N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 08:16 AM

It's so true Liam, I always know when to say no....

So glad to hear you at Portaferry, hope the fingers heal from your playing burn-out, Fab time, hear you again next year :-)

Hil

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Declan
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 08:24 AM

Interesting photos, looks like it was fun.

I'm fairly sure I saw Alanww in Sidmouth last year (possibly in the Bedford?), but I didn't know it was him. I'll be sure to say hello the next time. Leadfingers looks a bit familiar as well, but I don't know from where. I don't think I know any of the rest of you yet, but I'm looking forward to meeting you all sometime.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 08:45 AM

Common places in Sidmouth to find many of us during festival week are : the Anchor Middle Bar, The NewT (new tavern) The Bedford, and The Swan. If you haunt any of these places you will usually find a few catters.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: alanww
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 08:55 AM

And hello to you, Declan. While I spend most of my time in the Middle Bar of the Anchor singing, with a bit of my time in the Radway and Swan playing, I have certainly been known to go into the Bedford, particularly late at night for the lock-in! So it could well have been me. I look forward to seeing you there again this year!

"Dancing and singing, bell ringing ...!"
Alan

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 10:34 AM

Hello folks, I've downloaded the photos off my camera and there's some crackers, but I'm waaaaaaaaaay too busy to upload them yet - I have an entire seminar to plan, write and do slides for - all for tomorrow afternoon - my own fault for skiving off work to go to Portaferry. Anyway, I'll get the pictures done soon, hopefully by the weekend.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 05:57 PM

Have now collected photos , mostly of the ferry excursion. There is also a couple of Skippy committing cookery and discovering what he had wrought. And a piccy of something naked , sorry chaps to get your hopes up it wasn't the bra swopping incident it was only the cake before it was covered in icing.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: alanww
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 07:19 PM

Oh, pity there are no bras involved but I am anxious to see your piccies, Jude!

"When I was a young man ...!"
Alan

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: mooman
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 09:20 AM

An abiding memory, of which The Viking would surely have written had he arrived at that point, was the opening song of the proceedings in the Fiddlers Green.

One local, at least, had to be forcibly restrained as Micca burst forth into song with his parody "The Hash Me Father Scored" sung to the tune of a certain song with a similar-sounding title.

The regulars seemed to enjoyed it after the initial couple of bars and panic had subsided and the rest of us recovered too although the experience upped the initial blackstuff count!

moo

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From:
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 11:00 AM

I heard about that,and the plot to kidnap him afterwards and dump him in the lough. (Sorry Cat-but you said you wanted the insurance!) But, I was also there when someone tried to play the local session closing tune but I believe that only a gentle hint was given that is was the end tune. (Can't remember which tune it was-Richard will know)

Skipjack wrote "arse" on his cake because he told me in utter confidence that was what was on his mind.I promised not to tell anyone, so I wont.I have also the story about Skipjack wanting to play musical candles! But only Noreen knows the truth about that. This week has flown by, and I haven't done half as much work as I needed to do. The weekend and next week will be exremely busy.

I am quite suprised that there have been no obituraries this week after Skipjacks cooking of his cake.

Looking back, it was a splendid weekend and if meeting up in Holland goes even half as well, we'll be in for a really good time.

Micca, great photo's so far, and has cat stopped dribbling yet?

So next year looks like a rematch, get the dates, and we'll book early for the weekend.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: mooman
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 12:24 PM

Oh that was me Eric! How was I to know that "The Resting Chair" was the local session closing tune...it isn't even an Irish or a traditional one! But, as you say, the "piss off and stop playing that...it's the end tune!" message was delivered in the best possible humour and with great gentleness and decorum by the delightful local musicians. However...I shall know better for next year! This of course may be why we were banned from the lock-in at Dunigan's on the Saturday!

I am still wondering why the excellent Eamonn Bannon from the Saturday night in the Fiddlers isn't an international superstar. I have now added his superb slow arrangement of "I'll tell me ma" back into my repertoire.

I believe the reason I didn't die after eating Skip's cake with its fluorescent turquoise icing is that my bit was fully sterilised by the Guinness on the floor from which I ate it.

I am marking the dates for next year in already in my planner and really hope that Mickus Maximus and some other American/Canadian friends may be able to join us next time...that would be really great.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 12:50 PM

Eric....I have indeed stopped dribbling but Micca has caught my cold so the dribbling continues but not by me!!!!

I don't think there were any photos taken of the bra disscussion and swap but alan did measure my assets in relation to the size of his hands!!!

Cat

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 12:58 PM

Glad you're feeling better Cat :-) Recommend hot toddies for Micca!

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Declan
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 01:09 PM

Micca,

Any chance of you posting the words of "The Hash".

Sounds like a song I'd like to know.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 01:37 PM

Declan Try Here

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Micca
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 06:22 PM

Portaferry Mudcats
(Tune Galway Bay)By Micca

Maybe someday I'll go back to Portaferry
And hear again that lively music scene
To join the Mudcats there a making merry
And watch the Guiness sink in Fiddlers Green

When we got there we said "It's the edge of nowhere"
"It isn't" said big John ," but Never fear"
If the rain stops, and the sun comes out tomorrow
You'll get damn good view of it from here

And did it Rain? Oh bless me, this is Ireland
It poured down like the sky'd begun to crack
But we were snug and warm inside the Fiddlers
A drinking that vile stuff that's coloured black

In Dumicans we drank a lot of porter
You ask me how I know? Well here's the proof
I was on my 13th visit to the toilet
Before I noticed that it had no roof

Now Skipjacks Birthday it occurred in Ireland
And we all signed a card for his good sake
And smiled when he was given a small prezzie
His very own DIY birthday cake

We sang a lot and stayed late at the drinking
And some played music till the early dawn
Including many tunes of Local vintage
And no one seemed to notice No Bodhran!!!

How did we entertain ourselves between times?
even Irish pubs must sometimes close, alas
we drank a lot of tea, and wine from boxes
and Jude and Cat give seminars on Bras

No mention will be made of all the farting
Or of jiving in the pub on Saturday night
And you know that we are too polite to mention
The night time noises from the poltergeist

John Moulden, John and Jacky sang so sweetly
And Frank and his musicians, they were grand
The local folks made welcome all these strangers
And everyone played like it was one band

Oh Maybe someday I'll go back to Ireland
If the Mudcats meet again in County Down
I'll return again to rest myself in Barholm
And enjoy again the welcome in the town

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 04:19 AM

Nice one Micca :-) What's the tune???

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 11:27 AM

Excellent Micca! Excellent! (Small aside - the pub name is Dumigan's.)

One more thought - since we were on the shores of Strangford Lough, I think we should call the gathering

LOUGHSTOCK!!!

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Micca
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 11:33 AM

Tune is Galway Bay!!!!
Fibs after the amount of the black stuff Drunk it would be Loughstock and Barrel!!!!!

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 11:47 AM

ROTFLMAO :-)

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: MMario
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 11:52 AM

Loughstock and Barrel??????


***groan***

Definately a candadate for the "Songs that never would have occurred except for Mudcat" CD (color-code:plaid with paisley stripes and invisible dots)

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 03:41 PM

Ok ..... so now mine and Judes 'discussion' about bras has been immortalised forever in one of Micca's songs!!!!


Cat

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 03:47 AM

Any more piccies anyone? The memory is fading fast :-(

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: GUEST,John Moulden - still cookieless
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 05:17 AM

It was good to see everyone and meet old friends - I've known Kate (Fibula) for 25 years but haven't seen her since she was two - I did however, recognise her parents! I'd have liked to stay longer but the need to take grandsons to Dublin on Sunday (where, and in Galway, I've been ever since, beating my head off library shelves) had to take reluctant precedence. If anyone wants to contact me about local songs it's [e-mail]

Enjoy yourselves - but you do don't you?

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 06:44 AM

Fib-don't you mean Loughingstock? Can't believe it's a week since we viewed each other over breakfast looking for signs of life, only to find very few amongst the survivors.(Of course some of us wondered if you were dead or kidnapped Hil, and were collecting used bottle tops for the ransom, just in case)Skipjack, has written in his book of knowledge (very thin!) that you owe him a goodbye hug.

Great pictures Micca, unusual to see skipjack decked out in cake mix, he's usually just foaming at the mouth. You might be pleased to know that we all survived the week and Skip, Noreen and I had a reunion at his session on Friday.

Skipjack is very pleased that everyone is planning his birthday party next year and has vowed to buy everyone who attends at least 2 pints each!!!!

Actually he has a tight hold of "Frank's IOU a couple of pints", and is having his best forgers working on an exact match of paper, vintage Guiness stains and pen used to replicate an unlimited number of them which he will gladly distribute to the poor and needy of this parish.So life returns to it's dull normallity and we look forward to more pictures and music with throbbing ferry background.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 06:55 AM

We have more photos....will have to get Micca to send them to Pene so everyone can see them!.....Anyone else got any photos to post??

Well its been a week....and I am hoping we are all going to meet up in Portaferry next year. My liver and kidneys have just about recovered and the DT's only lasted until Tuesday afternoon so Im going on a detox so I am ready for the Yorkshire Gathering!!!

Cat

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Noreen
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 12:01 PM

Old-style film with captured evidence still in camera. Full-time working persons don't get to developing shops during the week, and Saturday was a haze after Skipjack's session on Friday night followed by Oakley's hospitality on the farm... (no filmic evidence of that, thankfully.)

Will inform victims of blackmail price as soon as film is developed.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 12:05 PM

I expect to hear from you very soon then Noreen!!!!!

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 12:53 PM

So if I can afford the trip next year, I should bring a sheep, a bottle of aspirin, and an "Arse cake"?

Thanks for sharing the adventure. Quite a rowdy crowd by Getaway standards. We only singabout farts. As for the rest...we have children present. G-rated, you know.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 01:40 PM

SINSULL: a bottle of Port would also come in handy, along with as much massage oil as you can get through customs :-)

EtV: Excellent news about the bottle-top collection (how kind), did you manage to get enough for a jingle-stick? If so, please don't bring it next year...... Please let Skipjack know that I'm intent on organising an away-day from the Bull at Barton to the Sloop at Barton & will be claiming all goodbye hugs *g*

Noreen: will you be scanning & providing said evidence to Pene? (what name on the cheque??)

CatPHiddle: More piccies please!!!!

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 04:18 PM

Hil, believe it or not, I have enough bottle tops to make about 4 big jingle sticks-well Skip says he "wants a big one". I've just got to be totally bored enough to do it!

Sinsull. You've obviously got it wrong! And I hate to correct you in public (me and Skip do corrrection in private!! Ask Alanww) But next year you need; Green wellies and camo-flage (deliberate spelling)suit. I told you the sheep are there, but hiding in the sprout stalks! Don't bring Asprin-the parrots eat em all (Paracetamol-old joke!) You do need to bring a size Double D cup bra, an out of tune bodhran, and a "mountain" green suit.As for your arse- if you leave it at home it will be safe, because you can't have your cake and eat it!

As for the port and massage oil-My Guru should explain that combination, but I warn you-if you get massaged, and drink port, you will have disappeared by the Sunday morning!!!!(Others have! and only re-appear in the ether!)

So if you're silly-sorry, brave enough to do it. Me n Skip will welcome you with open arms next year!!!

Ps bring your friends! Because you will neeed witnesses for the truth.

Cheers

Eric

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 04:40 PM

No Eric, it was cllr's port and my chocolate scented massage oil that kept disappearing and a variety of people then reappeared with smiles on their faces. Copious amounts of the smooth black stuff also kept disappearing along with people's ability to focus the next day, but perhaps the less said about that the better.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 06:06 PM

Well explained Jude dear, er, was it chocolate scented??? I must admit there didn't seem to be a lot of Belgian Chocolate around despite all our previous requests!!!!

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: momnopp
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 06:23 PM

Oh, MAN! I missed the chocolate scented massage oil disappearing into smiling people singing about vile black stuff????? Or something like that...

You can bet I won't miss another of those!!!!!!!

Looking forward to an opportunity to meet you all,

JudyO

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: mooman
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 07:24 PM

OK, OK! I've learned my lesson. Please forgive me! There will be full supplies of belgian chocolate available at the next Loughstock!

Love

moo

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Raven "Where's my pint"
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 07:51 PM

(^_^) think i need to find out what that tune is, cause be good to hear what that songs suppose to sound like micca.

can see its as good as agreed this is gonna happen again, which is cool ... gotta see about learning some of these songs ya'll sang ;)

i'd love to know what that was we all finished off on the Saturday, ack wish my memory wasn't so back ... think it was some homebrew Rum, wish i could remember the names of the nice folks who shared it (^_^)
they were pretty cool too, with some funny songs ... wish i had the staying power to have stayed up til god knows when with all of ya'll but 2am was my limit ;)

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 04:00 AM

Mooman: Very glad that you've earned your lesson - so next year you and the lovely Lady McMoo must come to Portaferry weighed down with the best remedy (Jude's song in my ears)!! May I also place a request for those lovely little biscuits 'speculoos' or some such name - I usually raid the supermarkets in Belgium for them.

Raven: I can't believe that you've managed to get to your age in your household without knowing at least one song backwards - music must be in your genes surely!! You must get sorted for next year & don't forget to pass your test :-)

The couple who joined us in Barholm on Saturday night were Pat & ?? & I've sent a piccie to Micca for onward sending to Pene. They sang some very funny songs & kindly brought a fine bottle of their homemade gin (?? Tree Gin) which went down very well indeed. This is probably why I can't remember much of Saturday evening *g*

If I can get my back sorted out (probably an op) I'll work on improving my massage skills throughout the next year - despite reciprocation we can't leave all the hard work to Cllr can we? So Jude, please lay in stocks of that chocolate scented massage oil ready for the next Loughstock!

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 04:35 AM

I seem to remember it being Beech Leaf Gin, and the chocolate song I sang is by Marcus Turner, an australian I believe.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 04:37 AM

BTW I think the couple were slightly stunned at how fast that bottle went.... but then they did say help yourselves to a bunch of folkies

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 04:50 AM

yes that was silly wasn't it *g*

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 04:57 AM

I've just worked out that given that to block book the whole hostel for 2 days costs £750, at a normal cost of £12 per person per night we would need 32 people (staying 2 nights each) for us to break even, anything more than that and we have a surplus. The hostel can hold up to 50. At such relatively short notice there were 18 booked in, with more time to plan (& save pennies) do we think we could get 32 or more to make it worth booking the whole place?

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 05:15 AM

I've pm's Fib with exactly the same thought & would like to help with this - we need to get some planning in soon - at least setting the weekend. I'll copy my pm to you :-)

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 06:21 AM

My guru - it's speculaas - one of my Ducth blokes makes it, an I have the spices for it, so I'll bring some homemade stuff next year.
I read your PM - will reply when I get a chance!
I'll cobble together a web page of info about Portaferry to aid bookings and ease decisions.

Also everyone - we raised £41.40 for Mudcat in the raffle (where Cllr cleaned up!), and about £25 for the Marie Curie hospice. I'll get the cheques off a.s.a.p.

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 06:21 AM

Ducth? Dutch! Damn this early morning typing!

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 06:29 AM

early morning?????
Homemade speculaas - wonderful, now I'm drooling too *g*

one of your Dutch blokes?????

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: mooman
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 06:32 AM

Speculoos in Belgium! (Different dialect!)

moo

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 06:50 AM

Whatever they're called they're wonderful! Perhaps you could put some in your suitcase anyway Mooman, Fib's going to be feeding the 5,000 with them next year, she may need supplementing :-)

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: GUEST,catsphiddle skiving at work!!
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 09:35 AM

So we are all going next year YEAH!!!!

It would be great i we could a few more people to come along and join in the fun...they don't know what they missed!!!!

I have really enjoyed reading Eric's posts about the weekend and we have more photos to post....just need to censor a few and get the blackmail letters sent out before hand!!!

Cat

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: Letty
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 10:26 AM

Speculaas, mmmm!
Maybe someone at the Groningen gathering can buy some for you?
But homemade is even better of course.
I'd love to come to Portaferry next year, count me in!

Letty

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 10:40 AM

I'll start making a list Letty!!!

I'll try & help Fib with the organising of the accomodation once we've had a chat. So far it's everyone who was there this year plus Letty. All subject to confirmation by a date which we'll have to set at some point of course :-)

Subject: RE: N. Ireland gathering 2003 - THIS WEEKEND
From: JudeL
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 12:55 PM

Perhaps we should sart a new thread for the Portaferry Gathering 2004