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

At long last, Friday, August 8th 2008 had arrived. Time for my annual holiday.

http://www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk/

I had waited 51 weeks for this. A week of music, Morris sides and, playing the fiddle... Oh! and , and plenty of it. Most of the activities take place in Pubs or licensed premises. I am very in that most of my family live in Broadstairs so I have a good base to enjoy the festival. Also I have been involved directly, and indirectly, since it started and attend every year.

I had packed the earlier in the week, as I knew I would not have much time either Thursday, because of working late, or Friday morning, as I would have to leave early. Thursday evening I made sandwiches for Friday’s supper on the train and then slept, ready for Friday.

I had to be up an hour earlier than normal to pack the last minute bits. Grabbed my empty violin case (I keep a spare fiddle in Broadstairs for when I am down there at other times of the year) and caught the to work. The day passed quickly and it was soon the end of the day.
I finished work at 19:00 , and caught the to Victoria station, London, in the hope that I could catch the 19:35 train, which I did with 5 minutes to spare . I then had a journey of almost two hours to cover the 80 miles to the coast, before arriving at Broadstairs. Smell that bracing sea air! And the sound of music and bells!!! . And seagulls...
 
A short and I arrived at my Dad's, who lives about ten minutes from the seafront, conveniently for me. I had a lovely and a long chat with him and A, his wife. It was so good to see them both again, as I hadn’t been over for a while. Around 22:00, they were getting ready for so it was time for me to sample the early delights of the festival. I had arrived too late to see Eliza Carthy , although I later heard from those who went that it wasn’t brilliant, as she concentrated on her contemporary music and new album. Saved on that one then. So onto my first port of call which was my ‘second’ local after my local in London, The Lord Nelson. A11133505. A chance to meet up with my friends in Triality, who were performing there. Ted Hanley plays accordian, Charlie plays trumpet and Dave plays bass, with all three singing. A truly talented trio of brothers

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

That continued until around 23:30 and then it was time to head to the Late night dance at the Pavilion on the sands (A11133505) with the Stomp Ceilidh Band, until 01:00. They were loud and lively. A mix of trad, electric with scandinavian overtones, and certainly enthusiastic!!! Four young men and a young lady playing electric ceilidh tunes. Sheen on concertina and caller, Martin on guitar, Rob on drums, Kevin on fiddle and guitar, and Andrew on guitar. Mesmerising and toe-tapping at the same time...

http://www.stompceilidh.co.uk/html/the_band.html

and

http://www.stompceilidh.co.uk/html/audio.html


It was particularly as there were around fifteen lads who were down for a stag night, and they really got involved. Great to see.

01:00 came around all too quickly and time to make the short uphill walk to my Dad’s and . If what I’d heard so far was anything to go by, this would turn out to be a good week!!!

Day two to follow later.



MMF

It sounds as if you had a lovely time MMF. I shall look forward to episode two Wish I was young again

Websailor

Webbie, everyone is young at a folk festival, especially once that sea air hits you, as you will find out when I get to wednesday... And I rely on a third leg to perambulate, but I still get out and about... although I was by the end of the week. Thank goodness I had Saturday to get over it, but I am getting ahead of myself! Day two now posted... more, and better, to follow.

Glad you enjoyed it. The links do have samples of music attached, to give a taster...



MMF

I am not sure which I most, the music or the sea air - oh! the sea air I think, I can find music anywhere

Third leg

Off to read Part two

Websailor

I'm glad you had a good time, thank's for sticking the links up, I really enjoyed the Piggery Jockery one brilliant