OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Nov 03 - 09:25 AM

Chris - do you need a floor again on Sunday night or are you returing the same day!!? I assume you will not be at work on Monday?

Sat from lunchtime till ? we have a birthday party to attend so I dunno when I will be home.

Both Jenny & I have delevloped our photos. Mudcat will sometime soon be overwhelmed with Oz Foray pics as there were 5 cameras snapping all week.


sandra

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Canberra Chris
Date: 28 Nov 03 - 01:18 AM

Well, guess what. My coach back to Canberra this morning was delayed so late I had to postpone my surgery appointment, therefore I remain mobile, and scrambled back home on buses just in time to contact the James Craig, join up, and volunteer for Sunday.

So I will be answering Gavin's call on behalf of Thursday's shanty singers as crew on the James Craig this Sunday. A prouder heart won't beat.

It's only another 3+ hours each way ...

I taped the session on broadcast-quality equipment, it's playing now, sounds great. I record ambient sound from a sweet spot, so it isn't a recording of the singers, it's a recording of that space resonating with the sound of singing. I even caught some of the above-deck antics through the hatch!

Cheers,
Chris

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Nov 03 - 12:18 AM

Last evening aboard the James Craig has to be a high point of our visit here. Our grateful thanks to Gavin Phillips and the rest of the crew for their hospitality and their commitment to sailing this beautifully restored 1870's bark. Singing below decks was wonderful! About 30 people were assembled, with about half of them leading songs. Judy got to lead "Willie Went to Sea" and was delighted with how quickly people picked up on the chorus. I got to lead "Fire Down Below" which was quite effective in filling the space. Brett was requested to lead "Northwest Passage" and did another fine job of singing.

We also got a tour of the ship with different people bursting into song as we recognized some particular artifact. I was especially taken by the galley stack for some reason.(BG)

Then we all moved up to the bow and discovered a capstain to play with. Several bars were fitted in and soon three of us were working our way around, heaving at the bars as the pawls clicked away, to the verses of "Randy Dandy-O." Margaret got the place of honor, the forebitts to sit on. The crew really wouldn't let us frolic in the rigging, which is probably just as well. They were actively recruiting for crew members for this Sunday's sail which is terribly tempting, but I'll be up the coast in Terigal. Just before we broke up I got to lead C. Fox Smith's "So Long (All Coil Down)" as a final song. What a fine chorus, and what a fine way to end the evening!

Now we're kind of winding down our stay in Sydney, dinner this evening with new friends in Newtown. Brett's flying out tomorrow for Guam and Judy and I off to visit a favorite nephew and his new family in Terigal. What joy!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 27 Nov 03 - 07:08 PM

Sandra

I think it was in the Marmite thread that the deadly "forbidden knowledge" about it being used as an explosive was revealed -- with that quantity, they may be sending you their next postcard from somewhere in Cuba... :-)

Robin

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Naemanson
Date: 27 Nov 03 - 06:16 PM

There have been no kangaroo attacks, Mary, so your record stands. I have pictures of Charley feeding kangaroos and wallabies up in Queensland. The closest he came to being attacked was when the roo grabbed his hand so he couldn't move until the food was gone.

We all ate some kangaroo that Bob Bolton provided at the party last Sunday so I guess you could say we attacked a kangaroo.

Yesterday Charley was singing the old "Tie Me Kangaroo Down" but there were no roos around to be controlled.

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Naemanson
Date: 27 Nov 03 - 01:30 PM

The Craig is indeed an impressive ship, especially since I've seen pictures of how she looked when they started. And singing below decks was amazing. There we were in a huge area that ran almost the full length of the ship. Our voices ran around the deck and up through the hatch into the night. I'm sure it must have been an eerie experience for casual onlookers who came dowwn to the dock to see the ship. I envision them standing and looking at the rigging and then hearing the shanties drifting up out of the bowels of the ship. Talk about ghost stories.

As I said at the sing, Australia, good on you for fixing her up! You've done a nice job.

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: JennyO
Date: 27 Nov 03 - 08:10 AM

Well, the weather has finally come good. It was a lovely clear night, with just a little coolness. The James Craig is a very impressive ship. We sang first below deck, and after a guided tour, we sang some more on the deck, surrounded by the harbour lights and with a little thin sliver of a new moon in the sky. It certainly added something to be singing sea songs in such a location!

Altogether a very enjoyable session - and how fortunate that we were able to do it with Charlie, Judy and Brett here! I think John and I will be regulars, except on my monthly folk club nights.

Jenny

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 27 Nov 03 - 07:26 AM

G'day,

Sandra did, indeed, get to the James Craig Shanty session ... along with Charlie, Brett & Judy ... and Canberra Chris - making the 3+ hours each way trip from Canberra just for the great session! In the end, we had 3 of the Roaring Forties: Margaret Walters, John Warner and Tom Hanson ... so the James Craig crew got some interesting cross-feed on shanty singing - in Australian and Maine accents! I hope this lays a foundation for wider interest in the James Craig - 1876 3-masted barque - her crewing and the shanty sessions.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Nov 03 - 01:57 AM

Lana - that "treat" sounds awful. I'm not a great Vegemite fan - when I was younger I used to have a slab of fresh bread, covered with a slab of butter, then a thin scrape of vegemite then crunchy peanut butter. YUM

However my sister is a serious vegemite addict. I dunno what the crew in business class think when my sister & brother-in-law return to California, Nigeria or now Kuwait with a year's supply of huge jars of Vegemite (something like 10 jars @ 3 kilos) ps. Pam does not scrape it on her bread (but apart from this weird characteristic she is a very nice person)

Sinsull - I showed the visitors a picture of a pavlova in one of my cookbooks. They were impressed.

We chatted & lunched, & I really must log out soon as shanty singing starts at 7pm & its 5.55 here

sandra

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 10:25 PM

Pavlova (named for the famous ballerina who could not have enjoyed one and still fit into a tutu):
A heavenly concoction with a meringue base filled with whatever fresh fruit is in season and topped with mounds of whipped cream. Sinful.

So no one's been attacked by a kangaroo???? My record stands.

Just saw an episode of "Judging Amy" (pure sop) in which land investment in Guam is discussed. The next Hawaii. Maybe your ticket to billions, Brett.

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 05:35 PM

Oh Kelli! What a gross thing for anyone to do to you. I trust that person is permanently on your shit list.

You know, dear, if you wanted to come visit in 2005 I can start saving money now to get you to Guam. I would love for you to get the chance to see my new home. Maybe, if you can take enough time off, we could go visit some of the other wonderful Pacific islands as well.

(Please note, this offer only applies to my own family members. Sorry but I ain't paying for anyone else to come to guam. However, I will provide a bedroom for those who wish to chance it.)

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 03:42 PM

Whoops! Not only do I mispell "Manly" but I forgot the negative above for "I'm amazed that someone has blown up that 'ripper rock' in the middle of the channel." That should have read "I'm amazed that someone HASN'T blown up that 'ripper rock' in the middle of the channel." The underwater rock is now plainly marked by surrounding bueys, not to mention white water at the right tide, but I bet it still nails a boat or two cruising along at night.

The Sydney ferry to Manly has to be my favorite ferry ride. Sorry, San Francisco and New York, there's just no comparison. Brett was wondering why we were so lucky to find that empty bench up on the weather side of the bow. She does ship a just a little water as she rolls past the channel of the harbor mouth.

This evening we try out the acoustics aboard the steel bark the James Craig. I was aboard her last week for a tour and they've done a lovely job putting her back together. She's a 1870's vintage cargo carrier, semi-clipper in design, sailed around Cape Horn more than a dozen times, manned by less than 20 crew members. Massive steel spars and lower yards. Now she sails out past Sydney's heads every other weekend and her schedule just doesn't work for me...

But we're looking forward to singing with Gavin Phillips and the rest of his crew. What joy!

Now it's off to brekky and then over to Kings Cross to meet with Sandra.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Lana
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 11:51 AM

That's okay Sandra, besides I won't be seeing my father for rather long time as he's in Guam and I'm in England and a poor student unable to afford the ridiculously expensive airfare to fly half way around the world.
I avoid Marmite and vegemite at all costs, especially have someone tricked me into eating a Twiglet. (in case you don't know what those are...imagine pretzels except instead of salt they are covered in marmite. *shudder*)

Lana

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 08:06 AM

ps. Charley & Brett - It's MANLY - & , it was so named by Governor Phillip in 1788 because the natives had a manly bearing! Rushcutters Bay just down the road from me was another coining of his - the natives were cutting rushes when he saw them there.

Lana - we do have (English) Marmite here also Promite (dunno who makes that), do you want your father to bring back a jar of each for tasting when you next meet? (Just joking!!)

Chris - great song, but then I'm prejudiced cos I think all your songs are great. See ya.

sandra (only 10 hours till visitors arrive, then 9 more till we all get to the James Craig, maybe I'd better get to bed sometime soonish)

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Hrothgar
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 04:31 AM

Beautiful, Chris!

Especially the bit about Martin Johnson doing illegal things.

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 04:19 AM

While you're here, listening to the current Aussie news, enjoy
Aussie Politics In Song
Robin

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 03:25 AM

I didn't get rained on today! That is the first time since I left Port Douglas! However, Charley took me over to Manley on the ferry and the salt spray stood in for the rain.

Sydney has a fun ferry ride. The boat has to cross the entrance to the harbor and rolls broadside through the swells coming in from outside. I saw another ferry roll up a significant amount of bottom paint and when we returned over that same route I could see why. The spray came in over the bow and soaked us where we sat.

So, technically, I have once more been wetted as I visit Sydney. Maybe they should send me out west where the drought is giving them problems. One day out there and they'd have all the rain they wanted.

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 10:17 PM

G'day Chris,

Very nice ... it could almost make me see the whole game in terms of glory ... but then!

Judy, Charlie & Brett: I hope that the clear patches outnumber the overcast - the wind is angling more eastward, but it does not seem to be bringing rain, so maybe Sydney is being a bit more cheery.

See you all on board the James Craig, Thursday night.

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Canberra Chris
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 08:50 PM

NORTHWEST PASSAGE (Northwest Passage: Stan Rogers)

Dedicated to the Aussie forwards in the 2003 World Cup final, and the gallant Canberra-based Canadians.

Chorus: Ah, for just one time I would take the Northwest Passage
To find the hand of Johnson reach illegal for the ball;
Tracing one more line through a pack so wild and savage
And make a Northwest Passage through the maul.

Westward from the scrum-base 'tis there 'twas said to lie
The route through the advantage line for which so many try;
Seeking cup and glory, leaving weary, broken bones
And a long-forgotten trail of grunts and moans.

Three driving mauls thereafter, I take passage overland
In the footsteps of brave Finnegan, when through the scrum he ran
Watching flankers rise before him, then behind him sink again
That hardiest of forwards, driving on despite the pain.

And through the maul, behind the ball, the leg-drive pushing west
I think upon big Willie, Toutai Kefu and the rest
Who cracked their forward ramparts and did show a path for mine
To race a roaring charge across the line.

How then am I so different from the first men through this way?
Like them, I left a settled life, I threw it all away.
To seek a Northwest Passage through the strength of many men
To find myself flung backwards once again.

by Chris Clarke

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Naemanson
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 06:19 PM

Well, he went out to brekky and here I am waiting for him so we can explore Sydney Harbor. I hope they feed him a marmite and vegemite breakfast sandwich!

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 05:06 PM

Yesterday, Ron and I made it out to South Head, in between the showers. Lovely wave cut sandstone, the old lighthouse keeper's stone house, remnants of gun emplacements. What a dynamic view of North Head, and I'm amazed that someone has blown up that "ripper rock" in the middle of the channel. We had previously found shelter from the showers at Doyle's Fish & Chips take-out counter, fought our way through the flocks of seagulls to a bench and fortified ourselves for the trek along the shore.

We also checked out Victoria Street, the battlefield against the forces of urban renewal/removal back in the 1970's, sang a verse or two of Denis Kevans' protest song "Across the Western Suburbs" in honor of the neighborhood organizers. The area now reminds me of Greenwich Village back in the 1970's with its nicely renovated housing, coffeeshops, marketshops. One gets a nice view of the Woolloomooloo finger pier from the promenade.

Then we took off for Botany Bay to view what we could of the container port. Well, we didn't see much through the chain-link fence but the good news is that we didn't attract the attention of any security people.

Today, it looks bright and sunny, a splendid day for a harbor ferry cruise to Manley.

Off to brekky! Why would they serve pickles with toasted bagel and cream cheese?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Lana
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 03:52 PM

definitely stay away from the vegemite....so gross! do they have marmite there too? also gross!

talk to you soon dad, we'll have to try to arrange a phone call for when you get back. i'm moving to a new house on friday, so i'll email you my new phone number when i get it.

love you,
kelli

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Naemanson
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 02:55 AM

By the way, I saw vegemite in the grocery store yesterday. I made sure to steer a wide path around it and away from it.

Sins, I hink I found a piece of black opal for you. You were right, it is all over the place. Hell, they seem to pave the streets with it.

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Naemanson
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 02:16 AM

Yes, unfortunately that huge clamp missed the banjo.

Sinsull, I don't know what Pavlova is but make sure you get Charley and Judy to share the TimTams with you. I have it on good authority that they will be bringing a good assortment back with them.

This morning Margaret introduced me to Weetbix. Yummy brekky cereal.

I went to the Australian Museum today. I saw redbacks, funnelwebs, taipans, estuarine crocodiles, and many other bitey things. Fortunately they were all safely dead and preserved behind glass. Tomorrow Charley and I are headed out on the Sydney Ferry for a run up to Manley.

The time is running out and soon I will have to go back to Guam. Sigh, it must be time to start saving for my next trip to Oz.

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: JennieG
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 01:45 AM

Lamingtons aren't bad either.
I would like to second (and third) all that has been said about the weekend - it was great. Judy I'm sorry you have fallen foul of one of our biteys but at least it wasn't a shark! We'll see you on Thursday night in town.
And I notice there hasn't been a mention of the large G-clamp (at least I think that's what it was, I don't have a technical brain when it comes to tools and stuff) that fell off the roof very close to Charley's banjo - missed by a bee's dick I believe -
Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 09:44 PM

Not a single mention of Pavlova. You are not going to send them back without a bit, are you?

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: JennyO
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 08:44 PM

YAY, 300!!!!!!!!!!!! (childish, eh?)

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: JennyO
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 08:43 PM

I've noticed we are approaching the 300th post on this long and rambling thread, so I might as well claim it, so..........

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: JennyO
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 08:35 PM

Brett, the special meaning that "Northwest Passage" has for you came through in your interpretation of the song, and the special meaning that it has for many of us, because of its association with Dave Alexander, made it all the more poignant. Chris said it well - I could feel the ghost of Dave (The Big Fella) in the room that night. Have you come across the CD yet?

BTW, I agree with you about that singer at the Harp. I'm not keen on his stuff at all.

Jenny

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 07:33 PM

G'day,

Canberra Chris: The James Craig crew have a shanty session on alternate Thursday nights ... either below or on deck, depending on weather (in the Captain's cabin 2 weeks ago!).

With Charlie and Brett visiting, I've tried to help get a good crew of Sydneysider shanty types along to give the James Craig crew a boost. Gavin Phillips has been my contact so far (he's the concertinist with the JC crew on the cover of Sydney's 2003/04 A - K White Pages ... the one with his face totally obscured by the shadow of a spar!), but he's off to t'other side early next year. If you are up in the Big Smoke and hoping to catch up with them, email me (or PM ... if you redeem your cookie) and I'll give you a current contact.

Thanks for the words of We Are the Rugby Ones ... you may have noticed, from the "Hrothgar in Hrospital" thread that I didn't do too good a job of memorising them!

Foolestroupe/Robin:

I take your point - I mostly use the 20% solution ... and the 15% is designated "Mild Strength .. Lotion".

I was just worried, taking into account how innocent Americans often treat Vegemite at first try... :-)

BTW: It isn't only Americans that fall prey to overenthusiastic applications of Vegemite - we had a visiting Polish Mudcatter ("Lenia" ... ?) and she was at (Adelaide?) Airport and looking for a snack. She got a little packet with a couple of "Jatz" crackers and a Portion Control Serve of Vegemite ... which she slathered onto one Jatz ... and scoffed it!

... Yuckkkkk ... ! was roughly the reaction (but possibly in Polish)!

JudyB: Enjoy today's walk - good brisk walking weather the rest of the day. (Don't disturb anything that looks like it bites!)

XX / \ XX (personal emoticon for "All fingers crossed")

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Naemanson
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 06:58 PM

Thanks for the compliment on Northwest Passage. That one holds special significance since I have left home "...at the call of many men to find there but the road back home again." Now when I sing it I am reminded that I have made my own passage from Maine to Guam (with this side trip to Oz).

Sandra, I do indeed intend to make another visit to this part of the world. Port Douglas and Sydney are too small a sample to judge this huge country by. More to come on that. My big trip next year is the Festival Of The Pacific in Palau in July.

This has been such a dynamite trip that I wish I could list everyone I've met, Mudcatters and not, music people and not, and thank them for the great time I am having.

Speaking of which, it's time to continue the fun. I'm off to find a train into the city for the Australia Museum.

Subject: Lyr Add: WE ARE THE RUGBY ONES (Chris Clarke)
From: GUEST,Canberra Chris
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 05:08 PM

First, thanks to Charlie and Brett for the great singing, I loved all of them, including Dead Dog Cider (would the original have been known to Adge Cutler and the Wurzels?). But the one that made the hair stand on end, and for me the highlight of the night, was Northwest Passage. There was someone or something else present in the room. Does it always come out for you like that Brett, or were you temporarily possessed? Maybe you came over here just to do that.

Secondly, as requested:

We Are The Rugby Ones (Parody of 'I Am Australian')

Sometimes for no reason
We form those weird scrums
A form of male bonding
With our heads between our bums
Other times we line up
And leap into the air
But we look so silly when
The ball just isn't there.

Chorus:
We are large, but we are stupid
And from all the rugby lands we come
With leather balls, and silly headgear,
I am, youse are, we are the Rugby Ones.

Welsh sing 'Bread of Heaven'
In parts, for they are hot
English sing the chorus of
'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'
And other songs are sung
In the bath after the game
But their words I would not
Repeat to you for shame.

by Chris Clarke

Coupla notes: for the visitors, the original is a pseudo-patriotic song you might hear sung by a choir on TV ads for Qantas. 'Youse' is second person plural in parts of Queensland (corrections welcome) - corresponds I think to 'y'all'. 'In the bath' - traditionally, rugby players do not shower after a game but all climb together into a huge tiled bath of hot water where they sing much as we did at the Loaded Dog (and for as long), but with rude words. I shudder to think what they would do to 'Northwest Passage'. 'Stupid' - I'm still trying to find the original, but I think it was Rod Kafer, former Wallaby (Aussie rep) rugby player who was quoted in a match program: "Rugby is a stupid game, played by fifteen stupid men". Rugby players don't take it too seriously!

Thirdly, sorry we missed out on Sunday. It was just a bit complicated all travelling together and with gear.

Finally, what and when Thursday on the James Craig? I have sung on it recently, and part of my heart remains 'tween-decks. I have to be there!

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 03:58 PM

Me boots and shoes are gone for good,
Go down, you blood-red roses, go down!
And it's mighty drafty 'round Earlwood,
Go down, you blood-red roses, go down!

Off for brekkie and then a walking tour of greater Sydney with my genial host, Ron Horvath. Hope to stagger back by Thursday!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: JennyO
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 09:22 AM

Hello to all the survivors from yesterday. What a day and night that was! The way that tarp kept flapping and jerking about, I thought we were about to set sail any minute. The singing of sea shanties seemed entirely appropriate. "Paddy Doyle" worked well as a tarp-tying-down shanty, I thought, and it was fun singing the moving shanties. Charlie, I can't find the other moving shanty you were talking about - what was the tune of it again? And thank you for singing "On my journey home"! The recording came out all right, too.

In spite of the weather, I think everyone had a great time - I'm still clearing up the evidence of it today! The tarp continued its downward slide late last night, so John took down one side of it this morning, and it is hanging off the laundry roof at the moment, awaiting better weather to spread it out to dry and put away.

Yes Judy, your hat is here - I thought it was yours. I'll bring it to the James Craig on Thursday. I'm sorry to hear about your infected bite/sting. Did you notice when you were bitten? I was only kidding about the bities you know - not really expecting you would actually have an encounter with one!

Charlie and Brett, I'm afraid you will have to go much further out to find the outback. This was just the 'burbs. And only the inner western 'burbs at that. At least we are far enough out to have houses with nice sized yards. If the weather had behaved as it should have yesterday, we could have sat under the shade of the big tree or spread out all over the yard if we felt like it.

Pity you won't be around for our Summer Solstice extravaganza on the 21st December, or my folk club BBQ on the 10th January. I bet the weather will be perfect. This really is very unseasonable weather for this time of the year, but according to the weather forecast, we might get some nice stuff by Wednesday.

BTW Brett, you mentioned that there had been no mention of the chair, but there has been now. You mentioned it. But I won't ;-)

So I'll see you all on Thursday night. I am considering coming to Toongabbie on Friday too.

Love, Jenny

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 07:26 AM

Bob,
At those dilutions we are talking something reasonable...

I was just worried, taking into account how innocent Americans often treat Vegemite at first try... :-)

Robin

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 07:20 AM

Tucked in the middle of Brett's post was mention of coming back next year & travelling across Oz. Does that include a trip to Sydney? If so I might even let you sing another song or 2 at the Dog & we might even arrange a session or 2!!

sandra

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 06:56 AM

G'day Judy,

If the doctor reckons the bite has put something unpleasant into the lymph system ... then a course of antibiotics is definitely the right way to go (basic approach is similar to dealing with Lyme disease [another arbovirus] up in your part of the world!).

Hoping the kangaroo fillet might have helped in your cure might have been asking too much forgiveness from the kangaroo! Hope to see you Thursday. (Now I have to get back to issue #160 of Mulga Wire ... due at the printers Wednesday morning!)

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 06:05 AM

From JudyB - who doesn't have the ambition to log Charlie out so I can be a guest....

Thank you all for your supportive thoughts and comments. The doctor I consulted (yes, I know - not terribly traditional - but it is MY arm - and my medical problems that I won't bore folks with...) - the doctor thought the rather obvious bite on my arm had become infected, and the red stripe was the infection invading my lymph system - and that sounded potentially serious enough that (in spite of my normal aversion to such things) I decided to take the broad-spectrum antibiotics she prescribed. I should be all better in a couple of days (though I take the pills for a bit longer), and I'm positively impressed by the fact I could wander into a local doctors' office and actually be seen by a doctor within a half-hour.

The tea tree oil did seem to help - but I'm not sure it would have been enough on its own. I'm not about to go chewing blue trees - reminds me way too much of the 60's - though the kangaroo steak was wonderful - and maybe, if it'd applied it to my arm as well as to my mouth....?

By the way, JennyO, I think I left my hat at your place - white with a bit of a drawstring around the top? It was on the chair where I was sitting during the singing just before we left - if you see it, I'd appreciate your sending it back with John (or yourself?) on Thursday when we regroup at the James Craig.

Thanks again for the suggestions, and I hope to see many of you again before we leave.

JudyB

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Hrothgar
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 04:29 AM

Make sure you take a harbour cruise. I did when I was down there last week - never did it while I lived there! Very touristy, but marvellous!

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 02:14 AM

G'day Robin,

15% or 20% solutions ... standard over-the-counter ... not the fanatics' 100% Palm Island (~ ?) rip-off.

I use them straight from the bottle for most casual antiseptic / antibiotic needs ... sans pain, sans panic. I also use about 0.5% in Sorbolene as a standard wash / soap substitute ... and keep a smaller pump bottle with ~2% in Sorbolene for trouble spots.

Straight application of the 15% or 20% is fine on skin (mine, anyway!) /abrasions /scratches /shallow cuts. I have also used it at the ends of my lips for cold sore treatment ... some warming tingle, but good, quick effective treatment. I think I'd culture the 'frig before I tried to blame tea-tree for scarring. (Shades of Peter Berryman's When did we have Sourcrout [not my spelling!] ... Charlie?)

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 12:48 AM

Raw tea-tree oil on the skin on an abrasion or cut can BURN - it can kill the skin cells, leaving a wonderful scar. Last weekend we were gazing in awe at the scar caused by this on a friend of ours who dabbed it on a scrape on her arm on the door of the frig...

In small amounts in dilution in vegetable oil it is useful as an antiseptic, but I would not put it or eucalyptus oil undiluted on the skin - nor anywhere near the eyes...

Aussie Bush Tucker can be fatal, as some early explorers found out... :-)

Robin

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 12:18 AM

G'day Charley,

Liberal dabs of tea-tree oil ... combines antiseptic properties with some measure of effect on arboviruses (arthropod borne viruses) - insects, ants and small spiders, &c - and soothing effects on irritated skin.

(I won't recommend the emergency poultice I used while on a seriously under provisioned bush walk ... about 40 years ago. My boots were too new and only poorly worn-in ... I ended up with an infected ingrown toenail ... and we had no good 1st aid gear, so I lightly chewed a bunch of Sydney Blue Gum juvenile leaves, wrapped the mess up in more of the same, put back on my socks and boots --- and walked out the next 5 days. It healed well ... but that was before I knew that the Sydney Blue Gum's juvenile leaves are quite blue because of high levels of - Prussic Acid - hydrocyanic acid ... the tree uses this to discourage koalas from snacking on too many of the tender juvenile leaves!

Anyway, I take it you, Judy and Brett all survived the sample of kangaroo fillets ... ? I thought I did them almost as well as the Koori Katerers down at the Illawarra folk festivals!

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: JennieG
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 11:48 PM

Gosh Charley, I don't know....it probably depends on the length of the red line....!
And yesterday Brett was introduced to Tim Tams, I have never seen a look of such joy come slowly over a man's face. Then when he found out they come in dark as well.....I don't think Guam will ever see Brett again.
Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 08:08 PM

The "chair"? Oh, I don't know, Brett, I can almost feel a song coming...

Gee, Judy has this long red line extending out from her latest insect bite. Does anyone know how long we have before we should decide to amputate?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, back from brekky

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Naemanson
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 07:47 PM

Charley, you didn't sleep in as late as I did! But then, I am learning to love the sleeping in bit. I don't know how I'll ever get to work on time next week.

Outback? That was the outback? Somehow I thought there'd be more scrub brush and sand and fewer neighbors. Maybe next year when I take the train cross country to Perth...

What a wonderful bunch of songs and recitations I've heard over the last four days. I think they are all just wonderful. And the singers are amazing; John, the Shiny Bums, Simon, Margaret, Touchwood, and all the other people we've met on this trip. I don't think I've heard a bad piece of music yet with one exception One performer at the Harp on Thursday seemed to think louder was better. Actually better songs would have been better.

Now I have (or had) three evenings and days to myself. But Charley just called to tell me his hosts have extended a dinner invitation to me tonight. Sigh, no rest for the weary. But I met them at the Dog and they appear very interesting people so it will be no sacrifice.

And now, I must be off. So far I have seen nothing of Sydney except standard street scenes and cold rainy weather. I would complain about the weather but I get so few opportunities to enjoy the cold anymore that I have decided to appreciate it.

Nice to see there has been no mention of the chair...

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 06:12 PM

Evidently I'm the sole survivor from yesterday's magnificent BBQ/Sing at John and JennyO's, or more likely everyone else has staggered off to work.

Well, Brett, you've finally seen some of Australia's fabled "outback," complete with tarp and BBQ. As we cautiously approached the site in the midafternoon, flattening ourselves against the brick wall of their house, we could hear laughter and shouts from the assembled folkies. As we turned the corner they came into view as they dashed to retighten various lines supporting the tarp, reinforcing the tarp hardware by hammering it back together with a 2X4, John was very much in command as he shouted orders and scrambled up the stepladder for the more dangerous work aloft. When everything was coiled down again, we all settled in for singing and food preparation, until the next wind and rain blast.

There were instruments a-plenty. In addition to the usual guitars, there were concertinas, a banjo, a bazouki (?), a bag pipe and a hurdy-gurdy. And there must have been 20 or so singers and storytellers. There were at least 8 or so Mudcatters attending and if the pictures come out we'll have documented proof of this assembly. The ones I remember besides Judy and myself are Naemanson, Bob Bolton, JennyO, Sandra in Sydney, JennieG, and Caillie; there were at least 5 or 6 other members and lurkers. People from the sea music group "Roaring Forties" included Margaret Walters and John Warner. Another treat was Gavin Phillips, a sailor and sea music singer from the tall ship James Craig, whom we'll be singing with aboard the Craig this Thursday evening.

There was plenty of food to sample in addition to the chicken and lamb kababs that we brought. Very little tofu, I will note, primarily various forms of dead animals cut into steak-like or sausage components and charred to a lovely finish. And there were quantities of beer, ale and wine.

We started with mostly sea shanties, and outrageous parodies of the same. When things moved inside to John's train room, the music continued in more varied fashion, more stories were added including John's prize-winning story about the rural fire brigade's incredibly powerful new pumper...

Bob Bolton kindly ferried a somewhat boisterous us back to our respective hosts in Darlington and Glebe, some time after midnight.

Thanks for another fine time!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, sleeping in late again

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 05:22 PM

The Loaded Dog, what a fine place for singing and what a great audience! Thanks to Sandra for keeping this place together and inviting us to sing; we're now sporting her little soft sculptures of loaded dogs, each tenderly carrying a stick of dynamite (how do we get these beasties through customs?).

One of our squigglies by the way, a bright green one, has slithered off and found a new host; it's nice to think that hemispheric balance has been restored; I don't think there has been a squiggly in Sydney since the end of the Cretacious Period. Of course, you really need a breeding pair to re-establish them here, but maybe the green one is pregnant.

From what I heard sung by the Shiny Bums, I had a lot of favorites. "The Office Fridge" compares well to Lou and Peter Barryman's "When Did We Have Saurcrout(sic)" and I particularly liked "Filing." We didn't have a clue about particular targets in their songs, but the commentary/sentiment was universal. "When the Auditors Come Marching in" could prove quite popular back home, but I'm not sure if we have anyone in office who rises (?) to the level of a "John Howard," whomever he is.

Simon is clearly a master of outrageous parodies, a joy to watch as well as listen to. Too bad he's not going to be at this afternoon's BBQ. We almost converted our whole set into warped songs in response, but wisely decided to be more responsible. We did get much needed help from the collective chorus on "Dead Dog Cider" which some day will be returned in its new arrangement to the dark smokey pub in Bristol, UK, where we first heard it; hope they enjoy the new chorus as well.

Brett did a fine job of leading "Northwest Passage." Good for you, big fella!

Now we have to figure out how we're getting to that BBQ in Earlwood. There's the 412 Campsie bus which passes by here somewhere and goes within a block of John and JennyO's door. Or we could pool for a taxi. We could walk but even Bob Bolton might have serious reservations about attempting that. By the way are bottle shops open on Sunday?

Well, it's off to breakfast!

Charley Noble, having a good time and greedy for more

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: JennyO
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 10:22 AM

What a great night we had at the Dog! I was almost moved to tears, hearing Brett singing Northwest Passage, with the Dog audience swelling the chorus, and slowing down towards the end - every note hanging there and being savoured. I never wanted it to end. The last time I heard it like that was at a Dave Alexander memorial concert. Thanks Brett. I was in and out of the kitchen a lot, but I made sure I was in the room for Charlie and Brett's bracket, which was thoroughly entertaining.

Simon was in very good form, and obviously had been working on "Ann Boleyn" with Andrew for some time. Good stuff, mate.

The Shiny Bums were a hoot as usual, and some of the Bums floorspots really stood out too. The Les Barker one springs to mind.

Anyway, the BBQ is only a few hours away now. The giant tarp awaits anything the weather can throw at us, although a nice sunny day would obviously be preferred. I've printed out the moving shanties from my old moving thread, so I should go to bed now. But will I?

Jenny

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 09:27 AM

strangely enough, tonight at the Dog we sold a lot more tea than coffee!!

What an amazing night - the Dog audience, agumented with the Shiny Bum Singers & Brett, Charley & Judy, were in fine voice (& the acts on stage weren't bad, either).

Various Bums provided floor acts (including "Father of Shiny Bums" or Mudcatter Canberra Chris). Next Rhymin' Simon gave us 30 minutes of his wide repertoire, including Micca's "The Hash my Father Scored" learnt from Micca when he, JennyO, Callie, Chicky & other members of Solidarity Choir toured Engand & Ireland a couple of years ago. Simon also included his other party piece "Clancy of the Party Cone" (parody of the great Australian poem "Clancy of the Overflow"). He included my favourite song about 19th century shipwrecks & courage & a ghost!. And he finished his set with "With her head tucked underneath her arm", another ghost song. Fun as always.

The Bums did old favourites like "The Office Fridge" containing the immortal lines "The office fridge is full of slime/Nobody's cleaned it in our time" & The Mentoring Song (chorus "Save your arse, your arse/No matter what the bosses say/You will ignore anyway/Save your arse, your arse") & new things like the Rugby Song (the world cup final was on tonight!) & did a bit of packing down into a scrum (part of a scrum!) - so cute in suits & South Park ties!

Brett & Charley got the audience going with Dead Dog Cider (what a treat!) & sang various Roll & Go songs & kept the laughter (& singing going). Brett sang North West Passage, probably not heard here since the late, great Dave Alexander sang it.

Wonderful, wonderful night - it's only 1.20 now & I'm still wide awake, buzzing & listening to Outward Bound yet again.

sandra

Subject: RE: OZ Foray from Maine & Guam-Late November
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Nov 03 - 09:26 PM

Hi Dick, I'm certainly happy about the Rose being in that movie. I have fond memories of singing on her and Charley rolling in laughter at my screw up in Tom Lewis's Last Shanty.

As Sandra and Jenny have pointed out I am learning a lot of localisms, "wank" and "inside thongs". Of course, back in the States we use the word "thong" in the same way. The other word for that kind of footware is "flip-flop".

The music last night ran on to 2:30 or so. I am impressed with Sandra's endurance. She got hone and posted. After Margaret and I cleaned up the house I staggered off to my bed. She was just fixing herself another cup of tea. These Aussies are amazing.

I woke early and came down for some tea. I read for a while and then went back to bed (Well, excuse me, but this IS a vacation!). I woke around 10:00 and then again around noon (see last comment). It was raining anyway so I wasn't going to venture out too quickly. Soon I will go forth in search of used bookstores and music shops. I will wait on seeing the sights until I am sure the school kids are safely back in their class rooms. Besides, as I said, the weather is pretty crumby.

Must be time for another cup of tea... Oh God, I think I'm tuurning Aussie!