This is the blether that almost never was... because I am so used to getting it done immediately after the class that I'd completely forgotten I hadn't done it - the main reason for that is nothing particularly important just that my glasses frame broke that night and the mini saga evolving from then on disrupted routine and took my mind of most other things.
Since it seems so long ago I started this blether by looking at the attendee's list for last week's dance class and the most prominent thing I notice is the large gaps but amazingly at one point we managed to get 4 sets on the floor, well done to everyone! It was a good night's dancing but yet again we are saying goodbye to people and the nights are getting cooler and darker - although it doesn't feel Christmassy yet, you know it is coming.
This has been a strange week, some genuinely tragic life changing events have occurred to more than one person linked to our little society and our sympathies are with everyone involved - there's not much more to say really except I hope to see those of you who can make it next Tuesday, and I hope everyone else is keeping safe and warm Jx

English is a funny language, last night the class was so much fun, there was so much buzz, the energy was palpable... and you all know what that last phrase means - it's so descriptive but except for that phrase do we use 'palpable' in that way for anything else? Maybe we do and I just can't bring it to mind; And what were we doing to create that much energy, were we 'palping'! :-) Well if we were, didn't we do it well! The programme included several dances we haven't done for ages, so for several in the class they were completely new but despite that most of the night we had 3 sets on the floor with everyone really doing well the laughter and fun people were having was great to see - even if some of the dances were challenging.
​It was good to welcome back a visitor who has danced with us for many years, whenever he happened to be staying in Cyprus, and after a stormy dull day yesterday it's nice for everyone visiting at the moment that today was another beautiful day - with the usual bonus of crystal clear air that we get after a rainstorm something that summer visitors often never get the chance to experience.
A sad thing about the class was saying goodbye to more of our swallows who, as usual, are heading home for Christmas, but we wish them all a good time and we know that it will seem like five minutes before they are back again.  Those of us who are still here - don't forget the Christmas Ceilidh is the last dance night of the season, Tuesday 18th December - party pieces welcome - food even more so, see Irene N. if you want to discuss what to bring - let me know if you want me to fit in your rendition of 'Twas the Night before Christmas'!. Jx

First - This afternoon I had it pointed out that the link to the Ball photographs on the 'Past Events' page wasn't working so I apologise to anyone who got a bit frustrated trying to follow the instructions I gave at class last night. It is now fixed and working perfectly, but it was definitely a 'blip' in the system, when I first went in to fix it, it wasn't accepting the instructions to create the link - 2 hours later it has allowed it so I won't claim responsibility for the error this time, just want to say thanks to those you pointed it out. I still have a little video to upload, once I have time to do it, but I think the pictures by themselves show how much fun people were having.
Now the ball is over we are starting to say good-bye to many of our 'swallows' but we still had a pretty good turn out for a post-ball class with 3 sets up for many of the dances. I can now ring the changes a little with the class dance programme, bringing back a few old favourites and trying out  a couple of new ones just to keep our brains honed - everyone seems to have enjoyed the challenge but I also included many of the dances we've become very familiar with so it didn't become too much of a slog.
It is also gratifying to be asked to include certain dances on the programme - especially if the reason is that they are a challenge, rather than 'easy to dance', because the feeling of achievement when you grasp a challenging (to you) dance can add enormously to your pleasure - BTW I am always happy to include dances on the programme if requested, bearing in mind the need to balance the programme. See you next week Jx

What a fabulous night, it justified all the hard work and anticipation - which was a very hard thing to do. Well done to everyone who contributed, the Kamares Club, the amazing band, all our guests (both dancers and appreciative audience), the committee, who truly work very hard over this one - but most of the load carried by Irene an organiser extraordinaire, and before anyone complains, I will also claim my share of credit. 
The team at the Kamares Club yet again gave us the most amazing buffet spread; a fantastic salad selection, a truly excellent carvery with the meat cooked to perfection plus other assorted and delicious hot food and wonderful desserts. And then, despite having taken lavish advantage of all that food we all danced.... and danced.... and danced. Ian and Judith Muir of the Craigellachie band kept us dancing throughout the night lifting us with some fabulous tunes and against all my expectations we danced every single dance on the programme (despite me completely missing out Clutha from the table cribs). We have to thank our Ball Sponsor, Maureen Watt of Angel Guardians, for the diaries that all the guests received, the accompanying pens being donated by the St Andrew Society. We also need to thank the people and businesses who donated the Raffle prizes including the Kamares Club, Gustoso Restaurant and Irene's hairdresser! (who's name I will add to this blether as soon as I know it). The Portraits taken of all everyone (except one at her request)  will be sent out to each guest - compliments of the Society (if you don't receive yours in a week or so then check with us via the Contact page - it could be we don't have a current e-mail or contact for you), the other photographs and video taken during the night can be found HERE (as soon as I upload them) as well as other memories of a really successful night. I hope we see you all again next year, ohh and thank you too to everyone who liked my dress - it made me feel 35 again - which is about the last time I wore it :-)

Well done to the decorating team who joined us all this morning, the place looks absolutely fantastic, the band got busy setting up their little corner, the tables are festive and despite lots of misgivings over the amazing number of guests we are expecting I think we should have plenty of room to dance. The people who remember the very early days of holding the ball at Kamares will recognise some of the layout but for more recent guests it will be a completely different experience - we'll see you all at 6 I hope, looking as beautiful and glamorous as I know you all can (I'm talking to the fella's here, the ladies always scrub up well)  and don't forget your dance shoes if you aren't used to doing your pas-de-basque's in high heels. Jx