For
the second year running the band played at the Interceltic Festival in Lorient,
France. With the indelible memories from the 2000 festival still firmly in the
bands collective mind it was thought that the 2001 event would have to be a cracker
to rival the previous year. Although the weather wasn't as good (you always have
to mention the weather don't you …) the 2001 festival far exceeded the bands
expectations. Based
once again in the Hotel 'Le Choiseul' it was good to meet old friends, the staff
& idiosyncratic locals, Patrick & Brigitte, who also regularly popped into the
hotel, Stuart, Sheila and Roy who played with Avalon the previous year and had
come across with another band this time, and of course Charlie with his trusty
old touring bus (thanks for bringing the remnants of our kit across Charles).
As well as the old faces, the boys from Fire in the Bog and Alistair McPhail Scottish
Country Dance Band certainly made it an entertaining place to stay - from what
we can remember. It's
difficult to try and pinpoint highlights of the week as the days seemed to develop
into a very regular pattern of Beer, Gig, Beer, Food, Beer, up until about eye
level then the wee drams came into play. It was great - every 'body' was forced
to reverse their clock for the week and live the nocturnal life… As
with the previous year the sessions were mighty. The usual suspects namely: the
lads & lassies from Brolum,
Fire in the Bog, Caliban,
Meitheil, and of course the lovely Cuisle girls usually congregated at the 'Glen'
Pub after our respective gigs where tunes were had until the sun came up. I'm
sure the shots below will give you an insight into the week and a half endurance
test… Thanks
to everyone who helped make it the festival it was, to the new friendships and
of course to the people of Lorient for their hospitality and overwhelming appreciation
of the music… | 
