EuroGathering 2005 Countdown

Subject: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: mooman
Date: 02 Mar 05 - 05:23 AM

(otherwise known as The Not The Moor and Coast Festival)

Dear EuroGatherers,

As the previous thread is well over 100 posts now, I thought it opportune to create a new one leading up to the event. In the next day or so I will post up some practical information and a provisional programme (which of course will be open to complete rearrangement as usual on the day itself!).

As previously announced, the gathering will take place between Friday 29 April (for early arrivers) and Monday 2 May (for late leavers) and will be centred round our friends the Jerram family's farmhouse at La Garenne, near St Sigismond, near Niort (or Niort9 if you prefer) in mid-Western France (Vendee-Charente Maritime area).

Some people have booked floorspace and others will be camping or motorhoming in the ground. There are also some cheap hotels and B&Bs nearby and I will link to those shortly.

One such possibility for accomodation is La Bosselle in Damvix (about 2km away) which is where we are confirmed and will be welcomed on the Saturday night to play music and entertain the locals! Their website seems to be down at the moment so here is something retrieved from Google's cache which gives details:

Huit chambres, 1 salle de restaurant, 1 terrasse et son jardin ombragé.

À Damvix, au cœur du Marais Poitevin, l'hôtel Restaurant La Bosselle vous accueille toute l'année dans un cadre et une ambiance agréable et conviviale. En famille, entre amis, ou en groupe, venez découvrir La Venise Verte et explorer un milieu naturel extrêmement riche, en barque, à vélo, et pourquoi pas à cheval. L'équipe de La Bosselle ainsi que nos partenaires sommes à votre disposition pour la réussite de votre séjour. N'hésitez pas à nous contacter !

À bientôt à La Bosselle

Établissement recommandé dans le guide du routard 2005. Membre adhérent à la Fédération Française de Cyclotourisme.
Chèque vacance, Ticket Restaurant, CB et chèques acceptés

Hôtel Restaurant LA BOSSELLE
5, rue de la Garnauderie
85420 DAMVIX
Tél. [phone]
[e-mail]

Saturday afternoon's "traditional" EuroGathering trip will comprise a trip by punt(s) around Venise Verte's famous canals and I assume musical instruments will be brough along for a session afloat (weather permitting!). If the Jerram girls come along we may stage a 'Catters vs. locals football match on a convenient-sized field they have. Again, I'll post details as I get them together with other addresses, maps and the like.

More information soon!

Peace,

Richard (mooman)


Link to previous thread

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Mar 05 - 05:34 AM

Not too long now Richard, looking forward to it already.
Giok ¦¬]

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: mooman
Date: 02 Mar 05 - 06:19 AM

Here's a

Clickable Map

of the region for those who would like to book mark it. La Garenne in more or less mid-way between Damvix and Le Mazeau.

Richard

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: mooman
Date: 02 Mar 05 - 06:24 AM

And another link concerning

Venise Verte

and the canals and surrounding district.

Richard

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: Wolfgang
Date: 02 Mar 05 - 08:11 AM

Susanne and I shall be coming by car, arriving Friday, leaving Sunday. As for accomodation I have not yet made up my mind.
I think I'll try singing too. Be warned.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 02 Mar 05 - 02:13 PM

Oh no! Not soccer, or do you mean proper football Richard?

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 02 Mar 05 - 03:05 PM

Football?

Perhaps someone could explain the basics to me - where the wickets go and that sort of thing.

Doug C

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Mar 05 - 03:54 PM

Fur he's fitba' crazy, he's fitba' mad
An that fitba' gem has ta'en awa, the little bit o'sense he had
Fur he cries her Charlie Tully an ither names sae droll
Last nicht he kicked her oot the bed
An shouted, "IT'S A GOAL"

Giok who prefers Petanque

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: mooman
Date: 02 Mar 05 - 07:09 PM

OK...OK! Some game with balls will be arranged then to suit you all!

Richard

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: MudGuard
Date: 05 Mar 05 - 05:58 PM

Noone is going to play with my balls! (except maybe me ;-))

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: mooman
Date: 05 Mar 05 - 06:09 PM

Yes I remember Portaferry Andy! (;>)

Richard

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 05 Mar 05 - 06:51 PM

Remember this is a family-friendly forum, please! So no more talk of ball games.

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 05 Mar 05 - 07:17 PM

Yes, this si a spolling isght not a ball geme slight!

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 04:35 AM

Oblate follicled spheroids

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 10:42 AM

Hi folks - Feb 24th I had my last operation (re kidney quarry) and was kicked out of the sickhouse. On the way back home I slipped on the ice, fell upon my head (bruises only), broke 2 ribs and 1 left arm, and was brought to the next infirmary (fortunately 3 minutes away from my house). Now I'm home again and pressing the keyboard for a training.
Either I'm too stupid to find the happy birthday skipjack K8 thread, or there is none (is it possible?)
So I take the occasion here to send my late but none the less heartfelt and sincerest felicitations to our ringleader of the 2004 gathering. Happy Birthday, Greg, and many happy returns of this day!
As the doctors say I should be ready for travel before April/May. So let's hope to meet again in France.

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: MudGuard
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 11:57 AM

seems like the bump on your head had some effect ;-)

Greg's birthday thread

Btw: Gute Besserung

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 11:59 AM

There you go foamy Wilfreid
Giok

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 12:00 PM

Snap!!!

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 09:22 AM

I've been informed there's a good market in La Rochelle on a Saturday morning.
Giok

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: GUEST,MudGuard/MudGuest
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 10:19 AM

Flights to Paris and back are booked.

I'll land there at 11:10 on Friday.
As I don't know how long it will take to get out of the airport and on to Gare Montparnasse, I can't say at what time I will arrive at Niort ...

==> Richard, if you could send me your mobile number (by PM) ...

The flight back is on Monday evening, so there is plenty of time to get back to Paris ...

Btw, that "Clickable Map" way up in this thread leads to an error page ...

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 10:25 AM

Not with my Firefox browser Andy, are you maybe stuck inside the Mittlerer Ring?
Giok.¦¬]

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: MudGuard
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 10:34 AM

With my Firefox as well as with my Opera.

"Une erreur interne est survenue" ...

Even if I switch off the sending of Referrer and/or switch the user agent string to IE 6 on Win XP in my Firefox.

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 11:04 AM

I see; the traffic lights are broken then!
Giok

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: GUEST,mooman, somewhere in Lisbon keeping an eye..
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 01:13 PM

Always broken (or ignored) in France!

Will send you my mobile Andy. And John, yes, there´s an excellent Saturday market in La Rochelle. A trip can be arranged of course...

Richard

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 01:16 PM

Ah the lovely Lisboa, Fado, Aguardiente, Fado, Sagres, San Geronimo, and
Pasteis de Nata. Uma galao for shavor! [Sp?]
Giok

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: MudGuard
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 02:08 PM

Richard, the number is enough, I don't want your mobile ;-)

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: MudGuard
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 03:06 PM

I just checked the train times.
There is one leaving Montparnasse at 10:50 which I can't reach as I land at 11:10, and the next at 13:10 which I should easily reach.

I'd then arrive at Niort at 15:25

Should the plane be delayed very much, the next train will go at 14:20 reaching Niort at 16:29

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: Letty
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 06:26 PM

B*ll*cks, the flights are pretty expensive around that weekend.
Will try to figure out another way to get there.

Letty

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: MudGuard
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 06:36 PM

Letty, you could swim across, then it's only about 55km to walk from La Rochelle to Niort. ;-)
Or take a boat.

You must come, Letty, by whatever means of transport!
There is only six of us hardcore EuroGatherers left - only six people who were at all of the EuroGatherings. You are not allowed to leave the hardcore, Letty!

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: Letty
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 05:05 AM

And me the only woman of the lot too. And the only blonde.
Yes, I see now that I have to go. I'll have a look at the ferry prices, there's supposed to be a link to Brittany.

Letty

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: Letty
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 05:16 AM

addendum: no luck, the Cork-Roscoff ferry only goes on Saturdays, returning on Fridays. Bah.
There ARE cheap flights to Heathrow, if I could join anyone there it might make the journey more affordable. We'll see.

Letty

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: MudGuard
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 05:55 AM

Flying cheap to Heathrow and cheap from Heathrow to Paris?

Or ferries from Rosslare to Cherbourg/Le Havre?

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: mooman
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 06:15 AM

You're not the only woman or blonde Letty! The delectable Kate-that-is-Kate will be with us too. And Patricia... (who is hardly blonde though!) (;>)

Ricardo

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: MudGuard
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 06:20 AM

Ricardo, neither Kate nor Patricia are hardcore Eurogatherers.

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: mooman
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 06:38 AM

True Andy...but Patricia only missed one (Hull9)!

Richard

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: MudGuard
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 07:25 AM

So at maximum Patricia qualifies for the softcore, but not for the hardcore ;-)

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 10:26 AM

Gosh Andy you do live dangerously don't you!
Giok ¦¬]

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: MudGuard
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 10:52 AM

Participants list:

mooman
LadyMcMoo
MudGuard
Wolfgang
Susanne (skw)
Skipjack K8
Wilfried Schaum
John 'Giok' MacKenzie
Fibula Mattock? (she seems to prefer Washington DC)
Eric the Viking
Doug Chadwick
Letty
Kate
Shrek?
JeZeBeL

Did I miss anyone?

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: Letty
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 10:59 AM

Add a question mark to my name, please.
Sorry to bother you all with the details, but just to keep you posted:
Ferries don't agree with the weekend, even the one from Rosslare. I'd have to leave on the Tuesday (extra holidays...), and there are no trains back on the Sunday (no Monday fare), so I'd have to take the car, which would make it unaffordable again.
It comes down to a flight plus train trip.
Looking at it, it'll be about 300 euros either way (Cork-London-EuroStar/TGV or Cork-Paris-TGV). About twice the amount I could afford, so sorry folks: unless a last-minute deal comes up, I won't be there.
Sniff.

Letty

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: mooman
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 11:12 AM

Didn't Oakley express an interest at one time Andy. I might check with him...

Richard

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: Charmion
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 11:34 AM

Your list did not include CET and Charmion, coming all the way from Canada.

We may not be core (think of us as rind), CET has already booked us into the hotel in Damvix and negotiated the hire of a car. As the winter takes its last grip on Ottawa -- still air temperature of minus 22 Celsius; minus 32 with the windchill this morning! -- we maintain our spirits by drooling over the Michelin Green Guide to the Atlantic coast of France.

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 11:37 AM

I seem to remeber Skip offering Dr Phibes a lift, perhaps Letty you could hook up with him? I can take you down, but can't bring you back, as we're having a couple of weeks holiday after the gathering.
BTW you can add Liz my 'live-in staff' to the numbers, she doesn't really like folk music but she wants a holiday in France, she can't sing anyway!! [I know; that makes two of you, nyah nyah!]

Giok ¦¬]

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: MudGuard
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 11:52 AM

CET and Charmion - sorry, missed you.
Oakley? He wanted to be on Fibs. And in Stourport-on-Severn in June. Not sure about Niort.
Letty, do not disappoint me!

Revised list:

mooman
LadyMcMoo
MudGuard
Wolfgang
Susanne (skw)
Skipjack K8
Wilfried Schaum
John 'Giok' MacKenzie + Liz
Fibula Mattock? (she seems to prefer Washington DC)
Eric the Viking
Doug Chadwick
Letty?
Kate
Shrek?
JeZeBeL
Charmion
CET
Oaklet???

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: mooman
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 12:25 PM

We should not discuss Oaklet's romantic desires here Andy! (;>)

Richard

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: MudGuard
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 01:35 PM

Exactly why not?

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: MudGuard
Date: 10 Mar 05 - 02:35 AM

50 days to go.

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: Oaklet
Date: 10 Mar 05 - 03:02 AM

I'm on the bottom again! I'd be happier between Eric the Viking and Fibulamatic if that's possible.

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: Terry K
Date: 10 Mar 05 - 04:18 AM

I was always coming (especially since I learnt a whole new chord), but now can't. I have a gig in Dubai which impinges on the start and a further gig (with golfing sticks) around Cannes which impinges on the end of it. I'd be prepared to miss the golf but not both - especially as Dubai is a company junket for a week, everything paid for, including all drink. I'm sure you see my problem.

Maybe the date could be changed.................

cheers, Terry

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 10 Mar 05 - 04:21 AM

Oakers, I will move heaven and earth to be between you and Eric if yous can promise that the earth will move for me!

I'm still waiting to find out about my Washington conference. I'm definitely supposed to be in DC on that weekend, but the money has not yet magically appeared to get me there, and there's no way I'm paying for a conference trip myself when I could be floating down the green sheughs on a punt with you lot. I have even forsaken the offer of a dancing weekend and I'm mad into my dancing at the minute.

Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2005 Countdown
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 10 Mar 05 - 04:23 AM

Letty, if I'm there then you have to be there - we have a girls party piece to perform!