back from Whitby Folk Week

Well, we have returned from Whitby; all blogging ceased during Folk Week, because there was simply too much to do! Firstly, tried loads of violins for size and fell in love with the first one that Geraldine Stephenson got out of the back of her van. It's about 100 years old, and comes from France via the Shetlands; it's lovely and has transformed the sound I produce when I play. Then, it was ceilidhs and other assorted related dances every night 'til 1, and up at 8 to go to workshops! Phil and I managed not to annoy quite as many people with our dancing this year, I think we only got things badly wrong about three times, and that was also other people getting it wrong. I'm sorry to have to report there were still a couple of very sour faced people who crossed our paths once or twice during the week. What an amazing week though, and what a brilliant holiday. During folk week, the whole town becomes infused with folk music- all kinds of it, dancing is everywhere, some of it village green type morris dancing, and some more extreme like the Wytchmen- how I wish I got to see them and their exciting band more than just on the first night.
There was an Abba Ceilidh, with the classic tunes done ceilidh band style, and a band formed by Eliza Carthy for the occasion. Her dad Martin played the electric guitar for the occasion, all the band and the caller, Martyn Harvey dressed up 70s disco style. It was excellent, and Phil and I managed to join in quite a few dances without stuffing them up. It really is an incredible feeling dancing with about 500 other people, holding hands and swinging each other about. I'm going to avoid the polka in future though, it's dangerous, as the young people tend to charge about manically and I received a polka related injury when Phil and I, too, were charging about in a rather stupid way and collided with another couple; well, they were dancing crazily too and collided with us. I fell flat on my bum right in front of the band. The band Pete Cooper, my fiddle guru was playing in. Embarrassing as well as painful.
The last night was especially moving. They had a ceremony that we hadn't noticed last year to do with a 'heather garland.' It was brought in serenaded by the Goathland Plough Stots. Early in the evening, children were all encouraged to take a sprig of heather, and then later the adults. Before we took a sprig, everyone sang 'Will ye go Lassie Go'. It was very moving, probably about 5-600 people there, maybe more, all singing gently together. Lots of not very dry eyes in the house as a result. The heather is supposed to bring us back next year. I don't need heather for that, but took some anyway.

nearly folk week

Well, it's Friday, and there has been a distinct shift in the type of tourist crowd milling about. We can observe this at leisure from our vantage point overlooking the harbour. The regatta is well and truly over and things are mellower. Folk week is about to begin. The menfolk (Phil and son) have gone on a three hour fishing trip. Geraldine Stephenson has rung to say she is here, with a couple of fiddles for me to look at- I feel sick with excitement and after I finish here, am going to see her to check them out!
I've browsed through the folk week programme- almost too much to choose from, and lots of things are on at the same time, or a long way from each other so there isn't enough time to get there. Went for a coffee with Phil at the Pavilion earlier and people were setting up PAs and stuff in readiness!
I'm amazed that son has really got into things now. He's gone from being really bored on Tuesday, to begging to come for two weeks again next year...oh if only our annual leave was more generous, we'd spend the whole summer here, bliss...will blog about Folk week in a day or two.

Blogging from Whitby

Here I am in the Coliseum again, what a useful place, a nice cafe, cinema, theatre and all round community resource. £1 for half an hour. Bargain. Although it was relaxing when we arrived on Saturday, it's really chilled out now, all the regatta crowds have gone, and there is a several day lull before the folkies arrive. Time for me to get some serious fiddle practice in, if I am going to be fit to participate in any way fiddle-wise. Son had a low half day yesterday, claiming to be bored....after sleeping for the drizzly afternoon, we went for a reviving meal at the Khyber, and he is restored to good humour, enjoying a late night 'creepy' walk with Phil and a lot of gazing at various views with us both today.
After seeing a few bods fishing on the jetty by the lifeboat house, he announced that he wished he'd brought his fishing rods to Whitby after all, and could we front him with the funds for another. We agree, as he will be able to while away a good few hours doing this, which will be particularly useful when Phil and I are doing various workshops etc during folk week. He even said it would be quite nice to live here, a concept that Phil and I toy with on a regular basis. Whitby is so great, but really a pain to get to, which probably enhances the feeling of 'away from it all' remoteness that I love. The return journey will take about seven and a half hours, but has the advantage of being only by train all the way (apart from Kings X to Waterloo).
Tonight we may go to The Magpie; Ingrid Flute gave me a £10 voucher to use in there, as I'd mentioned their agency on this blog. Am not snacking on anything until then, so that I'm good and hungry for that treat. And no, I'm not going to partake of their famed fish and chips, but something more interesting of their varied menu. Hopefully we'll get a table by the window, as I can't get enough of soaking in the many and various views available. Was speaking to Nick, who I think manages the Coliseum, and he said he had only moved here recently, and what had stopped him doing so previously was, as with Phil and I, the responsibility for an ageing relative, in his case, his mum. She had told him to go, but I can't imagine my dad saying that, also, visiting him is a pleasure, too. It gives us space as well, to think about what we will do when he's not around any more, as it will be quite an opportunity to look at change. Hey ho, more soon, back to the flat for that fiddle practice.

almost there

Packing our cases, writing lists of what to remember- racking my brains to remember everything that needs to go on the lists. Have flicked through the programme for Whitby Folk Week, too much to choose from, but we're determined to get our money's worth after buying passes for the whole week. Can't wait to see Donna, and have nutritious, delicious dinner; gin and chocolate brownies for pudding, chat and laugh with her, Ken and Harriet; always a good start to our break. What will our flats be like in Whitby; a week by the harbour, another week up on the West Cliff. First night definitely dinner in the Khyber. Will try and blog from Whitby, but will be relying on internet cafes, otherwise no blogging until I'm back. Good old fashioned pen and paper will have to suffice...then will painstakingly transcribe it onto the mac upon my return. Will have to wait and see if my dancing and fiddling passed muster. Have a good Summer one and all; if the yummy mummies and daddies check in, hope wales was wonderful (and not too wet), let's all have a great summer!

Floods and Pilgrimage

On Friday, I went to meet Phil in Richmond to catch the Silverlink to Crouch Hill. When I got to Richmond Station, all the Silverlink and District line trains had been cancelled due to the flooding. I went into panic mode-an already difficult journey was about to be rendered impossible. Rang the boy at home and asked him to read alternative routes to our destination to me from Pete's website...this he did, and Phil and I set off to Finsbury Park instead of Crouch Hill. In the event, we got there the same time as we would have done going our usual way. Had a great lesson, Pete even said he could give us a lesson in Whitby if we liked, too! Yes, yes!
The journey home was another matter. The Silverlink seemed to be running, so feeling optimistic, we got it to Gospel Oak where we would have needed to change anyway. There were no trains going back to Richmond. Bummer. It was awful we tried to guess how we would get anywhere on alternative routes, and went to a bus stop. Luckily lots of fellow sufferers about who told us if we got the bus to Swiss Cottage, we could get the Jubilee Line. From there we knew we could get to Waterloo, and then catch one of the many trains back home. Brilliant. Alas the bus was alittle bus very, very packed, grumpy passengers, driver refusing to move, but eventually did. At Waterloo, loads of trains cancelled. We got home at 10.15, and watched wonderful Nick Lowe on TV.

Saturday again

The week slowed down a bit this time, busy day at work on Monday in preparation for my time off with the boy as he recovers from having his tonsils out. Poor boy, so brave with operations; anyway, out came the tonsils, and he's ok, and eating and drinking normally which is the main thing in the road to recovery...nurses at the hospital - the West Mid, all fantastic, the boy went round and said thankyou to them all the next day...he's still waking up with bad earache though. He's been forbidden from going to school until next term due to risk of infection; strangely, he's been asking if he can go back on Monday Anyway nice to have time off work, and with him. Time to read and write and generally do housework and stuff that work pushes out of the way. Didn't go to tap again this Friday, Phil had to go out to music rehearsal at St Faith's and I was keeping an eye on the boy. Missed Barney's birthday drink in West Ealing - Happy Birthday Barney! Today I didn't go to Putney due/nursing duty...feels like I almost have time on my hands today, although later I have volunteered to help with a youth theatre event at Questors theatre in Ealing for a couple of hours. How I wish I hadn't said yes now. Never mind, will be fine when I'm there.
I have piles of paperwork building up around me that I promised I would deal with. Piles of stuff generally are accumulating, particularly in the sitting room. It looks like a storeroom. Phil and I obviously have 'issues' about keeping stuff and really need one of those life-laundry type people to make us deal with it all.
Booked the train tickets for Whitby yesterday, we are going to try a different route home this time, coming from Whitby station/Middlesborough/darlington /Kings Cross. Not long now!!!!Another two fiddle lessons with Pete Cooper before Whitby, I can now play two Irish tunes without looking at the music, which is progress! more soon...