h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

if this is overlong, but it is also a refernce point for me to go back to.

At last. My holiday had arrived. The annual pilgrimage to Broadstairs for the Folk Festival was about to begin! The 42nd (how poignant! ) festival and, to the best of my knowledge, my 42nd! After all, tradition must be maintained, especially being a third generation Folkie.

Left the flat at 12:00 on Friday 10th August and headed for London Victoria station, laden down with all the folkie acoutrements... pewter tankard, fiddle case (I have a spare fiddle case at my Dad’s), Didingas (sp?) or aboriginal talking sticks, assorted Folkie t-shirts, shorts and sandals. Not being affiliated to a Morris side, there are no Morris accessories... Caught the 14:30 train and arrived in Broadstairs at 16:30, and took a short stroll to D’s. and chat, then supper. Out around 20:00 (take it as read that that is the normal time unless stated otherwise) and off to the Lord Nelson for some music from ‘Triality’.

http://freespace.virgin.net/charlie.chris/Triality/

Met up with some old and new friends and had a good foot-stomp until 23:00, when they joined us. At midnight the Pub closed so it was off to the Late concert, featuring Bagas Degol, at the Pavilion. (I’ll call it the Late Night Extra or LNE. Again this happened every night!)

http://www.bagasdegol.com/

Not bad, but not my . Finished at 01:30 (standard) and about 02:30.

Saturday 11th Aug. Up at 11:00, and took a stroll into town around 13:00.
Today was the day of the Massed Morris, and I saw Pig Dyke Molly, who were very good.

http://www.pigdyke.co.uk/

Royal Liberty Morris, who I actually played for at Sidmouth around 25 years ago, for a couple of years. They are a specialist side who do stick dances with scaffold poles, and their musicians use bombards, sackbuts and other mediaeval instruments. Well worth a look if you see them about.

I also heard a
singing duo called Norscalordie, who sang and played acoustically... They were very good...

http://www.norcsalordie.com/

Other Morris sides included Hartley mens’ and women's’ Morris, Offcumdens, a local side who I also played with when they first started. On to the Bandstand and the afternoon show featuring Oyster, Bullnose and Boughton Monchelsea Morris sides. Had a mooch around the craft tent, back for tea, and time for the Playaround at the Lord Nelson featuring a couple of artists who didn’t really impinge. Good session. Afterwards it was on to the LNE for a group called 422, young and enthusiastic. Probably be better in a couple of years.

Sunday 12th. Small family gathering, then into town and watched assorted Morris sides, back for tea, and then the Playaround. Enjoyable. Onto the LNE and a session with ann eclectic mix of nationalities, calling themselves Baraka... Good fun...

http://www.barakamusic.co.uk/

Monday I was up earlier. Well, 10:00, as I was meeting Evadne Cake at around 11:00 for a sample of the day’s events. Went for a at Morelli’s. It has to be seen to be believed. A step back to the 1950’s.

http://www.morellis.com/morelligo.html

On to the Bandstand. Mixed session, with a fine performance from Kimber’s Men, of Sea Shanties...

http://www.joestead.com/

A group called Junk and Disorderly... gloss over that. Gentle stroll along the Prom until we headed back to D’s so EC could head home. Tea, then off to Ballard’s for a reunion of Ramsgate Folk Dance Club... Met some old friends, then back for a brief spot of music at the playaround and on to the LNE which featured the Pine Leaf Boys, a lively mix of Cajun amongst other sounds.

http://www.pineleafboys.com/

Tuesday 14th Aug. I forgot to mention that there is a daily newsletter called the Ceilidh Mail which is free, but usually is given out for a 20p donation. One of Hartley Morris, Hairy Dave, had started a photo competition, from Saturday, with 4 photos a day of something en route from the Campsite. Today I decided to track these down as, after 4 days, my Dad and I could only identify 4 out of 16. Wandered up to the camp site, about half a mile from the centre of town, when the skies opened. Long story short... Got soaked but, after 2 hours I’d found them all.Must have walked three miles though, as I kept missing some. Back for a bath to warm up, tea and then listened to the session, as my neck was sore, and my thumb ached from a tumble I had six weeks ago, when I bent it back on itself. Good night of music and chat. LNE was the Climax Ceilidh Band who I found one of the best LNE acts of the week, bar one!

http://cms2.gre.ac.uk/jr07/climaxceilidhband/site/about.asp

Wed 15th Aug. Headed out at 12:30 for a Friends of Folk Week get together. Wine and nibbles (not for me, as I don’t drink before 16:00) On to the Concert Marquee for a glimpse of Lauren MacColl and Barry Reid. She is a fantastic Fiddle Player and winner of Radio 2 Young Folk Musician of the year 2004/5, and well deserved... Highly recommended...

http://www.laurenmaccoll.co.uk/

She was support to a regular, as he is a local, Tim Edey and his band. He has come a very long way, and his talents are quite daunting...

http://web.mac.com/timedey/iWeb/Tim%20Edey%20webpages/Welcome%20and%20news.html

Tea and back for the playaround. The guest? Lauren MacColl. This rocked... she was so friendly, and stayed past her allotted time. A real fun person to play along with.

LNE was a real contrast. Now this one really Rocked with a capital R. A band called Bikini Beach Band. Played all sorts of medleys, all tunes everyone knew. It was Party night...

http://www.bikinibeach.co.uk/

Thurs 16th Aug. Took final photos for the competition, and handed in my answers and onto the Bandstand. Clarksville Mountain Band? Not bad, and Tap ‘n’ Roots weren’t either, but I have seen them before. Assorted music generally. Not a fantastic day, but the weather wasn’t fantastic either. Tea and out for a playaround with Jody Kruskal. Very talented concertina player, who seemed to know many tunes and we had a lot of fun

http://jodykruskal.com/

LNE was a fun band called Kangaroo Moon. Played a complete mix of music, from Celtic funk to psychedelia. It was fun, but unsure of my take on them. Loud!!!

http://www.kangaroomoon.com/

Fri 19th, up early to meet a friend and fellow drinker from my local who was paying a visit. Met at Morelli’s, then a general tour, taking in Morris sides, as well as Norcsalordie who, I’m sure, busked every day, without fail. They were worth listening to, though. Bite to eat of pasties from a highly recommended local butcher. S then decided a was in order, so down to Ballard’s which has live music in the garden during the afternoon, and an American group called Happy Trails, who had the Traillettes in tow, aka Tap ‘n’ Roots. Very enjoyable, especially as T n R came and danced on the balcony 2 yards from where we sat. They also got a surprise when the band presented them with bouquets each for being such faithful groupies. Took S back to the station so she could go back to her friends for tea, and some warmer clothes. I stopped off, got fish and chips which D and I ate early so I could get to the Concert Marquee early for my highlight of the week, and the reason S had travelled from London. Unfortunately she had to turn back for her ticket so arrived slightly late but I’d saved us seats.

The support group were a band called Zoox. They didn’t explain why. Female group of fiddle, percussion and wind. But the latter two had such a variety of instruments including a contrabassoon! Never seen that in a folk band. It really swung.

http://www.zoox.co.uk/

Reminded me of a band that had been down for the previous two years, Asha, and in fact their first two sets I had heard Asha play.

http://www.shindy.dsl.pipex.com/asha/ashamain.htm

This was a fantastic taster for what was to come...

21:00, and time for the main act. Only! Catastrophe! Where were they? They arrived 10 minutes late, having spent 13 hours travelling to get to the gig. This band are global travellers, but WOW! Where they worth it. How I wish I could dance! They were non-stop toe tapping stuff from start to finish. We loved it. I already had one album, courtesy of a friend who met them in Borneo when she was helping out at an Orang Utan sanctuary. She too was blown away, and so introduced us all to them. I can’t rave about them enough!!!

http://www.shoogle.com/

Unfortunately all good things must draw to a close, so we headed for the tail end of the last playaround, which was a little flat, as many people had already left. S then got a taxi back to her friends and I headed to the LNE and the standard final Ceilidh with Florida who are ok, but I’ve seen them too often. I’ll let you decide!

http://www.zen21456.zen.co.uk/florida/

Sat 18th was a day spent in Ramsgate Maritime Museum researching for my next project, A good three hours, and for £1:50? Must get back soon. Home for tea, and a drink with Sis, except her partner was so just me. But the Pub was open until 01:00...

Sun 19th. Time to pack, then Sis came round for and a chat. Very pleasant. Then just time for a sandwich, and head home Home at 18:30, bath and out for a <ale or three, and an opportunity to reflect on the last ten days.

The weather was mixed, but never too hot or wet. Not the best year, weather-wise, but a long way from the worst. And the festival? Overall, 7 out of 10, except for the last night... which was a definite 11 out of 10.

Only 352 days to Broadstairs Folk Week 2008...

I’ll be there!!!

If anyone has taken the time to read all this, I hope you've checked some of the links, and had a taster of the week I've enjoyed...



and

MMF

Oh! And I won a Praktika 3.5megapixel camera for winning the photo competition. I got all 18 photos correct... No one else was near so it was worth getting soaked and frozen!!!



MMF

The only downside, Fiddler, is that you missed the UP being on the Front Page - all weekend!

Glad you had a good time; you sound in rude health, mate, and it's great to hear you sounding so perky

Thanks Skanks.

Yes! I heard I was there from a friendly HooTooer who sent me a text. At least I caught it at 18:45, Sunday, when I got in... Second thing I did when I got in, was switch on the computer... If you know what I mean! 4 hours of travel does put pressure on certain internal organs...

I needed the break, and it was good. However it has made me wake up to how large a challenge I've set myself on my UP of Ramsgate. 30 important factors to be researched, packaged under 13 linked entries. About six months research, and at least 4 visits... but I am looking forward to it!

I don't pick easy ones, do I?

Thanks for all your help on the UP!!! It is much appreciated, and the entries would not have been as good without your polish!



Mate.

Who knows, next year, you could visit Broadstairs as well! I think you'd enjoy it, except it is the wrong time of year for you!



MMF

You sound as if you had a wonderful time MMF.

Music brings much joy to many of us.I wish I could have been there (in purely a listening capacity,you understand.)

so glad it's fixed the smile

and for the 24th,

Hiya JWG. I wish you could have been there. A real tonic. I'm knac.. Worn out now. And skint...

Just listening to the Bikini Beach Band on You Tube...

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BMxX5Q4R7JA

Not fantastic photography but gives a taster.

They don't say a word throughout the whole show.

As I said to a mate of mine they are probably a Ukranian skiffle band pretending!!!

Lovely to hear from you, and hope you are well, and that I can see you again soon. Stay in touch!!!



MMF

I wish you tube loaded quicker,MMF.(I'm on dial up).

What I saw, I liked.Left it to load whilst I locked the doors, put the phone on charge, tidied up(ex is staying) got tomorrows dinner out of the freezer, cleared the dishes, and STILL it was only 1/4 of the way through.*sigh*

I like skiffle, Ukranian or un.

Like reggae too, especially mighty sparrow and similar.(we're a musical lot. Mum and sister were opera singers and auntie , a professional fiddle player .The rest of us just appreciate whatever and wherever our musical tastes takes us.(we can sing in tune).

I'll talk to you soon. Take care,

Congrads on winning the camera and on having what sounds like a great time good luck with the entry writing... I can't even seem to manage to finish one a year

JWG, I knew there was musicality in your family, but didn't know the extent, and i forgot you were on dial up

Have a good week, and pop by sometime!

And I won't send any photos. You'll be offline for a fortnight!!!



I'll bring them to the next Meet!

Well

MMF

Re: photo's, - make sure you do,MMF !

And my congrats too, on winning the camera !

wow! sounds like you had a great time and well done on winning the camera!!

What a brilliant week!

Indeed!