Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: GUEST,Mick Tems heb cwci
Date: 14 Jan 14 - 05:34 AM

Well... you can imagine the consternation that went round the Cross Inn, 12,000 miles away: "Ooh! Pat's been in an earthquake!"

To maintain a sense of proportion, a 4.2 tremor is just a brief rumble, whereas you would have noticed a 4.5. We live above a fault line in South Wales, but for all the years I've lived here, I haven't noticed any earth tremors - except for a long time ago, in the early morning rush-hour, when I was driving along a straight road and I felt the car 'wobble'. Pat was lying in bed that morning, and she felt the bed gently spiral upwards. It was an 4.0 tremor, and by the time I drove to Cardiff, city engineers were already inspecting buildings for signs of damage (They didn't find any.) Snowdonia in North Wales has bigger quakes, about 5.0 - enough to bring the occasional brick chimney down.

As Gurney says, he's lived in Auckland for years and only felt one tremor. I can firmly say that NZ is a safe place - although the day after we flew there for the first time, I was reading the Gisborne directory which instructed phone users what to do in the event of earthquake, eruption or tsunami!

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 14 Jan 14 - 12:12 AM

Hi Mick.
Pat is exaggerating a bit. We were told it was a 4.5 initially, but turns out it was a 4.2 as you say.
She and Graham didn't even feel it, they were busy at the computer. We had put some concertina and gobiron onto a track that he had recorded with (ex-cricketer) John Wright, and were busy mixing.
I was doing b-all on the sofa, and felt a brief shake, made a note of the time, and got confirmation later.


Splott Man

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Gurney
Date: 13 Jan 14 - 05:15 PM

Mick, I've only felt one earthquake since we arrived in Auckland almost 40 years ago, but it came out of the blue, and there was a chorus of "What was that!" We had to phone someone to be sure it was an earthquake. 4.something, but some way away. Like a vehicle hitting the house.
I spent the night at a friend's house next to a railway line once. They didn't get woken, but I sure did.

They don't even report ChCh earth tremors any more. Well over 2000 in the last year or so. The houses are built for it, and won't fall down on you. Wooden framed, they can be torn from their foundations and still be a house. It isn't (mostly) the houses that have been condemned in the ChCh 'red zone,' but the land, designated now as unsuitable.
Houses are like that all over NZ. Even if they look brick-built, they are actually brick-clad.
"Heritage' buildings, left from Victorian times, are another story.

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: GUEST,Mick Tems (heb cwci)
Date: 13 Jan 14 - 01:30 PM

There was I, enjoying a pint of Young's Winter Warmer in the Cross Inn, when in walked Christian (Pat's son) and announced that his mother had phoned to say that she had been in an 4.5 earth tremor!

I'm intrigued as to where this tremor occurred. Could it be Christchurch? There was a "moderate" 4.2 20km west of the city at 3.33pm on January 10.

NZ is peppered with earthquakes; Pat and I flew three times to Auckland for concert, festival and folk club tours, and we were always disappointed that we hadn't been in any tremors. Bur we did sleep through a 4.0 in the North Island - the main road used to run past our cottage, and a 4.0 was the equivalent of cowboys driving 30-tonne coal lorries at 60mph through our village. We were used to it!

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 13 Jan 14 - 03:42 AM

That sounds like a plan to us, Robyn!
I read your PM and replied before I saw this!
We should be in Hastings by late afternoon, so we'll give you a ring once we've set up camp.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Little Robyn
Date: 30 Dec 13 - 02:15 AM

There's a Top 10 motor camp just at the end of our street - the camp is on Windsor Avenue in Hastings (Hawke's Bay) and Louie Street is just opposite, with the dairy on the corner. If you camp there we can take you to the Rose & Shamrock for dinner and music on Wednesday.
Cheers,
Robyn and Mitch

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 28 Dec 13 - 03:26 AM

Cardona date confirmed as Sunday 5 January.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 16 Dec 13 - 03:47 AM

More dates added or confirmed.


Dec 29 at The Bunker, Devonport.
Dec 30-Jan 2: Tui Farm Folk Festival, near Nelson.
Around Jan 5: House concert in Cardrona.
Jan 10: House concert in Christchurch.
Jan 12: House concert in Paraparaumu.
Jan 18: Summer Ceilidh at the Waikino Hall.
Jan 19: House concert in Waihi.
Jan 24-27: Auckland Folk Festival.
Plus as many sessions and open mikes as we can find in between.
We're open to offers.
We'll be on South Island till 12 Jan, then head for Waihi via Hawkes Bay area.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 13 Dec 13 - 03:47 AM

Ignore the previous post...

This is close to the truth...

We start on Dec 29 at The Bunker, Devonport.
Then Dec 30-Jan 2: Tui Farm Folk Festival, near Nelson.
Jan 10: House concert in Christchurch.
Jan 12: House concert in Paraparumu.
Jan 18: Summer Ceilidh at the Waikino Hall.
Jan 19: House concert in Waihi.
Jan 24-27: Auckland Folk Festival.
Plus as many sessions and open mikes as we can find in between.
We're open to offers.
We'll be on South Island till 12 Jan, then head for Waihi via Hawkes Bay area.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 13 Dec 13 - 03:44 AM

Update:

House concert added, date t.b.c.

We start on Dec 29 at The Bunker, Devonport.
Then Dec 30-Jan 2: Tui Farm Folk Festival, near Nelson.
Jan 10: House concert in Christchurch.
Jan 13 or 14: House concert in Paraparumu.
Jan 18: Summer Ceilidh at the Waikino Hall.
Jan 19: House concert in Waihi.
Jan 24-27: Auckland Folk Festival.
Plus as many sessions and open mikes as we can find in between.
We're open to offers.
We'll be on South Island till 12 Jan, then head for Waihi via Hawkes Bay area.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 09 Dec 13 - 07:51 AM

Thanks, I was about to ask you about sessions in your area, Robyn.
We'll put that in our diary as a place to visit. I see the nearest campsite is only a couple of miles staggering distance away.
With the name Rose & Shamrock, I assume it's an Irish session.

Cheers

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Little Robyn
Date: 07 Dec 13 - 07:26 PM

Where are you heading in Hawke's Bay? There's a session on Wednesday nights (15th Jan) at the Rose & Shamrock in Havelock North.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Little Robyn
Date: 07 Dec 13 - 07:18 PM

Contact Roger Giles if you're stuck for transport - Hilary would know someone to give you a lift. It's almost on a motorway and I don't think you'd find a suitable venue any closer to the city.
The city is spreading out that way and houses now fill the "middle of nowhere!"
The previous venue - Knock na gree, was harder to get to - up a winding road at the back of Henderson.
See you there?
Robyn

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Gurney
Date: 07 Dec 13 - 06:09 PM

Should have added that even people who live nearby only go home to shower, as the free ones are a bit public. Especially when the girls showers are busy!
The AFF has always been a camping festival, but as we revivalists get older... Lots of space for caravans and campers, no extra charge.
Official guests are provided with caravan accomodation, a little out of the centre of things.
It has been going for more than 40 years (I've missed one!) and is organised by the local folk clubs, and is well sorted.

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Gurney
Date: 07 Dec 13 - 05:49 PM

It is held at a country showground, where there is space for camping and also toilets. On the weekend, there are extra portaloos and showers and food, and Kumeu village is within 15mins walk, with fast food, supermarket and pub.
Jack, ask for a lift! Most people go there and stay for the long weekend.

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Jack Campin
Date: 07 Dec 13 - 12:24 PM

I just looked up where Auckland Folk Festival takes place. 20 miles out of town in the middle of nowhere, and if my experience with NZ public transport is anything to go by, no way to get between there and civilization at convenient times. I had thought someday I might time a visit to NZ to coincide with it, but I haven't been harbouring a lifelong ambition to visit Kumeu.

It's not like Auckland itself is short of venues. Why there?

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 07 Dec 13 - 11:05 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 06 Dec 13 - 07:31 AM

Update:

Gig in Christchurch added.

We start on Dec 29 at The Bunker, Devonport.
Then Dec 30-Jan 2: Tui Farm Folk Festival, near Nelson.
Jan 10: House concert in Christchurch t.b.c.
Jan 18: Summer Ceilidh at the Waikino Hall.
Jan 19: House concert in Waihi.
Jan 24-27: Auckland Folk Festival.
Plus as many sessions and open mikes as we can find in between.
We're open to offers.
We'll be on South Island till 12 Jan, then head for Waihi via Hawkes Bay area.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: bubblyrat
Date: 02 Dec 13 - 10:28 AM

I really hope that you have a wonderful time (but don't mention the rugby !) .And thanks again for the good wishes ; I am well on the way to recovery now,and look forward to seeing you both at Upton next year !

            Roger Redleg

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Gurney
Date: 01 Dec 13 - 05:31 PM

See you at the AFF. Our white Mitsubishi van has a ladder rack, it will be just down the road from Robyn's camper.

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: vectis
Date: 01 Dec 13 - 04:42 AM

Definite house concert in Waihi!

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Little Robyn
Date: 30 Nov 13 - 05:54 PM

I'll see you in Auckland - we're booked for the festival and hopefully will be the in-law's green camper bus!!! Probably parked up the top, near the food and the toilets!
Cheers,
Robyn

Subject: RE: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Eldergirl
Date: 30 Nov 13 - 07:13 AM

Ah, if I had the wings of a Tui, I'd join you, to cheer you on.
Have a wonderful time!

Subject: Dame Pattie Smith & Splott Man in NZ
From: Splott Man
Date: 30 Nov 13 - 06:01 AM

We are pleased to announce our Small but Beautifully Formed Tour of The Land of the Long White Cloud.

We start on Dec 29 at The Bunker, Devonport.
Then Dec 30-Jan 2: Tui Farm Folk Festival, near Nelson.
Jan 18: Summer Ceilidh at the Waikino Hall.
Jan 19: Possible house concert in Waihi.
Jan 24-27: Auckland Folk Festival.
Plus as many sessions and open mikes as we can find in between.
We're open to offers.

We'll be on South Island till 12 Jan, then head for Waihi via Hawkes Bay area.

Splott Man