On the way back up -

It was great to be welcoming back some of our regular 'swallows' to Tuesday night dancing and, even though we were missing other regulars, numbers are very gradually increasing so that we managed to get 2 sets up at one point. This is something we haven't managed for weeks. It was a challenging programme, particularly because I am in the process of resurrecting 'Ramadan-ce' - you start with 'Sausage' Reels and finish with 2x1/2 reels of 3 across the set and then up and down - with some very unusual twirly bits in the middle - of course that's not how the instructions put it - but basically that's it.
We didn't manage it.
However for a first try it was pretty close and we'll try again next week. The benefit of trying something that challenging came later - because for the first time the class danced every other dance with no significant breaks or breakdowns  - including Staircase in Styria - in fact I didn't believe it when the music finished - there was everyone smug and smiling in their places, every slight hiccup corrected on the fly - and the 3 couple bourrel in Barbara's Strathspey? No problemmo - I've obviously been making everything too easy for everyone!  (well, okay, Postie's Jig wasn't quite as written, but it was lots of fun anyway)
On another note, Ball tickets sales are gradually picking up - we aren't likely to run out of them any time soon, however please try to remember your money and get yours sooner rather than later - the prep that goes into the night is quite extensive and having an early idea of numbers goes a long way towards making it less stressful - and in the case of the dance programme - more likely to include your favourite dance!