Touring in UK

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: breezy
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 10:25 AM

the aussies usually live in a campervan

I'm waiting for the 'Ill crawl everywhere' line

I can sell/hire you an old espace, you can sleep in that.Leaks a little when it rains.You pay tax and insuranceand running costs

$2000 deposit cash and its yours for ever,

When do want it?

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 10:42 AM

The campervan thing is quite a good idea if you want to take aa risk. Fly into London - make your way to Earls Court (I think that's where the Aussies hang out - help anyone?) You used to be able to pick up a 'bargain' camper then 'do' the UK in it and sell it on again when you get back to the smoke! Like I said, bit of a chance and you could loose out big time but usualy lots cheaper than renting a car and stopping in digs.

Check in here on the'cat as well of course. Usualy loads of people willing to let you crash down with them and ferry you round a bit. I'd be willing to help in the Manchester area. Have to clear it with Mrs G though. She keeps complaining about all the wierdos I keep inviting...

;-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: breezy
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 10:56 AM

Hey Dave ,when can I come, I can be a weirdo if its part of the deal.
If I'ld known I'ld have come for the commonwealth games instead of discovering Morrisons.
Happy new year.
Can I bring George Papavgeris, he can be weird too?

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 11:59 AM

Far be it from me to give careers advice ( a bit like the Captain of the Titanic giving lectures on staying afloat). I think you have to decide what youre doing - a cycling holiday or a step on the road to to productive employment.

folk clubs aren't hobo camps. they are full of nice middle class people who like real ale and real songs.

if you wish to be considered as a professional, its as well to turn up with an instrument that looks like you mean business and not shagged out after a day in the saddle.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 12:10 PM

We were very tempted to go away for the games! City full of furriners, mutter bloody mutter...

:D

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: artimus
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 12:35 PM

Well, I'm not coming for a cycling tour and a bus or train doesn't seem incredibly expensive. But I'm wondering about shortcuts and deals that those of you who have learned about through experience can share with anyone who might want to tour the UK.
I'm checking out some of the links that people have provided in this thread. Looks good.
And here's another song: Dire Wolf

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST,Noreen
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 01:26 PM

And I'm not very interested in playing festivals. I play real live unamplified music...

If the two sentences were meant to be connected, as I read it, then you are thinking of something different from our festivals. I sing real live unamplified unaccompanied music, and have a wonderful time all summer singing at festivals, which is why I suggested the idea and provided links so you could find out more.

You'll not do very well by expecting everything over here to be just like home- we don't have front porches to sit on, and I don't know of anyone whose living room is large enough for a house party- it just isn't done over here. In this country if you invite people round for music, you certainly wouldn't charge them, so you'd make nothing there.

Get your head round the suggestions people who know are making!

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: tarheel
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 01:33 PM

good luck,gooberooooooo!!!

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: artimus
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 02:05 PM

No. I guess it's not going to be the same. I'm suggesting things that I know work in other places. That doesn't mean that I assume they will work everywhere. And there are some very good ideas here that I'm checking into.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Leadfingers
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 06:51 PM

Goobereoo - Assuming you have a full driving licence , there is a place NOT too far from Heathrow where they do car hire for £35 a week , witha Returnable £200 deposit ! If thats of any interest send me a PM and I will return the details . So petrol isnt cheap but a car
from rentabanger will be a lot cheaper than public transport !

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: artimus
Date: 31 May 06 - 02:53 PM

I didn't go to the UK because of a death in the family.

Now I am thinking of coming next summer.

But i'm considering Ireland.

How is busking there?

I think I could get the feel for of it on the West Coast in June.

Then make my way down to the Southern Coast
and up to Dublin in the Autumn.

Please review this thread and revise your thoughts in light of Ireland.

(bus, trains, walking, bike, food, shelter, etc.)

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: jojofolkagogo
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 02:45 PM

This guy is DEFINITELY a wind-up ..... but its been fun reading it!


If he is serious, he will very soon learn that he is not making any money ... busking in the London Underground you need a Council Licence for, only its limited to a very few people EVERY YEAR


Walking is a no-no will just use up too much of that short holiday

TWO of my very nice folkie friends are DEAD through cycling in England
dont do it, that's sound advice.

Coaches are the best long-distance cheap travel option

Why not go to only ONE area - ESSEX for example has many many folk clubs and see what they are like - you WONT be paid though ...

the festivals are great, but again you wont get paid though ...


Come over, have fun, learn just how EXPENSIVE petrol (gas) is !!!!

you will not believe it until you are here ...

Come one over, and meet us all

wind-up and all   :~>

Jo-Jo

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: artimus
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 04:57 PM

HEEEYYYYYY!

I said "Ireland" in my last post.

I originally titled this thread "Touring in UK"

But since so many of your posts were discouraging for England, I'm thinking West Coast of Ireland down to the South Up to Dublin.

Someone out there have experience busking in Ireland.

Note: I realized after I came back to this thread that I didn't even know what the UK was. I was condidering Ireland and Scotland too.

Also: I realize now that probably over 50% of the regular posters here are situated around London or other parts of England.

You know studying a map of Great Britain for an American your land doesn't look like there could be much variety. It's like the size of one of the mid.sized States in the USA. But since I started this thread I've met and talked with some Brits and they tell me that you can drive an hour or less and hear a different dialect.

I didn't realize that this is somewhat of a local site. Is it not?

Thanks for telling me about Ireland AND Scotland too.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST,maryrrf
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 07:48 PM

The problem with busking in Ireland is that there are just so many excellent musicians and there is a lot of free music to be had for those who want to listen (sessions in many of the pubs). I don't think you should count on busking or spur of the moment gigging to pay your way while you're there. If you can get some gigs lined up ahead of time that might help but I think you're far too late if you're hoping to get something for this summer. By all means go over to soak up music and companionship and I'm sure you'll meet lots of nice people, but you'll need to take along enough money to support yourselve on while you're there, and it would be a good idea to do some research (travel guides, etc. to get a realistic idea of how much money you would require. Ireland used to be inexpensive, but unfortunately it isn't anymore.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST,folk1e
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 08:20 PM

When I were a lad we all walked to school and there were at least 5 dialects!

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST,Friendly northerner.
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 03:21 AM

Liverpool is the place to be! Stay in hostels, blag a bed from friendly musos - get a tent - You will be more welcomed and accepted in the north of the U.K than in the insular south.

Just a ferry ride to Oirland too!

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: jojofolkagogo
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 08:02 AM

OK northerner, NO-ONE is biting !!!!


Us southerners are REAL friendly anyway !!!

Jo-Jo

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: IanC
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 08:46 AM

Gooberoo

You can try Ireland if you like but, unless you have a car, the transport infrastructure is much worse than Old England. Also, there are fewer people about, not too many large towns and - outside the main tourist areas - it's sometimes much harder to find out what's going on.

If you want to tour, then England's fine.

Your best bet is to sort yourself out an itinerary. Get a map, work out how far you can sensibly travel every day, include 1 in 3 days as a rest day. Take advice from people locally.

When you're happy with what you've got, publish your itinerary here. People in England are, in general, friendly and hospitable - especially if they think they know you. You'll probably get offers of accommodation fairly quickly and the people accommodating you may well be only too keen to take you around with them, show you the scenery AND arrange opportunities to sing/play.

Ask people like Joe Offer who have come for a week or two whether they've ever had to find themselves anywhere to stay.

We welcome mudcatters!

:-)
Ian

PS - start and end in London, which is cheapest for transport to the USA and expect to stay in the vicinity of London for at least 2-3 days at either end. Opportunities for music in and around London are endless, but don't expect anyone to pay you.