So far, so good. It's a surprise to realise that I've not been on the computer for over a week - I've just been so busy that time has flown by. It's definitely an 'ill wind' as they say and I feel a little guilty that wherever I look people are saying what a difficult time it is... but I have to confess to enjoying the 'down-time' because I'm basically a solitary person. That's not to say that I'm not missing the dancing, or seeing friend's or that we've not been having our own little crises - but at this time of year I'm always a bit frustrated by having to spend so much time inside when all I really want to do is get into the garden to drag out the weeds and plant a few seedlings so to actually get the chance to do that, and read a book, and do a jigsaw, and get out my cross-stitch (no time to do that yet but it's there) and not feel guilty that there's updates to do or events to prepare for, or attend, and no urgent need to learn new things or think ahead ... is bliss.
We are very lucky of course to be in such a nice place to be isolated ;-) and that everyone we are close to seems to be staying healthy and motivated. The dreaded lurgy will have changed quite a few things by the time we come out of all this but not all of them will be bad - and although the weather today has been bracing, over the last few days it's been lovely enough to get the swing seat out and eat our lunch outside, so spring is definitely here and if we can't walk in it at least we have time to sit and enjoy the sunshine when it's available. Exercise is of course important and not everyone has a garden to weed and bask in, so here's a link to the RSCDS's 'Dance Scottish at Home' newsletter which includes some good music and dancing and here is also a link to a newly created dance 'The Toilet Roll Reel' which was published on the RSCDS Facebook page and shows you don't need a partner to get a work out (I hope the link works). Keep well Jx

Hi everyone, we are thinking hard about the dreaded lurgy..... please look out for notices from us regarding next week's dancing Jx

Physical exercise is good for you, mental exercise is necessary too... last week demonstrated that Scottish country dancing is all you need to stay healthy (though perhaps not quite sane ;-)) - by the end of the session I wasn't the only one whose brain hurt! Well done to everyone who attempted Monica's Way, not by any means the most complicated dance in the SCD repertoire but still a considerable challenge - not least for the teacher! It contains several formations unfamiliar to most of the class, as well as being a 'non-stop' dance for everyone in the set. Despite my shaky instructions the dance was close to working by the end of a brief 'teach-in' - next week I'll get the ending sorted out and we can iron out the wrinkles and feel super pleased with ourselves++! Numbers are fairly low at the moment but we still managed 2 sets for most of the dances and, as usual, we had great fun with Staircase in Styria as well as getting slightly further on with Gang the Same Gate - it was pointed out that I'd designated this tricky dance as a 'green' level... my excuse is that since it is a Strathspey there is time for people to sort themselves out - or at least get it wrong more slowly - everyone managed that pretty well :-)- but still enjoyed the challenge. I am looking forward to seeing how well we can do next week, keep washing your hands to keep the bugs at bay and we'll see you soon. Jx