The Weekly Croissant: Dispatch from Travelodge

'ello Pets!

‘ELLO PETS!

I am in the land of Vera, my favorite Newcastle-based murder mystery series. One of the best things about Vera is she’s always calling people “Pet”, or “Love”. When she’s interviewing a suspect… It’s not looking too good for you, is it Pet?, or when she’s comforting a grieving mother You get yerself a brew and take care o yourself, pet.

I was full of immense joy, therefore, when I called the Travelodge about our room arrangements and was called “pet”, by the receptionist, not one, not two, but three times in a two-minute phone call. Hello??? is this Vera??

Pictured: My Travelodge Chic

Our gig was at the Cluny club, which is also featured in an episode of Vera. We were playing in the downstairs venue, and the entrance was not only impossible to find, but featured a creepy basement walkway, which definitely set a good tone for murder. Luckily, the venue was lovely (Albeit freezing), once we entered.

Pictured: Venue Entrance

So far, still alive.

I adore regional accents and sayings, in much the same way that I adore regional fiddle styles and bowing patterns.

Speaking of regional patter, a couple days ago we got to travel to Shetland, which was an absolute treat. I love getting to visit these out-of-the-way places on tour, it’s one of the greatest perks of being a musician.

Pictured: Steve taking a photo of Shortbread on the tiny plane to Shetland

I had received a really kind email from a Malachy Talack, who said he would send his brother to see us in Shetland. Turns out, our kind Shetland host Neil informed us, he’s an accomplished author and has written several books about the Scottish Islands. Neil sent me off with one of his books, called “The Valley At The Center of the World”, which I’ve really been enjoying.

It’s full of amazing Shetland dialect, such as “well, most of dis stuff is no fir keepin. Da hoose is needin stripped back and repainted. It’s needin a fair bit o wark ta mak it right. The mair we git oot, da easier dat’ll be”. To me, it looks a bit mad on the page, but once you sound it out, read it as listening, to it it’s pretty easy to understand.

I’ve also learned that there is a strong Viking tradition in Shetland, and a celebratory festival, called Up Helly Ah, as well as local fire festivals in each town. Neil says that the men take turns being the honored viking who gets to dress up and burn shit, and some men say it’s the happiest day of their lives when that comes around, better than the birth of their child or wedding day.

Anyway, that’s what I’ve been up to over here! Happy Sunday!

Rachel