GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Letty
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 03:01 PM

Oops, that should be 'new one' of course.
So, the new thread is here.

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Letty
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 03:00 PM

I started a new thread, old one is here.

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From:
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 10:58 AM

Richard, as you are driving up, does that mean you'll be bringing the Docherty mandolla as well as banjo, mandolin and guitar?

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From:
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 10:56 AM

Thankyou Letty. I am sure Greg would take you up on the offer of a sleeping bag, pillow and mat, as will I. Please don't start him off,by offering to join them together!!!!!!! It will save luggage space.

Chocolate toffypops. I don't know those, but will try my hardest.

Andy.....careful man, small I might be, but beserker I can also be, no entry to Valhalla without the pony tail!!!!!!!!!

Richard, how could you say that about Pat. You'd be much better swapping her off for a guitar or other instrument than just giving her away. Think first!!

Bron, sorry you are not coming, will catch up with you...possibly October ish? Not long now.............

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Llanfair
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 07:12 AM

It looks like I won't be able to join you, and I'm REALLY PEEVED!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend, I'll be thinking of you all.

Cheers, Bron.

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: MudGuard
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 06:56 AM

Letty, if you really could bring a mat for me that would be great.

I intended to sleep without - as I would only need it in Groningen, and it is a big piece of equipment I wouldn't want to carry on the bike for a week.

So I gladly take your offer! Here is the shout: SHOUT!

Eric, I am quite good at cutting off Pony tails...

3 days!

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Fossil
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 05:58 AM

Hi, y'all and sorry, but due to the impending arrival of wife's relatives from New Zealand, we (the Fossils) are not able to join you in Groningen this year. Bummer, as I was very much looking forward to it and was even making mad plans to sail there. Oh well, everyone else will have a good time, I'm sure, so post the impressions as you go along. Best wishes to all.

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: mooman
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 04:48 AM

Dear Eric,

I could offer Letty's mum The Good Lady who is quite smallish!

Oh dear...did I say that!

Richard

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: GUEST,Letty (still procrastinating
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 04:48 AM

We can definitely start a new thread when the gathering is in full swing, my brother has cable internet at home!

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: GUEST,Letty (no cookie, at work)
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 04:44 AM

Just a quick message... I'll be adding more (plus reposting all directions) tonight, promise!

As for a present for my mother from England...if you could find the type of chocolate biscuits called Toffypops, you'd make her a very happy woman. We used to eat them on our holidays in Britain (well, devour them would be a better term).

Skip and Eric: I can bring two mats and sleeping bags plus pillows for you, interested? Saves you luggage on the plane.
Andy, I can bring a mat for you too (2m20), just give a shout.

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 08:17 PM

Letty, directions beforehand would be nice as I gather not even short-stay parking is free. We definitely won't be arriving at 7pm. I'm picking up Wolfgang at Oldenburg station at 6.30. From there to Groningen it will take 1 1/2 to 2 hours, I suppose, and we'll have to find Wolfgang's hotel. (Or maybe we can do that after dinner. Is it safe to leave stuff in the car?)

Richard, don't spoil the boy! If he wants Belgian coins he can go cycling there! :-) And my regards to Lady McMoo!

3 1/2 days to go!

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 07:30 PM

So, the hour is almost upon us! Will some one be starting a Eurogathering thread as it happens?

Susanne-I get your reference to chatting up students now after re-reading the thread!! I'll get Greg onto it.

URGENT NOTICE...anyone good at doing pony tails?

Letty is there anything particularly(smallish) that your mother would like from England as a gift for her hospitality?

Oh well, 00.30hrs again. Goodnight!

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: MudGuard
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 09:57 AM

Ah, that's good - I feared the Lady would not come!

See you soon!

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: mooman
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 09:51 AM

OK ....noted Andy...I'll see what I can do. I'll be coming up on Friday and The Good Lady, Ken Gilman and Glen and Ron Astoin on the Saturday morning.

Cheers,

moo

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 09:44 AM

Hi Letty - I'm staying till Monday and would like to participate with the brunch.
URGENT To enhance my imagination: in which size do you prefer to wear your T-shirts?
And oh, I'm so excited! Only four days to go to this wonderful fish, de European gat hering!

Wilfried

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: MudGuard
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 09:21 AM

Mooman, as you do not react to my private message:

Could you please bring the following Belgian Euro coins:
3times 1ct, 3times 2ct, 3times 5ct, 2times 10ct, 2times 1Euro, 1time 2Euro?

(and any Luxemburgian ones... ;-))

Btw.: "I expect to ..." sounds like you are not bringing Lady McMoo?

4 days!

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Snuffy
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 09:01 AM

That Uitsmijter sounds a bit like a Strammer Max to me.

Hope you have a wonderful time. I'm sure we Shellback Mudcatters at Upton will find time to raise a glass to your health!

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Letty
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 07:07 PM

To answer a few questions:
Yes, we will be able to travel back and forth between Groningen and Assen, and yes, I know some of you are staying on 'till Monday!
Sunday night session: some time after 20 shouldn't be a problem, I think (Remembrance Day, so memorial services around 20 with 2 minutes silence).
Oh, for those who you who will skip the brunch: Sunday is also 'koopzondag' in Groningen, which means the shops will be open (they usually aren't on a Sunday).

Susanne: paid parking at Willem's place means that you have to pay obscene amounts of money to park there, plus there's a maximum stay.
But a few streets further, parking's free. That's where you can spend the night. I could give you directions, do you need them beforehand or do you think you'll catch us at the Deliplein? I'll book for 19.30h, so we'll be leaving there at about 19h.

The Friday night restaurant is upstairs in the pub! Address: Oosterstraat 33. I'll repost all relevant information tomorrow night, so that you've got everything handy!

Goodnight,
Letty (sleepy)

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: mooman
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 06:09 PM

Dear Letty,

I expect to be in Grongingen by or before 21h00

Best regards,

Richard

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 06:00 PM

Andy an Uitsmijter is big ham and egg sandwiches (well not exactly,) but similar. Two fried eggs on a slice of ham-often on a thick slice of toasted farm bread, with pickles. Delicious.Greg and I are staying until Monday afternoon before we head out for the airport, so there's good times to be had.

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 05:40 PM

Oops - posted that before reading any new posts. Yes, I think we'll be there before 9pm, and yes, I at least would be more than happy to try Mrs Nijhuis' brunch! I could even give three people a lift (two, if one of them is Andreas, with or without bike ...). Many thanks to your mother, Letty! What gifts could we bring her as a thank you?

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 05:22 PM

Letty, have printed out all relevant info now. Hopefully, I (and possibly Wolfgang, whom I'm hoping to pick up en route) will be arriving some time before 8pm, so we might actually be in time for dinner!

Two more questions: You say there is 'paid parking' in Deliplein. What does this mean for me? I need a parking space for two nights.

When you've finalised the booking for Friday night, could you please post how to get there from Deliplein on foot? After your warnings, I don't feel like taking the car into Groningen any farther than I must!
Oh, and at what time will you be starting out for the pub? Maybe we'll catch you at home yet.

See you all soon!

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: MudGuard
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 02:42 PM

Eric, what is uitsmijter?

Eric, I can help you get Greg awake...

And yes, a big thank you in advance to Letty'S mother from me as well.

Eric, we will do some music on Sunday night! If noone else does, at least you and me... ;-)

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 02:31 PM

On behalf of Greg and myself. Thankyou for your kind offer. If Greg is in a suitable state, he'd love to come for brunch-I'll get him awake!!!! And a session in Assen sound fine to me.Count us in. Please thank your mother in advance for the kindness-she must be brave!!!Is she doing uitsmijter's? Will we be able to get back to your brothers flat ok for Sunday evening. What is happening then?-more music?

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Noreen
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 02:19 PM

Yes, thank you, Letty, for all the organising, even though I won't be able to partake.
Hope the traditional standard of restaurants at EuroGatherings is maintained... *grin*

Make sure there are lots of photos please.
xx

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: MudGuard
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 02:07 PM

Letty, I will definitely be there before 21h and would like to have dinner there!

About 20km to Assen? ok, a bit far for a quick ride on the bike...

As I said before, I would like to stay till Monday morning...

Did I say thank-you for all your organizing? If so: I repeat it! If not:
a big thank you!

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Letty
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 01:45 PM

Another news flash:

My mother has kindly offered to serve brunch on the Sunday morning, so
we could all get together before (some of us) say goodbye. I can take people to Assen in the car, and so can a few others, so no travel expenses there. In the afternoon (and possibly evening), we could either play in the house, or in the Irish pub in town!

So, besides indicating whether you will have dinner in the restaurant on the Friday, could you also tell me if you would like to come on Sunday?


Letty (getting excited)

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Letty
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 01:39 PM

Just a quick question:
Who will be in Groningen before 21h and eating there?
I'm going to make reservations for Sally O'Brien's. They
promised us we could make music afterwards, and it's a pub too,
so people who are later (Skip and Eric, e.g.) could then join us.

The restaurant, which serves simple pub food, wants to know how
many are actually coming for dinner (kitchen closes at 21h).

Letty

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: MudGuard
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 07:13 AM

5 days only...

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 08:28 AM

Oh really, MudGuard? In the Sahara I found 42°C in the shadow extremely pleasant.

Still 6 days and the rest of today to go ...
Wilfried

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: MudGuard
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 08:11 AM

24C? Thats awfully hot ;-)

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Letty
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 07:47 AM

Well, they did say that Easter was going to be awful. And, unless
you consider sunny weather with temperatures to 24C awful, that
wasn't true. So, don't count on the weather forecast!

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 07:21 AM

7 days to go, and the weather for Sunday, is cloudy with sun and showers. (I only write this because my Dutch friends think we (The English) are obsessed with the weather.

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 11:54 AM

As my friend Skipjack says....await Letty's opening address with interest.

Andy....It will rain on Saturday too. (I'm not bothered about the weather really,cycle all day in the wet some days, just keeping info up to date)But last year it rained from the moment Richard picked us up, to the morning of departure>> Bill and I had very soggy smokes!!

By the way Richard..Skipjack already holds the pints in waiting from Ireland!!

Susanne.. I await your suggestions with eagerness. Greg and I are always open to suggestions!!!! (Except bugger off and go away)

Not long now. This time next week, everything should be packed!

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: alanww
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 09:45 PM

Discussing next year already ... and the Euro event hasn't happened yet ...?

By all means think of combining a 2004 Gathering with the Yorkshire Gathering but the only reason I felt that I couldn't make it this year was the fact that it clashed with the Upton Folk Festival, at which the Shellback Chorus are singing. So if another Euro Gathering is planned for 2004, please try to ensure it doesn't clash with a major UFK festival ...

Anyway have fun, enjoy yourselves and I look forward to seeing you all again soon ...

"As I was a-walking down by the sea shore ...!"
Alan

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 07:01 PM

hi Greg and Eric - had a great comment on Letty's suggestions last night but unfortunately fell asleep before I could post it, so you're safe! Looking forward to seeing you both.

As to next year, why not combine it with Selby? Seeing I'm going to miss that by a hair's breadth this year, I'd love to go, and Hell - sorry, Hull, is fairly easy to reach.

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: mooman
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 06:23 PM

My dear Skippy,

That very kind remark definitely wins you a pint!

Looking forward to seeing everybody!

Richard

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 02:39 PM

Wolfgang, my good friend, look forward to Letty's keynote address..........

Looking forward greatly to seeing my EuroCatChums, and watching Moore get curiously younger. I think he is taking jOhn's therapy of Pot Noodle and John Smiths as his elixir of life.

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Wolfgang
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 01:51 PM

Maybe we should make the next Mudcat meeting of this type In Britain? It started as a German Mudcat meeting (with more English speaking than Germans attending) then moved to the neighbouring countries like Belgium and the Netherlands. So maybe a part of England closest to (or fairly close to) Germany could be the next choice.

Hull

Wolfgang Hell
(I had many years the line 'from Hull and Halifax and Hell, Good Lord, deliver me' at my door as a treat for the students)

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 01:27 PM

Can't make it. It sounds like it'd be well worth the trip. Ah well.

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: MudGuard
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 01:12 PM

Letty, thanks for the answers.

Erik, how often is the weather forecast correct for the next day?
Do you really trust it for 9 days???

9 days only!

Andreas/MudGuard

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 12:34 PM

And the weather forecast for Friday 2nd Mai is......... Showers but quite warm. Lets hope for a sunny weekend.

Letty, to mobile phone you I will need 0031 drop the 0 before the 6 is that right? Though my phone will switch to local (can't remember which company).

Who is asking about the drugs?

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 07:44 AM

Thankyou Letty-you confirmed what I'd already worked out. We'll be on the train.You kind offer of a lift is gratefully recieved, I have printed out all the details etc.

Richard-it is no problem. I figured that it would make you and Pat very late ariving, as I said. But thankyou for your kind and generous offer (For those who don't know Richard-it is typical of his warm and kind nature) By the way.

IT WILL BE RICHARD'S BIRTHDAY THE WEEKEND OF THE GATHERING.

so see you soon.

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Letty
Date: 22 Apr 03 - 04:11 PM

hi there!

Loads of questions...
I'll try to answer a few now: I'm planning to be in the pub on Friday night, but perhaps everyone's tired and gone bij the time Skip and Eric are arriving... You know what? I'll collect you from the train station in Groningen (I have scribbled down my mobile phone number somewhere in this thread, if you're early/late you can call me) and bring you to wherever you are.
Wilfried: I hope you won't have to hitch-hike from Germany... But strikes are out of my control of course.
MudGuard: in the afternoon, I'll be on the Deliplein 116, the name on the door is L. Nijhuis (that's me).

Train tickets: a weekend return would be cheaper, but that's only valid from Friday night through Sunday. So, buy a normal return ticket (open return). Still less expensive than two single fares!
Dutch rail is really stingy, only way to get a discount is to hitch a ride with a student (students and two companions per student get a 40 % discount), but you have to chat a student up first :-)
So you're right, return should set you back about 36Euro.

Driving from Schiphol Airport to Groningen takes about 3 hours.
Guitar shop: two of them in the Nieuwe Ebbingestraat, around the corner from Willem's house (well, walkable in any case).
Coffee: available in every supermarket, not just coffeeshops (there is a real coffee shop, i.e. selling coffee, in the Zwanestraat).
Soft drugs are available too (though not in supermarkets), though you need proof you're over 18. Actually, there's a coffee shop about 50 yards from where you're staying. And Willem used to have a neighbour who baked spacecakes, but she's moved. Maybe she left a receipe!

BTW, if you're serious about getting high in Holland, don't ask me, I don't even smoke normal cigarettes.

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: MudGuard
Date: 22 Apr 03 - 01:00 PM

And yes, Wilfried, I fear they will be on strike on the first of May (which is Labour Day in Germany)...

Andreas/MudGuard

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: MudGuard
Date: 22 Apr 03 - 12:59 PM

Richard, did you get my PM?

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: mooman
Date: 22 Apr 03 - 11:21 AM

Dear Eric,

I planned be "on route" somewhat earlier (and via a slightly different route) than your estimated arrival time in order to avoid traffic but could revise plans if you're really stuck.

All the best

Richard

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 22 Apr 03 - 10:59 AM

Oh, oh - the driving engineers of the German Railway are threatening with a strike just about the next week(s). Let's hope the best for the timetables.

Wilfried

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: MudGuard
Date: 22 Apr 03 - 07:23 AM

More questions for Letty:

Arriving at Willem's place (Deliplein 116), which doorbell is the one to press?

I guess I will arrive early afternoon (13:00 - 14:00). Is someone at Willem's place at that time? Or should I meet you or Willem somewhere else?

10 days...

Subject: RE: GRONINGEN meeting 2-4 May: the follow-up
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 21 Apr 03 - 08:00 PM

OK-not long to go now.

Letty, some questions.

1) Our return fare from Schipol is e36.20. How long does a return ticket last?1-4 days or more or less? Or do we have to buy single tickets? (one way)We would prefer to buy a return as it's much cheaper but it would need to be from the Friday to the Monday evening, as we leave 21.15

Also is there a tourist reduction? (Reductions is e21.70)

Train times-we should get the 21.23 from Schipol, arriving at 23.54 at Groningen.

Where will everyone be at this time? Or do we go straight to Deliplein?If we are very lucky we could make the 20.53, change at Amersfort, arrive at 23.15 (But not very likely)

Richard as an alternative, if your offer still stands (but only if convenient-I'd want to get there sooner if I were you! It is 227 Km by rail from Schipol to Groningen) We land at 20.35. (But that's only dependant on plane being on time)It would make you and Pat very late arriving.About a good three-four hour drive I'd guess.

Much longer by bicycle from Europort!! I think we cycled it in 5 days with the children last time we cycled up that way-Don't cycle like Andy!!

Last question, Where is the guitar shop? Oh and Skip will want a coffee shop-but I'll get him to AH.

See you all soon