New Joiner !

[Drummer]

Oh wow - I am just renovating a Hohner Erica, D/G - and have a C/F in better nick.
On Monday I picked up a Hohner Liliput in Bflat/Eflat, and its twin piano accordion - took them to morris practice last night and everyone in the band was exclaiming over them, because they are so tiny.
I play for Anonymous morris - you can see them on line if you do a search. We are just working up to the start of our dance outs - I need to glue shiny things onto my top hat to be ready for that. I used to play a bowed psaltery, which I borrowed to accompany a song called 'Lazlo Feyah' - back in my misspent youth when I would often roadie for a folk duo, loading their gear into the sidecar and often having one of them on the pillion and my own guitar strapped onto the back rack.
After that I moved north and joined John Lilburn's regiment of musket and pike in Market Harborough - English Civil war reenactors.
By the way - cheddar cheese is low carb - really excellent when grated and stuck onto cauliflower with cream cheese, then warmed until it melts. Good for supper on cold winter evenings.

 

[John Ashby]

Hello again Drummer..........Sorry, but my time each day is quickly gobbled up in looking after my dear Anne, so I'm typing this just before crashing out! I'm afraid that you've lost me with your abilities with music as I cannot read a note! .......One of life's great frustrations for me, but I manage to blunder through regardless. Because of my aviation career and related interests, although I have spent many happy hours in attending military
re-enactments at the various events up and down the country, such as at Detling and (I can't recall now, but at Beltring, at the Hop Farm) AND taking part as a Confederate soldier, my other technical interests, were based upon...and still are, in the WWll German Airforce, the Luftwaffe.
I had for years, a Gallotta accordion, because our much loved musician with Ashdown, Richard Shepherd, played one with such a magical touch and how I envied him! I had one but without my ability to read music and the ability to apply to my instrument, left me frustrated and annoyed...........so I sold it. Richard played with such understated ability, that it left us in a magical awe. I've been involved in so many "sides" but we had no time for the "nouveu" sides, where haste and clamour were the drivers.......we preferred to listen to Richard's beautiful music on a Summer's eve, down in Sussex, with a pint of real Sussex ale in our hands, as we stood (and danced, transfixed) to "Dearest Dickie, Wheatley, Laudanum Bunches" and so on, played at a peaceful and reflective pace, while in the background, the Blackbirds sang and the scent of Honeysuckle hung on the air..............
I wouldn't give a toss, for the mad and frantic dashing noise of some of the "new" sides, so I sincerely hope that in your "side", you are blessed with a similar musical presence which truly reflects and brings to you the "magic" of the Morris..............It's nice to opt out of today's clamour !
As it's Easter, I have had to let go a little as I cannot deny Anne all of the treats, so I've had a Hot Cross Bun, Devil that I am !......and tomorrow, we'll share an Easter egg !...But after that, it's back on the Low Carb wagon !
Have a very Happy Easter ! With kind regards. John.

 

[SueEK]

Hello John, was just wondering how you and your lovely Anne are doing, has your new care service been working out well, and how are you. All the best to you x

 

[trophywench]

Just Hello from me John - what a fascinating life you've led! Feel like I could talk to you for hours even though the only bit I remotely in any way share with you is the biking bit - and that's purely as pillion. I can say though that I'm very grateful for the skill of my 'pilot' in conveying me safely even when severely hypo and (apparently) hanging at right angles off the side a few times. Ooops!

If you possibly have more time on your hands with Anne's new care package, it occurs to me that if you have a local U3A you could join or visit, they could find you equally interesting to hear some of your stories and you may find an interest in anything they might get up to. Some friends are learning French, go on regular walks, all sorts of things depending on what's going on where you happen to live. You never know - maybe you could learn to read music?

Meanwhile any spare glasses of Merlot etc or G&T you happen to need to dump can be dumped here - always happy to save you drinking them! 😉

 

[Frankie Carter]

John Ashby ... just to say I still have your Softail! He’s in immaculate condition and very much loved. I’m keeping ‘Harry’ forever, rather like a fine work of art. For years, I brought him into the house overwinter ... the sitting room or laundry, depending on which house were living in. Only 10,000 miles to date. I polished him yesterday - here he is blinking shyly in the spring sunshine

 

[Drummer]

Alas - we have not seen John for over a year now. Admittedly on the internet people appear and vanish away without there being any great event in their lives, so we can only hope...

 

[Frankie Carter]

Alas - we have not seen John for over a year now. Admittedly on the internet people appear and vanish away without there being any great event in their lives, so we can only hope...

I wonder if I posted successfully such that he would see it ... or only posted a reply to you ?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Frankie Carter

Great looking bike!