Monthly Archives: July 2008

Carla goes for a record!

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Posted by Flutewise Admin on July 14, 2008 – 8:47 am
Filed under Liz's Blog

Some of you might remember Carla Woods. She has been a member for many years and has attended lots of events including performing in the Galway Christmas concerts.

Carla is disabled and she never ceases to amaze me with her incredible attitude to life. She has done many fantastic things and the next one she is planning really impresses me. Read below what she has to say and please consider donating something to this worthwhile cause.

Carla writes:
I am planning to carry out a Flute playathon to raise funds to rebuild a campsite for people with disabilities in Farnham, Surrey. I have attended this campsite since 1964 and now help with organising of the annual weeks stay for the group I go with called Pathfinders.

The Website is as follows:- .www.woodlarks.org.uk. The rebuild fund is called Project Woodpecker and a link to Charity Choice is on the site for those who wish to donate towards the rebuild.

The duration of my Flute playathon will be a total of 11 hours and will take place at the venue in August. Every donation received will help with the rebuild which will in turn provide many people with special needs the experience of camping which provides self esteem, experience and pleasure, not mentioning friendship.

I have been told that my endeavours could possibly set a new world record according to the Guinness Book of Records but I am not advertising that fact in case it doesn’t work out. If I achieve the record for playing the Flute for 11 hours I will of course let you know.

I hope you are able to help as the campsite do hold an annual music camp by a group called Woodland Music which I have also attended.

Thanking you in advance.

Regards

Carla

My flute …….

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Posted by Flutewise Admin on July 13, 2008 – 7:47 am
Filed under Liz's Blog


….. is incredible! I really love my flute. Yesterday I was trying out another flute, it was great, lovely key work and very responsive. I thought, wow. Then I picked up my own – there was just no comparison. How lucky am I? But we should all feel that – your flute is the best in the world.

I feel really lucky to have such a wonderful instrument. If you are interested it’s one of the earliest handmade Altus flutes, all silver with a seamed tube. I’ve had it for ovr 20 years and it has virtually had no problems apart from the one Ian McLauchlan fixed last week.

A really nice day – thanks Ian

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Posted by Flutewise Admin on July 7, 2008 – 10:45 pm
Filed under Liz's Blog


Some days are really excellent – I am really busy and achieve loads.
Some days I’m really busy and seem to achieve nothing.
Some days are really quiet and I don’t know what I achieve.
Today has been manically busy and I’m very, very happy at what I’ve achieved.

The great news is my flute is mended! Thanks to that really lovely man, Ian McLauchlan (in the photo above). Poor old flute had a key that decided that it couldn’t be bothered to come back up once it had been depressed. I knew Ian could work his magic on it and he certainly has. I’m very,very grateful Ian – THANK YOU. (Did you know Ian has written an article for every single Flutewise magazine – that’s 20 years of articles!)

I was a bit disappointed when I got to Just Flutes, where Ian has his workshop, as I was also meant to have a meeting with Jonathan Myall but he’d escaped, on holiday. How dare he! So no pink flute.

Before I went to Just Flutes I stopped off t have coffee with Gareth McLearnon – I only got lost twice on the way there, three times between his house and Just Flutes and once on the way home. I really must get a new sat nav, I do need it. I had a fabulous cup of coffee, so I’ll be going back there again, and a nice chat with Gareth and Abbie who was also there. We made plans – I’ll tell you later.

Then I came home and took 309 letters to the post office. They were heavy and it was really windy. I came back exhausted, but had to get on with my next job as a travel agent. All plans are now ready to go for Croatia.

After that I did some work for our course and then some music for Croatia. I’m really pleased with what I have managed to do today, including a good play of my beautiful flute.

I’m just updating my ipod now and the I’m off to bed. Hopefully tomorrow will be even more productive.

So am I still waiting?

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Posted by Flutewise Admin on July 5, 2008 – 2:35 pm
Filed under Liz's Blog

Here is what has arrived:
1… someone to tell me the magazine has arrived and they love it
Thank you to those people who have left comments or sent emails. It really makes a difference to have some feedback.

2… someone to answer a phone call
I’ve had my call answered at long last from the council, but I will be moaning again when the builders at the end of our road close the road for 2 weeks starting on Monday! How will I get out? How will they collect our rubbish?

3… the postman
Our postman has changed! I want my old one back, he’s cool. This one is grumpy and very late – 12.30 the other day.

4… the washing machine to finish so I can hang the washing out
Done that, but there’s more to be done now.

5… for my new pink flute
Excitment, I’ll get this on Monday whenI go to Just Flutes.

6… someone to realise they should say ‘thank you’ big time
I never understand why people don’t say Thank You. It’s so simple but means such a lot. I’ve had lots of examples in life recently of me doing things for people and not a word of thanks have been offered (although most people I come across are extremely polite and grateful). This particular incident is making me rather cross and is to do with family members, not me at all, maybe that’s why I’m cross, on their behalf. All it would take is an email.

7… the plane arriving at Gatwick with cousin Marilyn on it so we can go and have a wonderful day out tomorrow
Yes! A different part of my family. Marilyn arrived on time and we had the most amazing trip to Suffolk to meet members of my family I hadn’t ever met before. Marilyn has an older sister, Val and we went to see her and her husband John. They have 4 grown-up children who all have children (I think there are 8 grandchildren aged from 1 to 17) and they also have 3 foster children. We met most of them and had a lovely lunch. They are absolutely wonderful people. I feel really honoured to be part of their extended family.

8… someone to answer the emails I’ve sent
What is so difficult about sending a quick email just to confirm the address is correct?

9… to go to Croatia
I really should get down to gathering material together. I need some new ensemble pieces with easy parts, some fifes, some more percussion instruments and presents – what can I take? Usually I take sticks of Brighton rock for the children – any ideas on something different?

10… someone to ‘get a life’
Well, I think I’ll be waiting a long time for this to happen. Maybe she knows what she should do. I do believe the saying ‘what goes around comes around’.

11… the delivery man with loads of new books and CDs I ordered the other day
Wow, isn’t Amazon quick? I’ve got a pile of new books and CDs waiting to be enjoyed when I go to Croatia. And would you believe there are no flute CDs? I get sent so many for review and therefore have to listen to so many it is really refreshing to listen to something else (and healthy!)

12 … Christmas
It will be here before we know it – what will I do for Christmas this year?

It could be I’m waiting to have my flute fixed.
My flute is going to Ian McLauchlan on Monday. One of the keys is coming up too slowly. It could just be a bit of muck or it could have been damaged. Ian assures me it is easy to fix. Since I booked it in it has been a bit better – so I’m off to have a practice now – after I’ve written my thank you card to Val.

Waiting???

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Posted by Flutewise Admin on July 2, 2008 – 12:03 pm
Filed under Liz's Blog

So which of these things do you think I’m waiting for?
1… someone to tell me the magazine has arrived and they love it
2… someone to answer a phone call
3… the postman
4… the washing machine to finish so I can hang the washing out
5… for my new pink flute
6… someone to realise they should say ‘thank you’ big time
7… the plane arriving at Gatwick with cousin Marilyn on it so we can go and have a wonderful day out tomorrow
8… someone to answer the emails I’ve sent
9… to go to Croatia
10… someone to ‘get a life’
11… the delivery man with loads of new books and CDs I ordered the other day
12 … Christmas
Or maybe it is none of the above.
It could be I’m waiting to have my flute fixed.