Comments for Technical Translations

Comment on Biking in Germany…again ! by Robert W

Robert W — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 05:06:23 +0000

Hello Wolfgang,
I read your bent cycling through Europe with great interest. We are almost ready to cycle through Europe, but are not sure of the route. Germany, Czech Republic and Poland would be our preference.
Can you let me know approximate distances you have covered each day, the overall distance in two weeks, how may rest days if any (both of you look very fit and refreshed), what would be the essentials to take on the bikes (apart from credit cards that are not too heavy), did you have to book accommodation in advance, problems on train journeys with fully packed bents, etc. Wishing you all the best this festive season.
Robert & Jana W
Melbourne, Australia

Comment on News from Norway by wolfgang

wolfgang — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 20:02:38 +0000

Thanks Robert, it was a great wedding ! Didn’t go cycling there this time but have planned a future trip there.
Am cycling through North-East Germany at the moment, between Berlin, Poland and the Baltic Sea, very interesting and not too hilly – not too far from your home ?
Yes, I’ll be out again around Christmas time and will try and come along for a ride or three.
Wolfgang

Comment on News from Norway by Robert W

Robert W — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:44:33 +0000

Hello Wolfgang,
Congratulations on your daughter’s wedding
Looks like it was a good weather in Oslo for cycling. Did you?
Summer is around the corner in Melbourne. Are you coming?
Regards. Robert W

Comment on 1911 Crabb Concertina by wolfgang

wolfgang — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:19:10 +0000

Hi Kurt,
Over the years I’ve tried lots of different types of music. Early on I tried to play everything I heard or came across on my concertina. I played in a folk band for about 6 years playing all sorts of traditional music. I’ve been to the concertina gatherings in the UK a few times where people like David Cornell (arrangements of popular tunes for the duet) and Harry Scurfield have inspired me. My musical tastes are quite vast, so I’ve had a go at many genres including musette (mostly French waltzes), French folk (I live in France), irish traditional, Eastern European, jazz standards, tangos. I’ve found the duet to be ill-suited to Irish reels and jigs, as much as I like them. The right-hand requires a lot of fast and sometimes awkward finger-work and that leaves very little processor-time available for fitting in anything in the left hand which is often unnecessary anyway. The ballads on the other hand are lovely to play. I usually play by ear or do my own arrangements based on just the melody or a lead sheet. I also play the piano, so I will often use the concertina for working out melodies or harmonies when a piano is not available – portability, the reason for the concertina’s early success ! Recently I’ve worked on my own arrangements of a few Argentinean tangos “El Choclo” and “Soledad”, a waltz by Ciriaco Ortiz. I love playing Eastern European tunes from Hungary, Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, often with odd time signatures 7/8, 9/8, 11/8 etc.

I think I’ve come across your website as well, via concertina.net – there are indeed not many of us posting about Crabb duets.

Comment on 1911 Crabb Concertina by Kurt Braun

Kurt Braun — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 21:07:57 +0000

Dear Wolfgang,

Thanks for posting the Crabb Crane concertina information. I have a Crabb Crane myself (scraggy.net/tina). I’d be interested is what sorts of music you play on your concertina.

Thanks,

Kurt

Comment on Cycling through Gippsland by wolfgang

wolfgang — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 20:23:45 +0000

Hi Robert,
The wide tyres made all the difference, without them it would have been hopeless !
For a lot of these trails, the brochures indicate “suitable for mountain bikes”, which basically means you need heavy-duty tyres as sometimes the surface can be soft and a little unstable and at other times there’ll be leftover ballast, very nasty for skinny tyres.

Comment on Cycling through Gippsland by Robert Waryszak

Robert Waryszak — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:34:41 +0000

Hello Wolfgang,
Nice to hear from you and to read about your tour around Victorian countryside.
Many thanks for the Great Southern trail feedback.
We are a bit concerned about its condition after heavy rain a few days ago around Wilson’s Promontory.
Nevertheless, we should not miss the ride this time either, as we ride there every year.
How did your bent perform on such a long and at times rough journey?
Best wishes.
Robert W

Comment on Cycling through Gippsland by bertram lobert

bertram lobert — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:12:28 +0000

it all sounds rather idyllic. have you found any beer & pretzels on the way? see you tomorrow. We’re dropping in to Inverloch on the way and having lunch with Erika, Mum & Dad.