Visiting Wales this summer?

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 Mar 16 - 12:23 AM

Sorry, for some reason I also just automatically presumed a bloke started this thread.

Apologies for my crap blokey joke earlier.

My wife is a South Wales Valleys girl, but her family live up near the North Coast these days.

Train travel from South West England is expensive and takes hours.

She loves singing and has a great memory for lyrics, but is sadly tone deaf
and refused to continue mandolin lessons from me
when she realised she'd need to cut her nails.

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Mar 16 - 12:22 AM

If you look down the threads there is a guy who posted a thread about "Sheet Winding/Songs About Death"
The guy who posted this subject is from North Wales. Don't know if that is the area you live in but he is into folk music and perhaps you can send him a message about your interest in folk music.
Maybe he is not too far from your area. :-))

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 25 Mar 16 - 12:13 AM

To Llanfair,

I also wanted to say that I hope you will somehow get back to playing guitar & singing again. Perhaps it might be hard at first but perhaps you can just start slow and sing one song a day.
It sounds like you would welcome the opportunity to do this again and please don't let your sadness about your ex - destroy what was once something you truly enjoyed doing. I wish I was able to visit - I would enjoy sharing the love of music with you and encourage you to start playing your guitar and singing again.
Are there any folk clubs, venues or folk music house concerts anywhere near you? I don't know if you have too many house concerts there though.

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 24 Mar 16 - 11:26 PM

I have two Mini-Pinchers that will both be 8 years old in May.
One has diabetes and so I have to give her insulin twice a day - 12 hours apart. I also have one indoor cat named, Silky and two outside cats, Precious and Molly.

Oh, for some reason I thought you were a guy. Sorry. Maybe I was thinking the name Bron (was a guy's name) but actually had not heard the name before.

Yeah, the guys on dating sites are looking for much younger women even if they themselves are in their 50's & 60's.
Also, I have never come across any guys profiles on on-line dating sites that ever mention any interest in folk music on their profiles.

The weather in Feb. & March has been really warm (even hot) with temperatures in 80's & 90's for the most part. Sometime it might be in the mid-70's but just too hot for Feb. & March for me.
It is rare to find temps. that hot in Feb. & March though.

Hardly any rain and they were predicting El Nino (and heavy rains) this winter - which did not happen at all.

Have you ever been to California? I actually am originally from UK (but left with parents when I was a young girl)
I have been back to UK but not since the late 1980's.
Stayed in London mostly but traveled around to Scotland & Ireland & some other countries - but did not get to Wales.

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: Llanfair
Date: 24 Mar 16 - 03:50 PM

Hi, Lin, informal singarounds are great, must be even better where you are, you can be outside a lot. We've had an entire winter of rain and storms, making even travelling difficult.
What sort of dogs do you have?
Unfortunately, I'm not a single guy, I'm a wronged ex-wife, long and VERY boring story.
I have 2 rescue whippets, both seniors, and a young, handsome standard poodle. My 3 cats now live outdoors, warm and comfy, but not in the house.
I ound that all the men on dating sites were after either arm candy, or a good lay. I found one nice guy, who came to visit and did some jobs for me, fortunately, he's gay.

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 24 Mar 16 - 02:46 PM

To Llanfair,

Too bad you are not in California. We could meet. :-)) I never come across single guys that are into folk music, singing, etc. It would be nice to meet someone such as yourself to share common interests.

Seems like when I do attend folk venues, sing-arounds, all the guys there are married. Funny thing, there are some other single women or some with their friend (another female) but NO SINGLE GUYS!

There are some folk music places here where people go to someone's home and have informal singing. Usually just go around the circle (seats are set up in a circle) For those who don't sing they can request any song they like and ask if someone can sing "their request." Sometimes there is a "theme" song for the night too.
They are fun to go to and there is always good food and refreshments available during the break.

For example the theme song might be about travel. So if people know any folk songs related to "travel" they will sing that song.
The theme changes at each gathering.
P.S. I like to stay home with my two dogs a lot too. :-)) but would love to meet a nice guy to go to folk venues with and share this interest. Even just share listening to "our favourite folk music" at home.
I have tons of great folk albums. CD's and LPs.

I know what you mean about dating sites!

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: Llanfair
Date: 24 Mar 16 - 01:34 PM

Lovely to hear from you, Morticia, hope this finds you well.
FreddyHeady, I never went to Llanwddyn, because I was at the market, I may well go this year.
Leadfingers, there aren't any local sessions, since the Red Lion got it's jukebox,though the Black Lion has a nice outdoor under cover area when the weather warms up a bit.
I have a small caravan for visitors.

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: Morticia
Date: 24 Mar 16 - 07:06 AM

I remember it and you. Sorry to hear about the divorce, hope you are okay? I remember where you lived as being very lovely.

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: GUEST,Albert's Lion
Date: 24 Mar 16 - 06:22 AM

Plenty of folk sessions and open mics 'down by ere' as we say in Pembrokeshire.If you're ever down in the far SW you'll be spoilt for choice.

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: Mr Red
Date: 24 Mar 16 - 05:18 AM

couple of sessions in the area that may still be going Last time I spoke to Rees Wesson the Welshpool one was still going. I am sure Llanfair would know about them.

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 23 Mar 16 - 07:32 PM

If you can offer sleeping bag space I could drive up for a session either chez vous or in adjacent pub ! I have always believed in encouraging people to play !

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 23 Mar 16 - 06:56 PM

Be fair Llanfair, it's only a couple of days since the first post.

I imagine there isn't much in the way of Folk clubs round there, do you get up to the
LLANWDDYN FOLK & ACOUSTIC
WEEKEND
(Lake Vyrnwy)
Day Time
Fri - Sat 2nd/3rd September 2016
http://www.llanwddynevents.co.uk/llandwddyn-folk-acoustic-music

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: Llanfair
Date: 23 Mar 16 - 03:02 PM

Hmm, no interest, then. Have we anyone still here who remembers the very first UK mudgather, otherwise known as Llanstock?

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: Llanfair
Date: 22 Mar 16 - 12:37 PM

Steady on, G-Force, and read it again, we have a LITTLE train station, One of the great little trains of Wales, Llanfair-Welshpool.
The Railway station is in Welshpool, part of the old Cambrian Line. Big, British trains go through that one. Arriva, German.

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: G-Force
Date: 22 Mar 16 - 10:16 AM

Some lovely sentiments in the earlier part of this thread, but ...

train station

Grrrr !!!!!    Americans have train stations, we have railway stations. Please.

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 22 Mar 16 - 09:59 AM

I know a part of Wales that never closes...

My wife's mouth.....

{pfr channeling the ghost of Les Dawson... 😈]

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: Newport Boy
Date: 22 Mar 16 - 08:25 AM

That was a long time ago, Dave. You must be older than I thought!

Phil

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 22 Mar 16 - 08:20 AM

I went to Wales one Sunday, it was shut.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 Mar 16 - 03:55 AM

The problem with dating sites is that you don't have those visual clues that give re-assurance or otherwise. How about making a bit of music at care homes etc? It gets you out. Do the dogs sing? Or are there people who want to "give" at such venues but aren't musical, who could walk the dogs during? I know of many instances where a visiting dog is part of the entertainment for old people in care homes.
My solution to enforced retirement was to help at a community radio station which allowed me to record old people talking about life in the old days. Since the station folded, that is now my hobby. I meet people doing it. And I discovered a lot of them loved to talk, it triggered their pleasant memories that would not surface easily otherwise. I gave as much as I took! Now I have something to give to posterity.
http://stroudvoices.co.uk

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: Llanfair
Date: 21 Mar 16 - 04:28 PM

Yes, Mr Red, unfortunately, getting out isn't as easy as it used to be, I'm a natural loner, and enjoy being at home with my dogs, now I've retired. I miss the music and like-minded people. I tried dating sites, but they are creepy, so that's a no no.
I forgot to mention in the first post that I'm 40 minutes from Shrewsbury, and that we have a little train station here.

Subject: RE: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: Mr Red
Date: 21 Mar 16 - 03:35 PM

I never sang till the wife left home. All the motivation I needed!
It is a situation that has one thing in common with many situations of "loss"* - mindspace. You have a hole in your attention that can be filled with anything you choose (sans competition). I must admit I chose to get out & mingle, at the folk clubs, badminton and at singles clubs, I had a very naive view of the latter but found one that had the right intelligent approach.

* loss was the only word I could think of. Rather than a loss it was a release for me but that is not always the situation for others.

Subject: Visiting Wales this summer?
From: Llanfair
Date: 21 Mar 16 - 03:06 PM

Since the divorce, I have barely touched my guitars, and had no urge to sing. I need motivation, and some folky people to play with.
Anyone visiting, or passing through mid-Wales this summer would be made very welcome. I can offer basic accommodation, a nearby pub and chipshop, and lots of chat and some music.
PM me for details.
Cheers, Bron