For a long time P and I have arrived at 5 ish and happily trotted around getting the room and music ready in time for possible newcomers at 5:30 ish, but we've rarely been interrupted until 6 ish when the hoards arrive for the main dance session. It was therefore a very strange evening for us when, not only were we joined by most of the committee around 5, but then 2 beginners actually arrived before 5:30 for a little pre-dance session; in fact we almost had 3 newcomers as a very brave Chinese lady came to check us out... having attended a Greek dancing class, with the whole session in Greek I know that it is certainly possible to learn dancing without speaking the language - but that was a very small class and all the participants at the same level - so if she returns next week I hope everyone will be very welcoming. It was a great dance session, we welcomed some more swallows back to shore, so again we had to do a bit of teaching and the occasional break down of dances was somewhat inevitable - but - if it highlights a problem that can be sorted out then it isn't really a problem! We'll get them all under our belt before the ball.  

It's difficult to know where to start; my last blether was a couple of weeks ago or at least that's what it feels like, in fact it's only 10 days but we've been over to Kyrenia and danced with the small group Pat runs there - really friendly and great fun, this week our own class again swelled to greater numbers making for a great atmosphere but lots of hard work, as well as many more returnee's we welcomed some lovely visitors who normally dance in Bournemouth. P & I have just this minute returned from a really super Society lunch at the Aphrodite Rock Brewery, I know I won't be the only one who really enjoyed it; In addition to all this I gave a lecture at our Church's women's group meeting yesterday, P & I met up and had a day out with friends of P's from 30 years ago the day before that, we are doing at Treasure hunt tomorrow and on Monday I am starting my afternoon 'Dancing at the UKCA' sessions  that the Society have kindly allowed to be advertised on the website. Pheww - will it get quieter soon? Probably not, preparations are now starting for the St Andrew's Ball - I'm looking forward to it already! 

It was great to see many familiar faces back with us for another great night's dancing. Yet again we revised the Rondell - it's always a struggle for first timers, but every time we do it, it becomes clearer. Once mastered we had 2 sets up for Silver Tassie - a lovely dance to have on the programme. The weather has now cooled down to a reasonable temperature although it's still nice to have the windows open and the fans going. We danced most of the programme, with 2 sets up, not realizing that all around us there were storms and rain showers. P & I are now off for a night in the North to join the Kyrenia dancing class at Pat's invitation, I'm really looking forward to it - and I know that anyone is welcome to join them so if you are ever in Kyrenia on a Thursday night let her know and she's send you directions. 

Finally we seem to be getting back to our normal numbers of 20+ at least, with 2 sets dancing most of the programme. We still have many people away so it will only get better from now on.. at least that is the theory. Welcome back to everyone who hadn't made it to class so far. The night was a bit cooler than previous classes so we managed even the more frantic dances like Duke of Perth and The Montgomerie's Rant - and for the start of the season everyone danced really well, even when they thought they didn't, it usually takes a week or two for the brain to get into gear even if the feet are managing - but that isn't so evident this year; we even had time to dance the 'extra' on the programme, the lovely 'Barbara's Strathspey. This weekend is our 'advanced' class and I will be introducing a couple of the more interesting dances on the St Andrew's Ball program which most people wont have done yet - should be fun.