Early notice - EuroGathering 2005

Subject: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: mooman
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 08:06 AM

Dear Mudcat Friends,

This is an early alert thread for those who may be interested in coming to next year's Mudcat EuroGathering.

As has become the tradition for the EuroGatherings, the next one will also take place on the first weekend in May as this is a common bank holiday period for many European countries. More specifically, it will be from Friday 29 April to Sunday 1 May 2005 (with possibly some straggling into Monday 2 May. Apologies in advance to those who may wish to attend other events on at the same time...it is always difficult to choose a date that doesn't conflict with various festivals and this one allows the best possibility for 'Catters in different European countries to attend which is the overall aim of the weekend.

As some may know from the Barrow/Hull9 EuroGathering this year, we had some discussion about having the next one in France and so it shall be. Some good friends of mine have offered the use of their nice country farmhouse (this will be a truly rural MudGathering!) which is based in the Marais Poitevin-Venise Verte region of Western France (Vendee). The nearest large town is Niort which has a fast TGV link to Paris and the area is also easily reachable by road (the actual local environs will necessitate me posting a rather detailed map and directions!) with a motorway passing near by. I'll post further travel details later.

The closest small towns and villages are Damvix which has a small and inexpensive hotel, and Le Mazeau and St Sigismond which have B&B and gite accomodation. Coulon is also not far away.

The farmhouse itself has plenty of space for camping and an outdoor open but roofed barn with electricity that will make a fine performing and jamming area. Some limited indoor camping space will also be possible. An outdoor barbeque will be available to all. The neighbouring farmhouse dwellers are alerted and sound as if they are keen to join the festivities. I'll post details concerning the nearby accomodation separately.

I'll be looking into the possibility also of hiring a local hall or space for a "concert evening" as per Brussels and Barrow if people want it.

The "cultural tour" that has become a regular EuroGathering feature will most likely be a couple of hours punt trip on the famous "Venise Verte" canals (see here for an example but bigger "barques" are available for jolly singing 'Catters!) provided that the weather permits. Failing that we might arrange a trip to the rather nice and famous city of La Rochelle.

For those who are interested, mark the dates in your diaries! I'll be posting up further information in due course.

Peace and all best wishes,

moo

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: mooman
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 08:08 AM

Whoops...sorry!

Venise Verte

moo

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: MudGuard
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 08:18 AM

Where can I book floorspace?

Looking forward to it!

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: mooman
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 08:21 AM

First come...first served! You are booked into (onto?) floorspace at the farmhouse Andy (it is quite a long farmhouse)!

Richard

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: MudGuard
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 08:33 AM

Ok, now I only have to find out how to get there... ;-)

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Wolfgang
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 09:38 AM

Dusting off my French now.
I hope the local French is not that far from what I have learned some decades ago.
I remember how surprised I was in Brussels by 'nonante cinq' when 'quatre vint quince' was meant.

Richard, you have been speaking much too nice about me in the 'facts' thread. There are days when I can be really mean. I enjoyed it nevertheless, my friend.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 12:09 PM

Mais Oui! Or should that be May We?

I'm hoping to have the lard options market cornered by then, and award myself a couple of days off. I'd like to bring the Peugeot back to its ancestral home, so I'll try and get there by ferry.

Count me in as a definite God willing definite.

Couldn't you organise it on the 21st May in Upton on Severn? I think more people would be able to make that.

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 02:42 AM

Hi Richard - Second come and served: Book me in for a floorspace, too, please. And my best regards to the Lady.

For all the travellers in train: shouldn't we agree on a convenient TGV from Paris to Niort, and so prolong the gathering a little bit? Wine is not prohibited in French trains, and a small cultivated rolling session could be considered.

And a hint to all newcomers: The date of the gathering is fixed since times immemorial: Always the first weekend in May. It will not be changed. Don't discuss like in this year's thread, please.

Cheers
Wilfried

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 04:10 AM

I am at this moment in time looking on German web sites with a view to purchasing a used camper van [they're cheaper there] So assuming I shall be fully equiped by then, I will make my euro gathering debut en France; to the sound of thunderous apathy no doubt.

Giok
'quatre vint quince' Andy?

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: mooman
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 04:32 AM

Apathy John? No...we can't be bothered with that!

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: mooman
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 04:33 AM

But if Greg greets you with his aerophone it could well be thunderous!

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 04:51 AM

Richard - count me in! I would love some floorspace. Er, "je voudrais une éspace sur le plancher pour une personne". You will all be pleased to hear that I am learning tunes other than polkas on a regular basis these days. I would also be happy to join in a rolling wine-fuelled session on a train or in a camper van (how many musicaners can one fit in a camper van, Giok?).

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: mooman
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 04:55 AM

Wilfied, John and Fibs...you have been duly counted and floorspace allocated sur les planchers. I assume you will be reposing within the campervan John?

Richard

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 05:12 AM

Has the date and the location really been absolutely decided? Couldn't you hold it in Rekyavik on 29th August? Or if that isn't possible, how about having a Mudcat tent at the Zeal Monachorum Dwarf Hurling Festival. That has been going longer, you know, and it's near the centre of Europe.

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: MudGuard
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 05:31 AM

How much is the train fare from Paris to Niort? 57 pounds or 57 Euros?

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 05:33 AM

That's Niort9, Andy. The nine, as always, is silent.

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: mooman
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 05:35 AM

I am still standing firm on this despite the compelling arguments being proposed by His Lardship. I was almost persuaded by the prospect of bathing in the spa waters of the Blue Lagoon with Her Fibulaciousness. And of course I am fully aware that the Zeal event will include many Mudcatters either as participants or participees.

moo

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 05:40 AM

True, moo - that Eric one throws a mean dwarf, or so I've heard. Alas, the blue lagoon must wait for another year, although we can probably go for a paddle in those green canals. Are there whelks there, do you know, or must we bring our own?

Letty, Kate-who-is-Katherine, and Shrek - we have to get working on our little "number"!

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: mooman
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 05:50 AM

You're right Fibs! I even hear he's been known to throw a friendly one as well when provoked. Well, a paddle it will have to be this year!

Alas, the canals are freshwater and whelks will not survive therein so we shall have to make do either with the local water snails or their terrestrial equivalents.

I am intrigued by your last aside to our fellow beauties...will this be a listenable or a wearable...?

moo

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 05:54 AM

a listenable, potentially. However, it's not strictly folk, although horses have not been heard to sing it.

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: mooman
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 06:10 AM

I don't mind at all about that Fibs. As you may have seen from the "Which genre is it?" my thoughts on "folk" are considered unconventional at best. I didn't actually say it meant

"...a person of indeterminate gender and age with a patchy beard and battered hat (optional outdoors but mandatory indoors) singing a 37 verse dirge in a monotone with one finger stuck in their ear and the other up their arse...

but that much was rather unfairly implied by some people. Let us say that my definition of the genre is rather catholic (but includes protestants, jews, followers of Islam, hindus, buddhists, shintoists, animists and others as well).

There will be horses available nearby so we can actually test this theory in practice.

moo

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 12:01 PM

Horses eh-things are looking up! Could be more fun than sheep, they run faster! But I'll need a box or something.

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 12:50 PM

Shall we be playing cricket then Eric?

Fibs, may be able to take you southwards, but we will be visiting friends in Normandy on the return leg. That's if we have a leg left to return on.

Giok

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 05:01 PM

When I got home from the 2004 gathering, She Who Must Be Obeyed said I could have a weekend pass for a trip to France next year. I checked up today and guess what – it's still valid. Looking forward to seeing everyone already!

Doug C

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 07:26 PM

Could I book some parking space close to the farmhouse if I promise to help with the paddling on the cultural tour? (Provided Richard gets up his maps in time ...)

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 10 Jul 04 - 10:13 AM

Blimey, them pictures look like stills from 'Southern Comfort'! We'll pretend to be locals by playing Cajun and marrying our aunties, and we might get out of there with our pelts.

Perhaps Lafayette Loosiany might be a better location, and we could hold it during Mardi Gras?

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 10 Jul 04 - 06:47 PM

Don't you mean mardy grease?

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Letty
Date: 12 Jul 04 - 01:41 PM

Phew, nearly missed this thread again.
Yes, I'd love to come!
Can I still book floor space or is Andy hogging it :) ?
Fibs - I've got the lyrics and the MP3, so prepare yourself for some serious boogie.


Letty - who is really happy with her new dog!

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Kate
Date: 12 Jul 04 - 02:55 PM

Count me in pleas Mooman! Floor space or grass to stick a tent on would be extremely welcome if it's still available. How exciting! Might even go off travelling around sounthern France for the week after.

Fibs - Not preactised yet but am indeed up for that musical treat and I'm sure Sarah will as well. I'll try and get the words for you. Letty are you up for it as well? (Mooman - the aim is to make it listenable - whether everyone else thinks so is another matter!).

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 12 Jul 04 - 05:12 PM

Sadly, this is looking a bit difficult for us Northern workers. I've checked flight schedules for Easy jet, Jet 2 and Ryan air. They either leave well before I can get there or arrive too late to get the trains from Paris. (Yes, I've checked them as well) I'll keep working on this though.Anyone got any very good ideas?

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: mooman
Date: 12 Jul 04 - 05:27 PM

Dear Letty and Kate,

Yes I'm sure we can find some floorspace for you both! Alternatively, there's stacks of space for a tent right next to the farmhouse if you'd prefer Kate.

Dear Susanne,

There will be plenty of parking space right next to the farmhouse.

Dear Doug,

Glad you've got the nod to come.

Dear Eric,

Fret thee not my friend....where there's a will there's a way! If the times don't fit for plane and train maybe we'll be able to find someone coming down from Paris by car.

It's shaping up to be another good turnout and it will be great to see everyone again. Andy's good at keeping a tally of attendees so perhaps I'll ask him nicely if he'd do the honours on that!

All the best!

Richard

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Oaklet
Date: 12 Jul 04 - 05:28 PM

I tried but all I came up with was tunnelling to the farmhouse (we'd hit the pliable Weald clay measures in January), chartering an airship and posting ourselves in individual FedEx guaranteed a m delivery bags with holes punched in to breath and that. But I think that they might not be very good ideas at all and might make Eric the Viking quite cross.

What about Stourport-on-Severn in June?

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 12 Jul 04 - 05:47 PM

Oaklet, it will only make me cross if you don't punch air holes in MY bag!

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 12 Jul 04 - 06:29 PM

Will people PLEASE stop arguing about the date and the location!!!!

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 02:58 PM

Will people please stop arguing about the arguing!!!

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: MudGuard
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 03:03 PM

Will people please argue about stopping?!

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 04:43 PM

57 pounds!!!! That's a rip off!!!! I can't believe you'd charge 57 pounds for me to turn up in sunny France when I could be washing my face in the English rain dew on May morning and dancing naked round a maypole, etc. 57 pounds!!!! I could just sit at home and stare at the damp for half that price. !!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: MudGuard
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 05:08 PM

Maybe we can organize a Maypole for you to dance nakedly around? ;-)

If not - I as the (probably) tallest offer to play the Maypole ;-)

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 05:10 PM

Andy, you are so generous! However, I must decline as you are not a Pole, you're a Bavarian.

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: MudGuard
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 05:15 PM

So you are discriminating against Bavarians?
















;-)

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 07:13 AM

Bavarian Slices are lovely.

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: MudGuard
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 08:43 AM

I will not allow you to cut me into slices!

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Leadfingers
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 08:49 AM

Fibs - Even for the chance of seeing you dance nekkid I have this 'orrible feeling I will not be able to make it in 2005 . Is the Portaferry going to happen in February though ?

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 09:06 AM

Listen you lot, I'm forsaking the nuddie dancing - I don't think it's warm enough even in France at that time of the year.
As for Portaferry, well, I don't see why not, since we have already had a number of enquiries! I'll start a thread for it soon. Bring your own whelks.

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: MudGuard
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 09:14 AM

Fibs, we could replace the Maypole with a big camp fire! ;-)

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: mooman
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 11:08 AM

Camp? Fibs is definitely not camp!

Andy, I'm leaving the compilation of "the list" to you as you're the tallest.

Richard

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: MudGuard
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 11:42 AM

compilation of a list?
A list of who is bringing how many logs for the fire? ;-)

Ok, here we go - in order of appearance in thread:

1. mooman a/k/a Richard
2. Pat a/k/a Lady McMoo
3. MudGuard a/k/a myself
4. Wolfgang a/k/a Wolfgang
5. Greg a/k/a Skipjack K8
6. Wilfried a/k/a Schaum
7. John McKenzie a/k/a Giok
8. Kate a/k/a Fibula the nekkid campfire and maypole dancer Mattock
9. Eric a/k/a the Viking
10. Doug a/k/a Chadwick
11. Susanne a/k/a skw
12. Letty a/k/a Letty
13. Kate a/k/a Kate
14. Sarah a/k/a Shrek
15. Oaklet a/k/a Oakley

Viewing this list is possible, for the amount of £57 per person (reductions of 57 pence for OAPs and children available, also for persons of 99 years age or older if they are accompanied by their parents), payable to me.

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Oaklet
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 12:54 PM

Why am I at the bottom? I should be on top of Fibulamatic.

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: MudGuard
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 01:14 PM

Oakley, before I answer your question, I want to have the £57 you owe me for viewing the list ;-)

Subject: RE: Early notice - EuroGathering 2005
From: Oaklet
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 01:21 PM

OK MudGuard, I'll have a chat with me new mate Gudrun from the German band Cara and see what we can sort out.