Well, I thought I'd get quieter, and have more time to catch up once the ball was over but how wrong I was. All the things that I'd delayed thinking about until 'post-ball', suddenly landed on top of me with a rush, and it's taken a bit of time to recover. Blethers have had to wait for a while, but if my head is still only just above water, at least the feet are paddling a little less frantically to keep me there.
So, it's been 3 weeks since the ball and from the dancing point of view they've been excellent ones. Not only have the classes been well attended (up until last night - but more about that in a minute), but we've been welcoming new people to our sessions, as well as greeting the return of familiar faces.
Both Monday and Tuesday classes have had a great atmosphere, and many of the Monday class dancers have been showing significant increases in confidence allowing us to try more challenging dances and  increase their formation repertoire - well done them!
As well as the regular classes I've also called for both a Barn Dance and a Ceilidh, similar events but different sound tracks! - to which various members of the classes have also attended - a real bonus since at least they had a vague idea of which way they were meant to go! 
In all the time since the ball we've had beautiful weather - until last night when - it got a bit wet... perhaps not quite as wet a Scottish drenched-dreary-dripping-wet but certainly on the dampish side for Cyprus. I'd already had bad news from various people with health problems (get well soon everyone) that precluded them from coming to the class, others I knew were away and the weather was the final straw. However - 8 dedicated souls - plus our fabulous volunteer barman - made it to the class and we had the most amazing night of dancing - even managing the 5 couple dance 'Staircase to Styria' with literally everyone in the room dancing. A lot of hard work because almost everyone had to dance every dance but it was a really super night. 
And next week it's December... another year almost gone. Don't forget the various Pantomimes - we're booking tickets for everyone who wants to attend Old Mother Hubbard at Stage One on Dec 11th (see info on Future Events page), and we are also going to the Phoenix Club Panto 'Mother Goose' which is this week - I know a few places are still left on Sunday if you fancy it - but don't ring me, use the phone number from the posters on the phoenix club website www.phoenixpaphos.com - and we'll see you soon hopefully.  

Those of us with memories of last year's ball - when 1/2 our guests couldn't make it because of a humongous storm - will understand the trepidation caused by the spectacular lightening show we were treated to on the way to this year's ball.
Up until then everything had been hectic, but under control - Pete and I had managed to fit everything into the car in the morning, including our 2 meter ladder and me (just), so only one trip was necessary to get all our decorations to the Club. Daniela, Suzanne & Debbie turned up to help, and they turned out to be just the right people to get the place looking amazing with the minimum of fuss or guidance, and natural skill and energy; To then be confronted with the possibility that, yet again, people might not be able to enjoy the night we had all worked so hard for, was depressing.
Thankfully all was not lost - despite the lightening, the rain - what there was of it- held off until we were all safely gathered in! :-) And we had a fabulous night.
Despite the unavoidable absence of so many of our class regulars, guest numbers were increased from previous years by the inclusion of 'external' P3A members & dancer's family & friends - they entered into the spirit of the night with enthusiasm and many stayed with us until the last note of Auld Lang Syne and removal of the last fluttering flag.
The food served by the Kamares Club team was excellent as usual, service equally so, with the timing of the evening working out perfectly. Class members had plenty of dances to choose from, we even managed 2 sets up for Mairi's Wedding, and the more well known ceilidh dances were thoroughly enjoyed by all the room. The night flew by and it was a shock when I realised how late it was and that it was time to wind the event down, in past years things had 'died down' naturally and we'd called it a night - not the case this year! Thanks to everyone who contributed to such a fabulous evening, David, Doug, Pete, all the helpers in the morning and everyone who came and so obviously enjoyed it. Daniela not only took excellent photos with an unfamiliar camera, but also worked hard after the event to create a great little video for us - those of you on our WhatsApp group will have seen it, and I'll happily share if you get in contact. Lots of the photos can also be seen by clicking the link HERE (if you are reading this on our website) or going to www.standrewgroup.com and navigating to Events -> Past Events and clicking on the 2025 Ball poster. 
Now we are heading towards Xmas events - there'll be news of a trip to the Stage One Panto soon (our Doug is writer & director) and the dates and details of our Christmas Ceilidh can be found elsewhere on the site. We look forward to seeing you at the classes in the meantime however - tonight? I hope so.

​Okay, final numbers are in... if you have said you are coming ... we are expecting you!
As usual we'll be decorating the Kamares Club in the morning, so if anyone is available from 10 a.m. come along and join us getting it all ready - many hands make light work and it's always fun to be part of things - it also gives those of you, who may not be too confident about finding your way around the Kamares area, a chance to do it in daylight, before negotiating the route in the dark! Those of you who are joining us at the class tonight can pick up a 'route map' to the Kamares Club if you think it would be useful, they can also be downloaded from the Future Events page - find the link below the poster. Don't forget it's a 6.30 pm start - we've a lot to fit in - and if you want to dance it's worth bringing flatter shoes to change into for the dancing, both your feet and your fellow dancers will thank you for it!