUEST,Jim Jack from Fourum
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 06:24 PM

Not responding to this thread, Charley - sorry but trying to contact Bradfordian from posting on 19 August, but have only just come across inputs in 2002!! Have posted a couple of info items on the Gunnerside Gill thread if Bradfordian still interested. Happy listening! Have a good trip to UK Charley!

---

Greg Stephens and Bradfordian notified by personal message.
-Joe Offer, Forum Moderator
[e-mail]-

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 07:04 PM

We have a gig on 15 Septe Les but if I can cadge any time off work and can drag Hazel to Hul we may be able to pop in for a quick one!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 08:20 PM

Linda-

We would love to meet you and swap a few songs. You might be interested in some of our Nova Scotia fishing songs.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: stallion
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 03:28 AM

Anyone wishing to come on Saturday 11th, if you want to have a sing and play you will be more than welcome, find a way to get in touch PM me but it would be nice to know how many we are catering for. Linda & Hazel, you wanna come? might be able to find you a bed?
Peter

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 06:13 AM

Mmmmm....... Will check with H.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 09:00 AM

The nice thing about our visit to York is that we'll be there about 10 days, enough time to connect with a whole lot of folks and also see some of the countryside and shore.

I do hope that folks find out about the C. Fox Smith workshop that Jim Saville and I are coordinating at the Otley Festival; it is not featured on the Festival Website and it's unclear to me how anyone would find out about it except by word of mouth. Here's the location and time again:

September 18th, Saturday 2.30 pm, Black Horse Public House - Upstairs

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Pistachio
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 10:38 AM

It so happens I'm meeting my son for lunch in York on the 11th...so that may well tie in with saying hello. I'd bring Linda too. Don't know how long we can stay?
(PM to Stallion!)
Re: 15th in Hull - I'm on a course, cycling around Beverley !! (don't ask) but would love to dash over about 4 ish..... in the car if that's not too late (Les?)
(PM to Les!)

Hazel.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 01:51 PM

Just so we know the details where is the Tap & Spile in York and when are you planning to be there? just direct me from M & S or any other large retail outlet-I'm bound to know where they are!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 04:44 PM

"where is the Tap & Spile in York?"

We'd like to know that as well but probably Peter will guide us there.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: stallion
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 06:50 AM

Linda, Monkgate, It is quite near Monkgate bar, just outside the walls, nestles between the GUM clinic and St Johns College, as for directions, find The Minster, with your back to the Rose window take the main road left (walking, blocked to traffic) keep walking (150 yards) thro the hole in the wall (Monk bar)strait on thorough the traffic lights pub is 50 yards on the left. It isn't far from M&S but lordy the windy streets of medieval York. Up parliament street towards St Sampsons Square, turn right on to church street, straight on to Goodramgate, turn right at the cross keys, straight on thro afore mentioned hole in wall, the rest you know, it is not the quickest but the easiest to give directions! The Golden Fleece, of course, is opposite the side door of M&S on Pavement
Peter

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 08:52 AM

Peter-

Sounds like a snap!

We do wonder if our GPS unit would figure out how to get there, "thro the hole in the wall"! Poor little thing might fry its tiny brain.

Remind me, the next time you're in Maine, to take you on a boat trip through "The Little Hell Gates," preferably while you're being towed on water skies.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: stallion
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 01:15 PM

Oh forgot, hazel & linda - Friday night - Tap & Spile and Saturday night at the Golden Fleece, I am sure we can hook up sometime

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 09:58 AM

Packing and re-packing!

We could well spend a year following up all the interesting leads and invitations that have been coming in but we only have a little more than three weeks.

How's the weather? Should we be bringing our mackinaws?
Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 10:03 AM

Here's a link to the type of "mackinaw" we could bring: Click here!

We realize that the word has many meanings and may confuse some on the other side of the Great Pond.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: bradfordian
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 10:27 AM

And don't forget your fishing waders; the river Ouse is prone to bursting its banks ;-)

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 11:51 AM

Weekend 3/4/5 September: 5000 Morris Dancers at the South Bank. All free.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 04:50 PM

"Fishing waders," check!

5000 Morris Dancers! Sounds dangerous.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: stallion
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 04:35 AM

Also Saturday afternoon, there is a mini beer festival at "village Bishy Road" pubs, The Swan & The Slip Inn. Bishy road is a very trendy shopping area & dining area these days, it sorta happened around us! When we first moved into the area 30 years ago 75% of the shops were boarded up and most of the area had just recieved a reprieve from the bulldozer (inner ring road dual carriagway been cancelled). Anyway we might take Charlie and Judy there, we were asked to perform so maybe we could all do an afternoon slot or just busk on the grass bank if the weather is good .
Weather is up and down, sou'wester probably not needed but a berghaus maybe. It is still quite warm and moist here or as the irish might put it "soft".

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 06:59 AM

Weather or not, I see it's a case of pack everything we can, assuming there's any room left after we pack CDs and songbooks. Then, once we're in the UK:

We opens the pane and pops out the flame.
Just to see how the wind do blow.

Here in Maine it continues to be a bright and warm summer, with a major rain storm every other week. Judy and I got out in the boat the other day and saw at least 12 ospreys, two parents and their two fledglings doing barrel rolls and nose dives around their nest by the boat landing. We also saw a majestic pair of eagles perched on the top of a pine tree across the cove. Someday we ought to spend three weeks vacationing in Maine!

Time to make breakfast!

Oh, do they still brew coffee in the UK?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 07:19 AM

Restaurants, cafes and coffee shops do all manner of indescribable things to ground coffee in the UK and manage to make it taste awful 90% of the time. The popularity of the French cafetiere shows that the British are at least trying to get away from 'instant' coffee. But what's the preferred American method? Do you still use the metal can hanging over the camp-fire?

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: stallion
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 03:59 PM

I am no judge of coffee I drink de-caf latte with sugar in it!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 08:23 PM

We may just bring our own coffee beans and chew them!

Of course we'll probably never get them through customs.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 10:25 PM

The UK has Starbucks now, but alas the last time I was there I saw no Dunkin Donuts. I'm too working class for Starbucks.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 11:35 PM

I thought I heard the Ol' Man say.
"There's coffee on the stove-oh-oh-oh,
There's coffee on the stove!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: stallion
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 03:34 AM

We have three indian restaraunts around bishy road..........
Fire down be-lo-w o o o Fire down below

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: stallion
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 05:04 AM

I ran the crap Brit coffee thing past Jo, she said "yes we do, and they do crap tea" Anyway we have a cafetiare and a machine that does pods and somewhere in the cupboard a perculator and a filter do-hicky. If we really get desperate I will build a fire in the back garden and stick a can on it!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 08:16 AM

Peter-

I think we'll fare fine. Who needs coffee when there's so much good ale!

Wow, are we together. We've just finished backing up our computers onto an external hard drive which we'll transport today to my mother's farm.

Now we need to provide detailed instructions to our cat-sitter, on how best to comply with Tilahun and Teji's demands while we're away.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 08:33 AM

This time tomorrow we should be at Heathrow, hopefully not meditating on where my banjo might be.

We're packing a pair of computer notebooks and should be able to update this journal as we go.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble and JudyB
Maine

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: JennyO
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 10:29 AM

Hi Charlie and Judy! I'm in the UK now with my new husband, Rob, who I met through Mudcat. I've been looking at your itinerary, and trying to see if our paths will cross anywhere. We'll be at the Wail this weekend, then Bromyard next weekend (10th-12th), then heading back up to Aberdeen where we are presently living. It looks like you might be somewhere in Yorkshire during the week, so wondering if we could catch up with you on our way back - maybe Monday 13th. We could go that way if it's possible. I'll send you a PM, tho you might already be on the plane.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Barb'ry
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 11:45 AM

Would love to meet up - can offer you both a bed near to Fleetwood if you would like to stay - perhaps we will get down to the Steamer when you're there.
Barb'ry

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: sciencegeek
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 12:21 PM

Charlie, you and Judy have a safe trip and loads of fun... as much as you can stand!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 12:26 PM

Hi Charley - the way Ron describes it you'll be around on the Wednesday evening for a general blether at The Steamer & Thursday for a wee trawl around the vicinity with Ron & Ross taking in places of interest (which are of course legion) before The Steamer on the evening. I could link up on the Thursday with Ron & Ross, with a few suggestions for places that might interest someone such as yourself, such as the old trawler hulks on the estuary (tides permitting & stout footwear an essential!) and of course Skippool Creek...

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: My guru always said
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 04:45 PM

Safe journeys & good luck at Greenwich!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 07:27 AM

We are safely resident in Greenwich after a blessfully uneventful flight, and an adventurous transit via the tube from Heathrow to Greenwich. We're going to relax for the rest of the day.

We're all set for housing in Fleetwood but thanks for the offer.

JennyO- we'll get back to you via PM with regard to meeting in Yorkshire.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble and JudyB

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: stallion
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 07:54 PM

welcome to old blighty young man

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: maeve
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 08:01 PM

Have a great trip.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: GUEST,Charley Noble
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 04:18 AM

Not a single murder last night at our hotel. Not even a scream! However, I had the strangest set of very vivid dreams, including one in which an engineering experiment went terribly wrong and the entire lab building disappeared in a flash of light! What could it all mean?

The banjo appears to be in good shape, except someone at customs evidently retuned it.

We stepped across the street and had a couple of dark drafts at the Old Rose & Crown. The King's Arms is down the street but we haven't found the Ship yet.

The doubledecker buses are here in full force as are the Dr. Who phone booths.

The nautical gift shop from which I bought my Bob Roberts CD ten years ago no longer carries any sea music. They did have a generic rack of World Music.

We visited the site where the Cutty Sark is being rebuilt but couldn't see much through the plastic.

We had a lovely seafood and pasta dinner at the Beachcombers. Contrary to popular rumor not all sea food in the UK is deep-fat-fried. We'll probably go back there again.

I'm all signed in a the Maritime Museum for research today and should have a lovely time sifting through their C. Fox Smith collection. I only have general descriptions of what is in each box and I'm looking forward to sifting through it all.

Weather looks great for the week!

We've had our breakfast and the coffee was acceptable.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: GUEST,Ebor_fiddler
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 04:06 PM

Beware of Southern "beer"! (Pete can explain).
(Singed)

A FRIEND.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 04:25 PM

So much good ale, so little time!

We did put in a full day at the Maritime Museum, sifting through their collection of C. Fox Smith material. Found some very nice contemporary reviews of her works, some photographs that I've never seen, and a few that I've only seen rendered as photocopies of photocopies. There were also a few miscellaneous poems that need to be checked out and some short stories. Alas, no personal journal.

Chris Roche was working with me. So we got to check over everything twice, and had excellent conversations over lunch and dinner. Tomorrow Chris has kindly invited me for a ride over to Chatham to check out what's left of the old naval shipyard.

Saturday I may even get a chance to wander around a few old corners of Greenwich!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 03:13 AM

Here are a few more notes about our Museum visit with regard to C. Fox Smith:

We now have a better photo of Cicely as a young woman, and one of her as a girl of ten or so.

We also found one likely unpublished poem of the "Billy Magee family" titled "A Meeting" which starts "In from the sea, Lone as could be, Who should I meet but Billy Magee" which doesn't seem to correlate with our existing inventory.

There were also some interesting correspondence (not as much as I would like) and many more reviews (some very interesting) and copies of short stories that were published in newspapers.

There were no manuscripts of poems on the scale of what Danny Macleod has. I was hoping for more.

We didn't go through every folder they had but probably sifted through the ones that I am primarily interested in. The other folders are primarily research materials such as ship's logs, biographical notes relating to various mariners, and a few other miscallaneous things.

No journals or diaries. Alas!

The staff at the Museum were very helpful but if you want to look at something it takes several business days for them to retrieve it from their off-site warehouse. One searches their inventory of files on-line in advance. We checked out:

FXM/14, FXM/16, FXM/17, FXM/19 and FXM/20

I was working with shantysinger Chris Roche. So we went over everything twice and both of us photographed the more interesting bits.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: stallion
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 02:42 PM

Hi Charley, Gerry called me this evening, he can't make saturday cos he is on a school field trip but he is back sunday afternoon and hopes to catch up with us at the Golden Ball, he is adamant that he is not going to ever play again, retired completely.
Pete

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 02:18 PM

Judy and I just spent a nice afternoon motoring in and around Greenwich with John Hills and his wife Vera (of Elsie's Band). They both used to live around here and we revisited some of their favorite haunts: the old pub on Blackheath, Carleton Hall(?), several large parks with lovely flower beds and deer, and there was time for lots of chat about songs and singers.

Yesterday, Chris Roche drove in and picked me up for a visit to the Chatham Dockyard and we spent a splendid day climbing around the BIG SHED (testing its acoustics), climbing aboard the Ganet (a victorian metal warship), viewing the incredible rope walk (1600 feet of it), the lifeboat exhibit, and the other museum exhibits. All the while there was a running commentary, sometimes focused on what we were looking at but more often ranging around the world to other ports, ships and singers. What an amzing place, and how it must have teemed with workers in its time.

Tomorrow we take the train to Wimbledon to meet with one of Judy's friends, one she knows because of their mutual interest in watching eagle webcams. The next day we collect our rental car and head North to Stockport (just south of Manchester) where I have a spot with their folk club gathering, and where we'll be staying nearby at the Navigation Inn.

This is great fun!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: GUEST,JennyO
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 02:37 PM

Hi Charlie. It might be a couple more days before I can see your PM. I'm at the Wail and only have internet on my phone. I'm not logged in here and when i tried, it said I had the password wrong. When I get back on my laptop on Monday I should be right, cos my computer remembers it.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: GUEST,Charley Noble
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 03:51 AM

JennyO-

Probably the best time to hook up is when we're in North Yorkshire, starting Friday.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, packing up in Greenwich

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: JennyO
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 06:27 AM

Hi again Charlie. I managed to get onto the internet at the B & B we are staying at (they gave me the wrong code yesterday) so I'm logged in here now, but there's no PM from you. I did send you one a few days ago. Best day(s) for us would be just after we leave Bromyard next weekend, so Monday or Tuesday the 13th and 14th. Anyway, we can talk details in a few days.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: JennyO
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 09:50 AM

Refresssshhhh!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: gnu
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 01:19 PM

I hope you are getting some pics.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: John J
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 07:20 PM

I've just got home from Stockport Folk Club where I was delighted to meet Charley - I can report that he's alive and well, surviving on good English ale!

Charley gave a very good account of himself, singing songs of Cicely Fox-Smith.

I'm hoping I can get over to Bugsworth tomorrow evening to catch up with him once again before he heads over to York at the weekend.

JJ

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: AlanG
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 07:24 PM

John, I hope to make it to Bugsworth tomorrow, but if I can't make it can you get me a book or CD and I'll reimburse you when (if) I get paid.

Alam

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 06:30 AM

Surfacing again!

John, it was fine to meet you and your friend as well at the Stockport Folk Club gathering at the Midway, and to hear your robust singing! It was a fine session, with quite a variety of singers. I'll provide more notes when I'm back in the States.

We had a lovely time yesterday motoring Ian Bruce's narrowboat "Moonlight Shadow" from Stockport to Buxsworth. We started out with bright sunshine, stopped to walk down the 12 locks at Marple (?) and admired the great stone viaduct, had a lovely lunch and then weathered a raging thunder and lightning storm for half an hour. I was learning how to steer the boat while Ian scrambled ashore to lift or swing bridges around before we sped through. Several small canal serpents got tangled in the prop and flotillas of ducks narrowly avoided being run down. All great fun for us and we made it to the Navigation Inn at the Busworth Basin well before dinner. We did about a half an hour of singing later in one of the public rooms and people seemed appreciative. Alas, none of our new friends from the Stockport gathering were able to join us (maybe they are still wandering the rural roads looking for the place!). We could have used some more singers, perhaps, but we were really quite ready to turn in early.

Today it's on to Fleetwood to connect with Ron Baxter and Ross Campbell at The Steamer.

We both are recovering from colds we probably collected on the flight over but we're having great fun!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble and JudyB

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Shantyfreak
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 09:05 AM

It promises to be a cracking night at The Steamer Thursday judging from the comments there over the weekend. I managed to get to a lot of sessions there over the festival week from openers to survivors.
Ron, Ross and the regulars are looking forward to your session tommorrow and I am sorry to be missing it myself.
Looking forward to Otley the following week or perhaps someplace in-between.
Jim

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 05:42 PM

Great set from Charley tonight, lovely songs from Judy too, all the more meaningful after a fine day around Fleetwood soaking it all in - including some hands-on maritime archaeology amongst the old hulks and a Sea-sick Shanty onboard the Jacinta. Perfect weather too!

Anyway, Charley - here's the website with more info on the hulks:

http://www.fleetwood-fishing-industry.co.uk/fleetwood-wrecks/

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: JennyO
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 06:52 AM

Hi Charlie. We are off to Bromyard Festival today, and again I may not have any internet during the weekend. As I said, the best days to meet would be Monday or Tuesday next week - preferably Monday. I'll send you a PM with my mobile number. If something can be arranged, we'll go back to Aberdeen via Yorkshire.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 02:00 PM

Surfacing again! This time we're in York at Peter's (ofTwo Black Sheep & a Stallion) house, where we'll be for a few days before shifting to Martin's house around the corner.   

It was a lovedly drive through the hills to here from Fleetwood today, fields lined with hedgerows or stone walls, ancient brick or stone barns and farm houses, sheep and cattle grazing in the fields. Rain changing to bright sunshine and back to rain.

Yesterday in and around Fleetwood was certainly great fun. Ross and Sean took us out to see the sites in town but the best for me was the walk out to the point to view the abandoned ships rusting and rotting in the marsh grass. Surreal! We would view them from afar and never seemed to get any coser to them. Eventually we found a path through the marsh, without a water hazard, and were able to examine them from a few feet away.

The session last evening at The Steamer was great. Even more impressive given that most everyone there was still burned out by the Festival. Bradfordian, one of my C. Fox Smith researchers, was there and I was able to convey my personal thanks for his amazing work on sifting through 30 years of Punch Magazines looking for poems that C. Fox Smith hadn't published in her own poetry books. "Mobile Bay" was one of his finds and I was able to sing that as part of my set. The host band Spitting on the Roast (I believe that's what they called temselves) did a brillant job. Sean and his wife led two songs with lovely harmonies and instrumentation. Ron Baxter was mecurial! And Ross Campbell did two more of Ron's songs backed up with his concertinas. Bradfornian recited two of his favorite C. Fox Smith poems. There were several others in the circle but other people will have to join in to sort them out.

Judy led "A Parting" and "Outward Bound," two C. Fox Smith songs.

I led "West Indies Blues" and "A Cowardly Act," based on a cow sinking a Japanese trawler a story which folks appeared to be familar with. My set included "Bound Away" by Bill Adams, "Mobile Bay" and "Pagoda Anchorage" by C. Fox Smith, "Clan Alpine" by Ron Baxter, and "Mid-Watches" by Burt Franklin Jenness.

We're doing supper now so I have to run but we had a great time in Fleetwood, and special thanks to our hosts John and Carol!

This evening we'll be at the regular York Folk Club Session at the Tap and Spile, 8:30 pm. Everyone is invited!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, resident in York, UK

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 05:17 PM

Sounds like you're having a fabulous time, hope all goes smoothly with the rest of your trip. Will you be back in London for a time? I've lost track of what you're intending to do!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 03:59 AM

Don't forget the bakery in the Shambles, Charley. For more:

The Mystery Bread Shop

The is the best bread England has to offer; world class I'd say...

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 01:08 PM

Peter led us through "The Shambles" today on his guided tour of the old walled city. We had a splendid time climbing up on the ramparts, dodging into the gatehouse to avoid the oncoming storm, and then on past more old walls, the river, The Minster with all its bells ringing. We finally made it to The Swan where the boys were booked for leading some drinking songs for a beer fest. I got to lead a couple of shanties as well, and got to sample some fine Old Bear porter. Then we shifted to The Slip Yard where we sang some more drinking songs and sampled some more brew. Hard work but someone has to do it!

Last night we were at a session at The Tap & Spile but the noise level made it quite a challenge for me, still recovering from the air passage cold. There were some fine instrumentals and drinking songs. I hadn't realized that Martin was such a fine fiddler. There was a small crowd of younger folks there, archeology students, seated in the center who seemed to enjoy all the singing and joined in on the choruses. I tried out a few songs and tunes, including the American version of "Dead Dog Scrumpy" collected by Cecil Sharp in the Appalachians.

Tonight we venture out again to The Golden Fleece for a session of songs in an upper room of the tavern. I'm looking forward to a quieter evening.

Judy and I have certainly been made welcome here. It's really wonderful! And we'll be here in some form or other for another week. Do check the schedule near the beginning of this thread. I haven't a clue what happens tomorrow but it will be great fun!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 01:26 PM

The Golden Fleece

Ah yes, the - er Most Haunted pub in York I believe!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: stallion
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 07:08 PM

ha the most haunted pub my a**e, any way a good night had by all half a dozen short of what i expected but hey what a treat for all present and people wandering away shaking their heads in disbelief, we had the treat of Pistachio, Diad, Phill Cerny, Bradfordian, 2BS&S, John Cherry, Judy and, of course, Charlie

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: gnu
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 07:10 PM

What a great trip. Enjoying the narration here!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: My guru always said
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 02:35 AM

Just checked your Itinerary Charley, looks like our last chance to meet you & Judy this trip would be at Cecil Sharp House on the 21st. Can't make it I'm afraid but know you'll be having a Fab time. Enjoy & safe journeys!
Hils

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Noreen
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 12:56 PM

charley, check your pm's, jenny and rob trying to arrange a meeting with you!

I'm enjoying your travels, fro where i am in crete! :)

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Micca
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 02:55 PM

Charley, I will make every endeavour to be at Sharps on 21 Sept, Barring unforseen glitchs, sorrow I havent been able to catch up with you yet but "Family stuff" got in the way!!.
Micca

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 03:20 PM

Here's a slight revision of our remaining schedule.

This Sunday evening Peter and I will be joining the gang at the Golden Ball at Bishophill, 8:30 pm. I dare say I'll be leading some drinking songs and some sea shanties. Monday we go up to see the coast, Scarborough and other nearby town.

Lord knows what we'll be doing the rest of the week (still recovering?) but we do have an intriguing invitation to join the Hull and District Elderly Gentlemen's Afternoon Binge Drinking Club at their regular Wednesday afternoon session in Ye Olde Black Boy on 150 High Street, 2 pm; the pub is located at the south end of the High Street (between Bishop Lane and Scale Lane) in the "Old Town" area, near the River.

We need to be at the Otley Festival on Saturday, September 18, 2:30 pm to join Jim Saville for a C. Fox Smith workshop at the Black Horse Public House (upstairs); Bob Watson is going to try to connect with us at the Festival.

Then it's back to London on Monday, September 20; turn in what's left of the rental car, and settle into the Holiday Inn Express on Finchley Road adjacent to Camden Town.

Next we join the folk music session at Cecil Sharp House on Tuesday, September 21, 8 pm. This will be my last opportunity to connect with some of the London Mudcatters.

The pace has certainly picked up since we surfaced in York. Today we had a lovely visit to Castle Howard with Peter, Ron, Martin and their families. And then we had a great country meal at a nearby restaurant. I will do better with filling in on what we got to see but I've got to run now.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 03:29 PM

Am trying to switch days off to join you for the afternoon in Hull rather than a mad dash after work!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Pistachio
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 03:47 PM

I certainly enjoyed a 'haunted' evening in the Golden Fleece - think it's simply the floor slope that send one all a quiver... the list is more than a few degrees from Port to Starboard and I was glad I sat looking uphill. Lovely to meet Charlie and Judy and have a chance to view his book, and grateful thanks to Peter and Jo for their hospitality and for feeding me when I arrived early!
As I left 'early' I could hear the singing as I returned to my car and couldn't resist sneaking up a lane to confirm it was the rear window, wide open, releasing tunes to the restaurant staff out the back! They were singing along!!
Hope to meet again on Wednesday (in Hull) - and a reminder to C and J that 'Cottingham Live' is on, Wed 7.30 @ 'The Back Room' Hallgate Cottingham. It is a Guest night but Hissyfit are in as 'support' for David Swann(and friends) and we promise to sing Cape Farewell if you arrive! David is well worth listening to, and writes songs of his home area, Malton and the East Coast.
Regards, Hazel.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Les from Hull
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 03:56 PM

Charley - if you can get to Hull a little earlier in the day you can visit Hull Maritime Museum (between the Rail/Bus Station and the Black Boy and it's free entry) or the Arctic Corsair which is berthed quite close to the Black Boy and Wednesday is one of the days it's open to the public. There is a small charge but it's a conducted tour. If you want either of these options I'll be happy to meet up and be an additional guide.

Les

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 13 Sep 10 - 10:57 AM

Charley... you might want to post something to the Otley Folk Festival thread about your appearance there, as people reading that thread may not necessarily be reading this one -- but would (I'm sure) be extremely interested to know that you will be there.

Cheers -- YY

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Sep 10 - 07:04 AM

Savoy Tup , Savoy Street (North end of Waterloo Bridge , off the embanment) has a singaround early ish on Monday the 20th !! Earlyish being AFTER work before commuting home !! I should be there by about five forty five !

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Sep 10 - 05:17 PM

Surfacing again after a day of just wondering around old York. It's a lovely old city with wonderful architecture. I do swear to describe what we're experiencing here later in more detail, and the various sessions we attended. We do really appreciate the welcome we have received and the hospitality.

Yesterday Peter and Jo drove us down to Scarborough, then up the coast to Robin Hood's Bay (a lovely walk up and down to the boat landing) and then up to Whitby.

Tomorrow Martin is traveling with us by train to Hull where we'll arrive about 11 am and wander about viewing the harbour, the museum and the pubs. Looking forward to meeting Les, Linda and others at The Olde Black Boy at 2 pm. We're not sure when we're returning but the train schedule seems to have a lot of options.

I'll see if I can find the Otley thread to post some info about our C. Fox Smith workshop.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, in York

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Sep 10 - 07:54 PM

York has LONG been my favourite City to walk round , especially as you can walk round most of it on the walls

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 03:29 AM

Looking forward to seng you later on today Charley.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: stallion
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 08:07 AM

Charlie the new hub works a treat and much faster!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 02:39 PM

So the chances of getting Charley to Herga next Monday are getting slimmer....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 05:46 PM

Kitty-

Slim indeed! We are really having a whole lot of fun but it's easy to overextend ourselves.

Today Martin, Judy and I took the train from York to Hull to join the crowd at The Olde Black Boy. It was an interesting trip down, a totally different landscape of flat fields, irrigation ditches, and huge complexes of coal-burning generators. Then we paralleled the Humber River and slid into Hull.

No sooner had we disembarked from the train when we were met by Les (how did he figure out who we were? Maybe the banjo case gave me away!) who guided us over to the Maritime Museum where there were floors of exhibits: whaling, merchant marine, Naval, dock yards, marine art, ship models and a whole lot more.

Then we wandered down the docks to the Minerva Tavern (what a great space for singing!) where we had lunch and something to drink.

Next we dashed over to the session at the Black Boy where there was another fine room for singing, and filled with singers. I can't begin to list all who were there but included were Jim Saville (my partner on the C. Fox Smith Project), Jake who also has done some biographical research on C. Fox Smith, Hissyfit (Linda and Hazel), Les, and I'd really like to know the names of the others. The acoustics were superb and choruses and refrains were robust, even with unfamiliar songs.

I could certainly enjoy spending quite a bit of time swapping songs in Hull, and exploring other parts of the waterfront.

Afterward, Jim kindly escorted us to the train station (Martin had to leave earlier) and we caught the 7 pm train back to York. We're getting quite good at finding our way back to our home neighborhood.

Looks like we'll be spending the next two days doing more exploration in and around York. Saturday, we'll go out to the Otley Festival early.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, resident in York

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Les from Hull
Date: 16 Sep 10 - 07:55 AM

Yes, an excellent afternoon. The missing names were mudcatters Ossonflags and Bassic and non 'catters Dave and Rich. The redoubtable Mr Flags (Mick McGarry) should be at Otley at the weekend so you may have the pleasure of his company there.

I presume you've sampled the pleasures of York's museums (esp National Rail Museum and the Castle Museum) or perhaps you'll be museumed out by now!

Cheers, Les

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Les from Hull
Date: 16 Sep 10 - 02:03 PM

I had a look at the Roll and Go website and I didn't realise that you were from Richmond, Maine. You could always pop over to the original Richmond, North Yorks and pay homage. Richmond still prides itself on being the original Richmond and the mother town of the many other Richmonds around the world. It's got a nice castle, market square and other attractions but I like it 'cos it's the birthplace of the lovely Maggie (my girlfriend).

If you go try to visit what used to be the railway station, now a great cafe / art gallery / film theatre. There might be a folk singaround session in the Black Lion Friday evening.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Les from Hull
Date: 16 Sep 10 - 02:26 PM

You can travel by public transport in about an hour (train to Darlington, bus to Richmond). Use this site
to plan your journey. Of course you may be on your way to Otley, but it may make an interesting day out for you both.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Sep 10 - 02:06 PM

Les-

Thanks so much for filling in the missing names. And we are keeping busy!

We just returned from a lovely day at a falconry center where we got to see all kinds of raptors. We also got to see an owl, a vulture, a kestrel, and a great golden eagle go through their training routine. The birds seemed to really enjoy the workout.

Then we walked along a massive plateau (avoiding the gliders), surveyed the ruins of a giant abbey, and now we are recovering!

Tomorrow, it's the Otley Festival.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, resident in York

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Sep 10 - 04:08 AM

Yesterday we drove out to the Otley Festival, with Judy and the GPS navigating. We're getting quite good at roundabouts, anticipating which lane we should enter and when to shift over to exit. We used to just scream in terror!

We arrived in Otley well ahead of time, found a convenient car park, and then found Jim Saville waiting for us in front of the Festival Office. We all walked in and Jim mumbled the magic words that secured our passes. We also learned that our workshop had been relocated to Korks and rescheduled an hour after what was previously scheduled. Jim had made up some posters with the correct time and place and hopefully anyone who showed up at the deceased Black Horse was able to track us down. Bob Watson did manage to track us down.

I set in on a number of musical events, one in the back garden of a pub which featured "traveller songs" led by Mick with banjo and his wife Suzie with accordian or mandolin; they were great to listen to and watch. And I managed to swap one of my CD's, the one with "The Traveller" recoded on it, with Mick.

I then went next door to the Red Lion where I knew there was an open singing session somewhere upstairs. There was quite a crowd there but I managed to find some seats for myself and Judy. Some of our Hull friends were there as well. We heard some fine singing there as well, including some sea shanties. So when my turn came I led "Fire Marengo" which seemed to fill the room nicely. Judy did equally well leading "A Parting" by C. Fox Smith. The session ended with "Bully in the Alley" with some great harmonies.

About ten people found their way to our C. Fox Smith workshop and Jim and I had a fine time describing her life, Jim reciting poems and I filling in with songs based on her poems. Jim ("shantyfreak") now has my remaining stash of Songbooks if anyone is interested in acquiring one in the UK.

We then dashed over to another pub where Jim and Les Barker were doing a joint presentation of poems. The upstairs room was packed to the rafters but it certainly will be pleasant memory to treasure. Judy and I are familiar with Barker's work but only as rendered by others. He is a brilliant writer and a wonderful presenter. It is a miracle that the room survived the volume of groans and laughter.

I'll continue later with a description of the evening concert but now we need to go for breakfast and decide if we're returning to the Festival. The evil rain gods are at it again, I fear!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, resident in York

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Sep 10 - 05:00 PM

I failed to mention the stress of driving back last night after the final concert in the rain. What I wasn't used to was the orintation of the dimmed lights, with my right side light pointed extra low so that I couldn't see the center line. I'm not sure if this is common prqctice in the UK or something peculiar to our otherwise fine rental car.

Today we drove back in the rain to the Festival for the Sunday sea shanty session, which waqs fortunately relocated indoors. Robin was doing a good job of coordinating it and leading a few songs himself. Monkey Fist was the resident shanty group and did a couple of sets with fine harmony, spirit, and instruments. I particularly liked their rendition of "Ten Stone."

I got to hear Steve from Fore 'n' Aft lead a song about a ship's dog that I have to add to my "animals at sea set." I got to lead Bill Adam's "Bound Away" and my own song "Cowardly Act" which describes the sinking of a Japanese trawler by a falling cow. Jim Saville recited "Lee Fore Brace" by Cicely Fox Smith and his own version (I believe) of the landlocked shantyman. And Judy did another good job of leading "A Parting" by C. Fox Smith.

One of the nice things about this session is I got a chance to hear some very different versions of familiar shanties/sea songs as well as some entirely new ones.

There were two hours of singing altogether and I couldn't be happier.

Tomorrow we return to London and our next singing stop will be at Sharp's on Tuesday evening.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, still resident in York

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: GUEST,stallion on the Cost Brava
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 04:39 AM

Hola Charlie & Judy, you are getting about! Glad to see you are keeping up your exhausting schedule

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 04:57 AM

Peter and Jo-

We are certainly giving it our best! Hope you are all relaxing in sunny Barcelona.

I've also provided Martin with a file for the CFS Anthology. There's a Grimsby poem he's interested in as well as one about a country fiddler. He may even be intrigued by my setting for "Old Fiddle."

This morning everything looks bright with sunshine. I'm all packed while Judy is more systematically doing her packing.

Our trip back to London should be quite leisurely. Our goal is to be there before major rush hour, and drop the rental car off in Hampstead, in North London, and then get a cab to our nearby hotel.

Tomorrow I meet Chris Roche in London's old sailortown, and we'll see what we can find of old taverns, dockyards, shipping offices, and junk shops. Probably not much but we both have active imaginations and a lot of literary and musical leads to follow up. I wonder if "The Locker" is still there? Or "The Mahogany Bar"? Or "Tiger Bay"? Or Nan and Pol?

Then we'll all (Judy and her friend Pat) have dinner at an Italian restaurant in Camden Town a block or so from Sharp's. We plan to be at Sharp's early in an attempt to get a good table.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, preparing for the road!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 03:51 AM

Yesterday I met Chris Roche on Tower Hill in London and spent a pleasant day walking along what's left of Radcliffe Highway. We began with the memorial garden for merchant sailors lost at sea during World War 1 and 2, Trinity House (the HQ for Thames pilots) and the "Chain Locker" (the shipping office where sailors signed on or off for voyages), and the remnant of the old Roman wall, all in and around Tower Hill.

There's not much left of London's "sailortown" that an old shellback would recognize other than some of the warehouses which have been converted to luxury condominiums, a few churches and sailor hostels, the dock-pools, and a few old pubs. We managed to talk our way into one of the former sailor missions which was converted into a nursery school; we got to see and photograph a number of plaques commemorating sailors who were lost at sea, some hiding behind children's artwork. The pubs were the most fun, and the best of all was The Whitby, all dark varnished wood, the bar set on old barrels, a ship's mast supporting the stairway, nautical paintings and prints, chock-a-block with memories going back 400 years or more. We also got to see the Old Mahogany Bar which C. Fox Smith mentioned which has been converted into Wilton's Music Hall; it seemed an appropriate use for such a place and it looked very well used.

Later that day we joined Judy and her friend Pat at the hotel in Hampstead and then took the tube to Camden Town for dinner at a favorite Italian restaurant, followed by an evening of singing at Sharp's. I didn't recognize many people at Sharp's except for David Jones but everyone was very friendly and their voices certainly filled the room. We all got to lead two songs and I did "Mobile Bay" and "Bound Away." I wish I'd been able to get a list of names of those attending but I'm never very good at remembering new folks that I've met.

Today we do some more wandering around London, pick up some last minute gifts, and begin final packing.

This trip has been a whole lot of fun.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, resident in London

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Micca
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 04:43 AM

Charley, My appologies for not making it to Sharps last night but I was too late getting home to get food and out again in time for it to be worth while.
With Reference to Londons seafaring community, Some of the more"modern" seamens hostels are still in existance(tho with changed functions) along Commercial Road which is the main artery road North of The Highway, These include the Edward the VII Hostel building, which is of particularly ugly yellow bricks (hence its name among seafarers "The Stack of bricks") built in about 1900-1910 and the rather handsome Norwegian Seamans mission (now sadly converted into apartments) which is a few hundred yards further east. If you get the chance to travel on the Docklands Light Railway(DLR) it takes you through much of the remaining docks and gives a good idea of the sheer Scale!of the commercial capacity of the Port of London since Victorian times. If you get a chance ,in Rotherhithe, there is The Mayflower pub still in existence from Elizabethan times where the Pilgrims Ship allegedly left from to go around to Plymouth to pick them up for their voyage to the Americas, it is still in pretty much the same condition too as it was then!

Good Luck
Micca

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 11:22 AM

Micca-

Sorry to miss you as well. I would like to do some more Sailortown wandering, next time with a list of places to track down such as the Mayflower Pub. Of course having a glass at each such stop has its own problems.

I had a nice chat with Malcolm at the library at Sharp's. I wanted to be sure they had received their copy of the Sea Songs of C. Fox Smith, which they had, and a chance to peruse their shelves again. I did find a couple of more books to search for on the used book websites. I can't say that I've found much from my more random process of visiting used bookshops here in the UK but it's always fun to search,

Now that it's our last day in London I can think of all kinds of things to do, which is always the case with me. I guess we'll just have to plan a revisit in a year or two.

Thanks again to all who made us welcome, provided us hospitality, and swapped songs with us.

You know who you are, and the three lobster special is waiting for you in Maine!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, resident in Hampstead, London

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Sep 10 - 08:51 PM

I'm happy to report that Maine still exists. We're back home at last with a minimum of travel woes. Even the luggage, including the banjo, made it back with us.

It's about 2 am UK time and I think I'll make a longer post much later this morning.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 23 Sep 10 - 09:04 PM

Glad you both got home OK. It was great to meet you and Judy and to hear you both. You seem to have made the most of your time over here, with no shortage of ideas for another trip (or more!)
All the best
Ross

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Leadfingers
Date: 23 Sep 10 - 09:04 PM

Charlie - Thins got in the way of getting to Sharps - I'll see you at Getaway anyway !

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Sailor Ron
Date: 24 Sep 10 - 06:33 AM

Echoing what Ross said. Thanks for visiting Fleetwood F.C., you made a gradley impression with everyone. On a personal level, thanks for 'Clan Alpine'.
Next time you're over we must arrange a 'full' evening at F.F.C.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Sep 10 - 08:37 AM

We did have a fine time at Fleetwood with Ron Baxter, Ross Campbell, Sean, and a host of others. It shines as a creative music community and we'd be delighted to return there, or to reciprocate the hospitality if possible here in Maine. The same goes for our gracious hosts John and Carol Bailey for providing us housing.

We did meet Steve from Fore 'N' Aft at the Otley Festival whose bandmate Chris Locke set another of Baxter's lyrics to music, "Tramps (chantey for steam)." I'd love to hear the band perform live.

Terry-

Looking forward to seeing you at Getaway as well. I have a copy for you of the new CD recorded by Two Black Sheep and a Stallion.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, in a rainy morning in Maine but with a very happy cooncat in my lap

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 25 Sep 10 - 07:06 AM

Lovely to meet you and Judy and pleased to see that your visit seemed to be both busy and successful.
Regards,
Ian

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Sep 10 - 09:44 AM

Ian-

Thanks again for the lovely cruise in Moonlight Shadow and everything else that you and Estelle did to make us feel welcome.

Today Judy and I take our final seasonal cruise in the 1958 Boston Whaler, up the Sasanoa River from Robinhood Cove to Bath, to check out some eagle and osprey nests. The eagles, we know, are still around but we think the ospreys are off on their annual migration south.

Someday you must journey to Maine so we may reciprocate your hospitality.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble and JudyB

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 12:29 PM

Still editing pixs!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: gnu
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 03:27 PM

Glad we will get to see them Charley. Better that they are edited, of course.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to UK September 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 05:24 PM

I bet get back to work on them, and then when I finish there are all of Judy's to do as well!

Charley Noble