After my final Scottish Adventure it was time to indulge in a weekend of non stop – well near to dancing at Southport Dance Weekender – which as an absolute blast – had a much better time than in June – for 2 main reasons – knew a bunch more people and my feet kept it together and didn’t fall apart on me every few hours.
I arrived about 4pm and had my hug & dance before I even got to my room – thank you Pretzelmeister!!!
Saturday I had an early nap and managed to dance through the night until 9am Sunday morning – I don’t think there is a better place in the world to be than on a dance floor with nice people, smooth tunes and plenty of space. Thanks to CJ & Dave H for some absolutely fab dances.
Sunday morning – I managed to sleep for a few hours – but not as many as I would have liked before heading back to the blues room around 1pm – and that was pretty much where I stayed until 7am Monday morning when the music stopped – well done to Trampy for keeping the music going until then. The Highlights of Sunday Night/Monday Morning were chatting with Drathzel, new discovery’s jiveaddicted and a couple others who’s name I can’t recall or maybe didn’t get *opps* and lots of lovely dances with people I got to know at the last Southport and with my lovely friends from Scotland including my final dance of the weekend with Pretzelmeister *hugg*
And a big thank you to my lift home – got to leave at the very civilized time of 10am which enabled me to dance through to music’s end and enjoy breakfast (thanks to the organisers for that) with those still standing after all night dancing and helping Rachel & Marc pack up.
Sunday was a little sad as this was time for me to say good bye to many of my Scottish friends but Scotland isn’t all the far away for now at least.
Having a chalet to myself had it’s upsides and it’s downside – it was nice not having to worry about what mess I made or how much noise I made when I came back, or about being woken up by someone else returning – but it was also a slightly surreal and isolating experience – so in Feb I have convinced the lovely Jo to share with me.
Really looking forward to the next one in Feb – hope my chalet is close to the main building *brrrrr* :)
Only a few photos to busy dancing to take photos ;)
Tuesday, 19 September 2006
Final Scotland Adventure
Well this post has been a long time coming – was so busy enjoying my last adventure in Scotland that I didn’t write anything as I went so here is the somewhat abridged version of Yli’s final Scotland Adventure.*
Trampy arrived back on the Thursday before the Scottish Ceroc Champs so I was able to head to Glasgow the next day to farewell Lemoncake for her 4 month sojourn in Australia
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.cl09g0ol&Uy=-six4uh&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB
The next morning Pretzelmeister & I head up to Edinburgh for the Scottish Ceroc Championships. Which was a great day!!! I got very lucky in the Lucky Dip and drew Jammie for it – and although we danced brilliantly in our heat and made it to the semi-final – in the semi-final – a combination of extremely blah music and both of having our heads not quite there we danced no were near as well as in the heat *shrug* these things happen and we had fun
I also competed in Advanced with Sheepman and given how much practice we had had I was very please with how we danced – we didn’t make it beyond the semi-final (there were no heats) and this produced a lovely commend from one friend – that we had been robbed and should have been in the final if not placed – nice to hear – even it I didn’t see it that way.
Once the competition was over the real fun began – Freestyle dancing over 2 rooms until late.
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.6n7kum2d&Uy=vj6iu1&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB
The next day was day one of the trip proper – this trip was with Mum & Dad and we started with a day in Edinburgh – a day I not nearly enough time to see anything in Edinburgh so we kept it simple – starting with Mary Kings Close – which was very interesting – the streets were so narrow that I could touch both walls at once with out stretching!
From Mary Kings Close it was up the hill to Edinburgh Castle – for which a day is barely enough – my favourite place here was probably the war memorial which is the newest addition to the castle.
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/PostSignin.jsp?Uc=bn23palx.b8wro8s5&Uy=2ovlyc&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0
Then it was time to head for the highlands – stopping off at a random small town and coming across the Beatrice Potter Garden on the way -which is not nearly as delightful as sounds - some of the sculptures were rather creepy
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.50dp8do5&Uy=-xlo2w1&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB
Monday saw us heading off on a Whiskey & Heather tour – with Heavenly Highlands Tours. This was the high light of the trip for me the landscape was breath taking, the guide Paul was informative and we went off road to place you could never get to on your own, add in lunch, whiskey tasting & hills of heather *Sigh* it was heavenly, wandering though heather, deer spotting, ospery spotted and the so very cute sheep.
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.378dksil&Uy=-enlobs&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB
Tuesday saw us with another early start and heading off to Loch Ness – we decided to pass on the visitors centre and headed to Urquart Castle – a fabulous ruin with breath taking views of the Loch. On our way to URquart Castle we stopped at a viewing point and were able to go down to the shores of the loch & watch the mist moving over the hills surrounding it.
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.5vf0hyal&Uy=gg82ru&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.70ite0yl&Uy=mafo40&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB
From Urquart Castle we headed to the battlefield of Cullodeon which was kinda weird – you look out over this field – which has been restored to it’s natural state and it’s hard to imagine that so many men died here and the repercussions that had for the Scottish people…
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.47o6w8v1&Uy=-l9szfm&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB
After Cullodeon it was off to Clavia Cairn – which a number of burial cairns and from there is was time to head off on a long drive north to Wills ready for early morning ferry ride to Orkney.
If you ever get to Wills – be sure to visit the local hotel – they do a fabulous 3 course fixed seasonally menu – which was divine!!
Orkney was amazing and our first tourist stop was on our way to our B&B at the Italian Chapel – which was built by Italian Prisoners of War during WW2 – from there we headed into Kirkwell for a wander around a look at Magnus Cathedral, some delicious Orkney IceCream before heading to our B&B and once settled there head out to a jewellery gallery and workshop & chair makers workshop before having dinner at local pub.
The next day saw us heading off to Maes Howe, Ring of Brognar, Steness Standing Stones and leisurely meandering around the Island. Then Friday came and it was time to return to the mainland but not before another stop at the Jewellery gallery for a purchase and then onto a weavers gallery and a knitting shop before jumping on the ferry back to Wills.
From Wills we headed towards Inverness taking a detour around Inverness and heading down the side of the Lochs and enjoying the scenic route back towards Glasgow – we didn’t make it all the way to Glasgow on Friday got as far as Fort George where we after we found a place to stay we wandered into town for dinner and then walked back along the river/loch.
Saturday our mission was to get me to Southport for the JiveAddiction Ceroc Weekender and saw us heading over the mountains through beautiful terrain with mist covering the mountains and the sunshine breaking through – tried taking some photos but they just endup blah
Made it to Southport in good time and I was on the floor dancing by 4.15pm - but more about that in my next post
* you will be pleased to know that I didn’t make the same Mistake during my Turkish adventures which will be coming soon
Trampy arrived back on the Thursday before the Scottish Ceroc Champs so I was able to head to Glasgow the next day to farewell Lemoncake for her 4 month sojourn in Australia
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.cl09g0ol&Uy=-six4uh&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB
The next morning Pretzelmeister & I head up to Edinburgh for the Scottish Ceroc Championships. Which was a great day!!! I got very lucky in the Lucky Dip and drew Jammie for it – and although we danced brilliantly in our heat and made it to the semi-final – in the semi-final – a combination of extremely blah music and both of having our heads not quite there we danced no were near as well as in the heat *shrug* these things happen and we had fun
I also competed in Advanced with Sheepman and given how much practice we had had I was very please with how we danced – we didn’t make it beyond the semi-final (there were no heats) and this produced a lovely commend from one friend – that we had been robbed and should have been in the final if not placed – nice to hear – even it I didn’t see it that way.
Once the competition was over the real fun began – Freestyle dancing over 2 rooms until late.
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.6n7kum2d&Uy=vj6iu1&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB
The next day was day one of the trip proper – this trip was with Mum & Dad and we started with a day in Edinburgh – a day I not nearly enough time to see anything in Edinburgh so we kept it simple – starting with Mary Kings Close – which was very interesting – the streets were so narrow that I could touch both walls at once with out stretching!
From Mary Kings Close it was up the hill to Edinburgh Castle – for which a day is barely enough – my favourite place here was probably the war memorial which is the newest addition to the castle.
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/PostSignin.jsp?Uc=bn23palx.b8wro8s5&Uy=2ovlyc&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0
Then it was time to head for the highlands – stopping off at a random small town and coming across the Beatrice Potter Garden on the way -which is not nearly as delightful as sounds - some of the sculptures were rather creepy
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.50dp8do5&Uy=-xlo2w1&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB
Monday saw us heading off on a Whiskey & Heather tour – with Heavenly Highlands Tours. This was the high light of the trip for me the landscape was breath taking, the guide Paul was informative and we went off road to place you could never get to on your own, add in lunch, whiskey tasting & hills of heather *Sigh* it was heavenly, wandering though heather, deer spotting, ospery spotted and the so very cute sheep.
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.378dksil&Uy=-enlobs&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB
Tuesday saw us with another early start and heading off to Loch Ness – we decided to pass on the visitors centre and headed to Urquart Castle – a fabulous ruin with breath taking views of the Loch. On our way to URquart Castle we stopped at a viewing point and were able to go down to the shores of the loch & watch the mist moving over the hills surrounding it.
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.5vf0hyal&Uy=gg82ru&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.70ite0yl&Uy=mafo40&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB
From Urquart Castle we headed to the battlefield of Cullodeon which was kinda weird – you look out over this field – which has been restored to it’s natural state and it’s hard to imagine that so many men died here and the repercussions that had for the Scottish people…
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.47o6w8v1&Uy=-l9szfm&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB
After Cullodeon it was off to Clavia Cairn – which a number of burial cairns and from there is was time to head off on a long drive north to Wills ready for early morning ferry ride to Orkney.
If you ever get to Wills – be sure to visit the local hotel – they do a fabulous 3 course fixed seasonally menu – which was divine!!
Orkney was amazing and our first tourist stop was on our way to our B&B at the Italian Chapel – which was built by Italian Prisoners of War during WW2 – from there we headed into Kirkwell for a wander around a look at Magnus Cathedral, some delicious Orkney IceCream before heading to our B&B and once settled there head out to a jewellery gallery and workshop & chair makers workshop before having dinner at local pub.
The next day saw us heading off to Maes Howe, Ring of Brognar, Steness Standing Stones and leisurely meandering around the Island. Then Friday came and it was time to return to the mainland but not before another stop at the Jewellery gallery for a purchase and then onto a weavers gallery and a knitting shop before jumping on the ferry back to Wills.
From Wills we headed towards Inverness taking a detour around Inverness and heading down the side of the Lochs and enjoying the scenic route back towards Glasgow – we didn’t make it all the way to Glasgow on Friday got as far as Fort George where we after we found a place to stay we wandered into town for dinner and then walked back along the river/loch.
Saturday our mission was to get me to Southport for the JiveAddiction Ceroc Weekender and saw us heading over the mountains through beautiful terrain with mist covering the mountains and the sunshine breaking through – tried taking some photos but they just endup blah
Made it to Southport in good time and I was on the floor dancing by 4.15pm - but more about that in my next post
* you will be pleased to know that I didn’t make the same Mistake during my Turkish adventures which will be coming soon
Friday, 8 September 2006
Conversations with Strangers
Conversations had with strangers are normally of a ho-hum nature “isn’t the weather lovely” “Oh yes” and then lapsing into silence however occasionally they are outstanding flights of fancy.
On the train to Glasgow I tumbled in to a conversation of this delightful nature with the couple sitting next to me.
It started with a poster of birds from the newspaper and a fear of birds – his not mine, from there the conversation transitioned to tongue curling – she & I could do it, he couldn’t – it’s genetic just in case you didn’t know, to gold fish’s 3 sec memory to fear vs exciting to bumblebees and how delightfully fuzzy and pat-able they look.
And then the train arrived and it was over *sigh*
On the train to Glasgow I tumbled in to a conversation of this delightful nature with the couple sitting next to me.
It started with a poster of birds from the newspaper and a fear of birds – his not mine, from there the conversation transitioned to tongue curling – she & I could do it, he couldn’t – it’s genetic just in case you didn’t know, to gold fish’s 3 sec memory to fear vs exciting to bumblebees and how delightfully fuzzy and pat-able they look.
And then the train arrived and it was over *sigh*
Thursday, 31 August 2006
Up Up & Away
Got taken up in a little plane today by Bob one of the venue managers.
We had perfect weather for the flight - clear blue skies with just a touch of cloud.
The plan was to fly around a bit, do a couple of acrobatic tricks and then do some low flying over the hills, unfortunately the wind was bit puffy low down and the plane was a only little so the low flying had to be left off but the rest went according to plan.
Bob took me upside in roll over and then over to one side on a tight turn - it was amazing - to look down and see the ground at the end of the wing.
the view was amazing and as there was a big airshow coming up there was also a lot of other planes around as well - the chatter on the radio was amazing - between the accents, plane code and speed with which it was all said - it was like listening to another language - actually I'm quite sure it is another language
we had a little bit of trouble just after take off - had made a plane switch at the last minute and gave the wrong plane identity - shortly after take up a rather grump airtraffic conroller was asking Bob to "please explain"
Photos @ Kodak
We had perfect weather for the flight - clear blue skies with just a touch of cloud.
The plan was to fly around a bit, do a couple of acrobatic tricks and then do some low flying over the hills, unfortunately the wind was bit puffy low down and the plane was a only little so the low flying had to be left off but the rest went according to plan.
Bob took me upside in roll over and then over to one side on a tight turn - it was amazing - to look down and see the ground at the end of the wing.
the view was amazing and as there was a big airshow coming up there was also a lot of other planes around as well - the chatter on the radio was amazing - between the accents, plane code and speed with which it was all said - it was like listening to another language - actually I'm quite sure it is another language
we had a little bit of trouble just after take off - had made a plane switch at the last minute and gave the wrong plane identity - shortly after take up a rather grump airtraffic conroller was asking Bob to "please explain"
Photos @ Kodak
Wednesday, 30 August 2006
Rejected!!!
Rejected by the blood bank :(
Went with a Rebecca and Steven from work to give blood today – as it was my first visit I had to see a nurse to go over the questionnaire – for those that give blood in Aus here you don’t see a nurse every time to go through the questionnaire just the first time or if you request to.
Anyway going through the questionnaire and was going fine until I answered yes I have had acupuncture in the last 12 months – as I didn’t have a certificate from the clinic saying that they were a member of Chartered Physiotherapists , British council for acupuncture or general chiropractic council – they couldn’t take my blood for 12 months – however I can go back to the clinic and get appropriate certificate and then give blood so not a huge drama and we continue on and then we hit a snag – we get to the questions of surgery – I’ve had several but the one that worried them was my first one – Harrington’s fusion done in 1986.
The conversation goes something like this
Nurse: Harrington’s Fusion??
Me: surgery to straighten and fuse my spine – scoliosis
Nurse: I’ll have to check about that
She pulls out her manual and flicks through it for a bit
Nurse: I will have to go find out about that one
She leaves the room for a while and returns
Nurse: did you have any marrow products?
Me: um no – they used bone from my own hip to fuse my spine
Nurse: so only your own bone?
Me: yes they took it from my hip
And now it gets fun
Nurse: did you have a blood transfusion?
Me: No
Nurse: you’re sure
Me: yes I didn’t have a blood transfusion
Nurse: No transfusion at all?
Me: No transfusion at all
Nurse: and you are sure that you didn’t receive a blood transfusion when you had your back surgery
Me: Yes I’m sure
Nurse: are you able to check with the Doctor/ hospital
Me: that’s a bit difficult as that is in Australia and I am sure I didn’t have a transfusion
Nurse: but you could check?
Me: it would be difficult but I could do it but I know I didn’t have a transfusion
Nurse: But you should have had one
Me: It’s common to have one with that surgery but I didn’t have one
Nurse: And you are sure you didn’t have a transfusion
Me: yes I’m sure I didn’t have a transfusion, I can check – what documentation, proof do you require?
Nurse: umm none but would like you to check
Me: I know I didn’t have one
At this point the nurse choose to move on to the sex questions
Went with a Rebecca and Steven from work to give blood today – as it was my first visit I had to see a nurse to go over the questionnaire – for those that give blood in Aus here you don’t see a nurse every time to go through the questionnaire just the first time or if you request to.
Anyway going through the questionnaire and was going fine until I answered yes I have had acupuncture in the last 12 months – as I didn’t have a certificate from the clinic saying that they were a member of Chartered Physiotherapists , British council for acupuncture or general chiropractic council – they couldn’t take my blood for 12 months – however I can go back to the clinic and get appropriate certificate and then give blood so not a huge drama and we continue on and then we hit a snag – we get to the questions of surgery – I’ve had several but the one that worried them was my first one – Harrington’s fusion done in 1986.
The conversation goes something like this
Nurse: Harrington’s Fusion??
Me: surgery to straighten and fuse my spine – scoliosis
Nurse: I’ll have to check about that
She pulls out her manual and flicks through it for a bit
Nurse: I will have to go find out about that one
She leaves the room for a while and returns
Nurse: did you have any marrow products?
Me: um no – they used bone from my own hip to fuse my spine
Nurse: so only your own bone?
Me: yes they took it from my hip
And now it gets fun
Nurse: did you have a blood transfusion?
Me: No
Nurse: you’re sure
Me: yes I didn’t have a blood transfusion
Nurse: No transfusion at all?
Me: No transfusion at all
Nurse: and you are sure that you didn’t receive a blood transfusion when you had your back surgery
Me: Yes I’m sure
Nurse: are you able to check with the Doctor/ hospital
Me: that’s a bit difficult as that is in Australia and I am sure I didn’t have a transfusion
Nurse: but you could check?
Me: it would be difficult but I could do it but I know I didn’t have a transfusion
Nurse: But you should have had one
Me: It’s common to have one with that surgery but I didn’t have one
Nurse: And you are sure you didn’t have a transfusion
Me: yes I’m sure I didn’t have a transfusion, I can check – what documentation, proof do you require?
Nurse: umm none but would like you to check
Me: I know I didn’t have one
At this point the nurse choose to move on to the sex questions
Tuesday, 29 August 2006
A Gentle Day of Sightseeing & Swallows at Play
Monday was a bank holiday so now work – public holidays are weird here – apart from Christmas & Boxing day – they are sort of option – you get them but depending on circumstances you make get them at the time of them or at a different time all together. Also they have no name s- apart from the Christmas Day & Boxing Day they are all just called Bank Holidays
Any Monday was one and I got it off so I headed out to Abroath Abbey, which is only 40 drive from Dundee it is where the declaration of Arbroath the Scottish equivalent of the US declaration of independence was written, as far as ruins go it was nice enough but I’m starting to get to the point of seen one ruined cathedral, church etc seen them all – that said I saw a flyer for Edzell Castle and formal garden which was only about 40 mins away from the Abbey and only 40 mins from home so I headed there as well – the garden was lovely although the roses were somewhat past their best.
The Highlight of this adventure was swallows at play – along the drive way to Edzell castle they were swooping and diving all over the place – including one that flew just ahead of the car for about 2/3’s of the length of the driveway!!
Once I had finished looking at the Abbey I spent a good 10 minutes or so watching they over the fields beside the drive way – I tried to take photos but they were to far away to show up in a general photo and moving WAY to fast for a close up
Photos @ Kodak
Abroath Abbey
Edzell Castle
Any Monday was one and I got it off so I headed out to Abroath Abbey, which is only 40 drive from Dundee it is where the declaration of Arbroath the Scottish equivalent of the US declaration of independence was written, as far as ruins go it was nice enough but I’m starting to get to the point of seen one ruined cathedral, church etc seen them all – that said I saw a flyer for Edzell Castle and formal garden which was only about 40 mins away from the Abbey and only 40 mins from home so I headed there as well – the garden was lovely although the roses were somewhat past their best.
The Highlight of this adventure was swallows at play – along the drive way to Edzell castle they were swooping and diving all over the place – including one that flew just ahead of the car for about 2/3’s of the length of the driveway!!
Once I had finished looking at the Abbey I spent a good 10 minutes or so watching they over the fields beside the drive way – I tried to take photos but they were to far away to show up in a general photo and moving WAY to fast for a close up
Photos @ Kodak
Abroath Abbey
Edzell Castle
Monday, 28 August 2006
A weekend of Dancing
This weekend was a weekend of dancing as I headed out to the both the Edinburgh Monthly party and the Stirling Tea Dance.
On the Saturday, Dave & I met up in Dundee and then headed to Edinburgh where we met up with Marnie (Sydney dancer in London and up in Edinburgh for the weekend), Ruth & Roger for dinner. Dinner was delicious and companionable.
From the restaurant it was just a short walk to Marcos the venue for the Ceroc Party. I have to say that I enjoyed this Edinburgh party much more than the first one I attended – which was for 2 main reasons I knew more people and there were less people, so the was room to dance with out fear of stepping on or being stepped on.
Over all a very fun evening – although there was a bit much swing music for my taste – swing music is for lindy and the like not ceroc in my book.
It was fabulous to see Marnie – and not nearly long enough – looking forward to the chance to catch up with her properly when I’m down south more permanently
It’s amazing how much quickly a long drive goes with company – Dave was driving so the time flew even faster for me.
And even though there we were both tired we still stayed up watching WCS dvd’s until stupid o’clock – good thing that we didn’t have to be up early on Sunday.
Sunday saw us dragging ourselves up and out the house in time to have some lunch in town – I had planned to cook breakfast but we were up to late and I was to tired, then after a pleasant wander around town, it was time to depart for my final Stirling Tea Dance!
My turn to drive this time and once again amazing how fast the time goes when you are travelling in company – especially company that talks as much as I do.
The Stirling Tea dance was delightful as always – these have been the highlight of my dancing time in Scotland – so relaxed such a friendly bunch of dancers – several of the regular leads here are amongst my favourite leads here!
It all ended far to soon but with Dave’s company the drive home once again flew by
Photos @ Kodak
On the Saturday, Dave & I met up in Dundee and then headed to Edinburgh where we met up with Marnie (Sydney dancer in London and up in Edinburgh for the weekend), Ruth & Roger for dinner. Dinner was delicious and companionable.
From the restaurant it was just a short walk to Marcos the venue for the Ceroc Party. I have to say that I enjoyed this Edinburgh party much more than the first one I attended – which was for 2 main reasons I knew more people and there were less people, so the was room to dance with out fear of stepping on or being stepped on.
Over all a very fun evening – although there was a bit much swing music for my taste – swing music is for lindy and the like not ceroc in my book.
It was fabulous to see Marnie – and not nearly long enough – looking forward to the chance to catch up with her properly when I’m down south more permanently
It’s amazing how much quickly a long drive goes with company – Dave was driving so the time flew even faster for me.
And even though there we were both tired we still stayed up watching WCS dvd’s until stupid o’clock – good thing that we didn’t have to be up early on Sunday.
Sunday saw us dragging ourselves up and out the house in time to have some lunch in town – I had planned to cook breakfast but we were up to late and I was to tired, then after a pleasant wander around town, it was time to depart for my final Stirling Tea Dance!
My turn to drive this time and once again amazing how fast the time goes when you are travelling in company – especially company that talks as much as I do.
The Stirling Tea dance was delightful as always – these have been the highlight of my dancing time in Scotland – so relaxed such a friendly bunch of dancers – several of the regular leads here are amongst my favourite leads here!
It all ended far to soon but with Dave’s company the drive home once again flew by
Photos @ Kodak
Saturday, 19 August 2006
And the sight seeing continues
After we completed our assignment on the bridge Pretzelmeister and I continued on with the sight seeing first up was an impromptu visit to the Provand's Lordship the oldest house in Glasgow apparently - as well as having some fasinating items on display inside - there is a lovely garden out the back the perfect place to pause and linger for a moment
Now it was time for a drink – which turned out to be rather more of a mission than one would have expected when you are in the middle of a dozen or so tourist attractions while on our mission to get a drink we toured St Mungo’s Museum. St Mungo’s is a museum of religious history – not just Christian history. It’s quite something to see all the details of so many different religions side by side
After St Mungos we managed to finally find a drink and took time to rest and enjoy our drinks before heading to the final item on the agenda for the day – Glasgow Necropolis.
The Necropolis stands on a hill to the east of Glasgow Cathedral, just a short walk across the Bridge of Sighs. The monument to John Knox, which was erected in 1825, dominates the hill. The cemetery itself, like several in Edinburgh, was modelled on Père-Lachaise in Paris.
The Necropolis was amazing and we fabulous weather for it – it was fascinating seeing the different grave stones they used to put so much more information on them than we do these days, gravestones used be not just grave markers but testament to the life lived.
Photos @ Kodak
Now it was time for a drink – which turned out to be rather more of a mission than one would have expected when you are in the middle of a dozen or so tourist attractions while on our mission to get a drink we toured St Mungo’s Museum. St Mungo’s is a museum of religious history – not just Christian history. It’s quite something to see all the details of so many different religions side by side
After St Mungos we managed to finally find a drink and took time to rest and enjoy our drinks before heading to the final item on the agenda for the day – Glasgow Necropolis.
The Necropolis stands on a hill to the east of Glasgow Cathedral, just a short walk across the Bridge of Sighs. The monument to John Knox, which was erected in 1825, dominates the hill. The cemetery itself, like several in Edinburgh, was modelled on Père-Lachaise in Paris.
The Necropolis was amazing and we fabulous weather for it – it was fascinating seeing the different grave stones they used to put so much more information on them than we do these days, gravestones used be not just grave markers but testament to the life lived.
Photos @ Kodak
Bridge Dancing
After finishing our feast at the Willow Tearooms it was time to undertake Bridge Dancing!
LemonCake is working on a new bridge that is being built, and decided that she wanted to dance on the bridge before it was opened to road traffic and she left for Australia and had enlisted Pretzelmeister, McJester & I to assist her in this mission.
We were outfitted in boots, hi-vis jackets and hard hats and we were on our way – and will boots may not be the easiest foot wear to dance in make them 2 sizes to big and it gets really interestings
Photos @ Kodak
LemonCake is working on a new bridge that is being built, and decided that she wanted to dance on the bridge before it was opened to road traffic and she left for Australia and had enlisted Pretzelmeister, McJester & I to assist her in this mission.
We were outfitted in boots, hi-vis jackets and hard hats and we were on our way – and will boots may not be the easiest foot wear to dance in make them 2 sizes to big and it gets really interestings
Photos @ Kodak
Sunday of Sight seeing
Sunday started with Pretzelmeister & I heading to the Willow Tea Rooms for sustenance. These tea rooms have a long history in Glasgow having been designed entirely by Mackintosh and once upon a time were “The place” to take tea now days I would say you visit them more to be able to say you have been there rather than for the food or ambience. The food was average and the ambience rather tired but with the cheerful if somewhat tired company of Pretzelmeister a very pleasant time was had. And I further added to my Scottish food experience by trying some of P’s Arbroath Smokie – smoked fish prepared in Arbroath it was very nice – it was lighter in flavour and less bone filled than kippers which I had sampled the weekend before
The next items on the sightseeing tour were St Mungo’s museum, Glasgow Cathedral and Glasgow Necropolis but first a short intermission for some Bridge Dancing
Photos @ Kodak
The next items on the sightseeing tour were St Mungo’s museum, Glasgow Cathedral and Glasgow Necropolis but first a short intermission for some Bridge Dancing
Photos @ Kodak
Ceilidh Dancing
After finishing up at Kelvin Grove Hall I headed to Pretzelmeisters for the main purpose of this trip Ceilidh (Kay-lee) Dancing.
Ceilidh Dancing is a semi called type of Scottish country dancing and when I mentioned to Pretzelmeister & McJester that I wanted to try it they decided the Riverside club should be the place for my induction.
Prior to the actual dancing there was a home cooked dinner at Pretzelmeisters place with dessert provided by Lemon Cake – There were 12 in total for dinner and apart from an emergeceny run to the local take away for rice all went smoothly and was Delicious!!
From Pretzelmeisters we bundle off into cars to the Riverside Club – which has been running the Ceilidh dances weekly for about 20 years! We arrived right a little late but these things happen and we met up with those that had been unable to make it to dinner and had managed to secure us a well located table.
My first dance was the most sedate one of the evening – can’t remember what it was called – after that all the dances seemed manic in the extreme! I wouldn’t consider myself unfit but there was barely a dance that didn’t leave me at least slightly breathless if not gasping for breath!! This combined with the intense heat and lack of ventilation led us to seek refuge on the stairs outside to enable us to continue the evening.
Not knowing the dances wasn’t to much of a hindrance – as the band would explain the steps of the dance before they started it – and the lads with us led the dances quite well with appropriate explanations as we went along
The maddest dance of the evening for me was one called The Swedish Masqurade – this song was requested by Pretzelmeister requested this one and next thing I know I am following instructions to spin, jump and just follow – the fact that there were only two couples on the floor for this dance was terrifying and reassuring – terrifying in that people were watching reassuring in that I didn’t have to worry about hitting another couple as I whirled around like mad dervish. Pretzelmeister also managed to incorporate some ceroc dips into this dance as well!
One of the really great thing about the Ceilidh dance was the number of boys in kilts – actually boys in kilts is one of the best things about Scotland ;)
After the Ceilidh those of us with any energy headed back to Pretzelmeister’s for drinks, discussion and dancing.
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.cc49qul9&Uy=9qakkh&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB
Ceilidh Dancing is a semi called type of Scottish country dancing and when I mentioned to Pretzelmeister & McJester that I wanted to try it they decided the Riverside club should be the place for my induction.
Prior to the actual dancing there was a home cooked dinner at Pretzelmeisters place with dessert provided by Lemon Cake – There were 12 in total for dinner and apart from an emergeceny run to the local take away for rice all went smoothly and was Delicious!!
From Pretzelmeisters we bundle off into cars to the Riverside Club – which has been running the Ceilidh dances weekly for about 20 years! We arrived right a little late but these things happen and we met up with those that had been unable to make it to dinner and had managed to secure us a well located table.
My first dance was the most sedate one of the evening – can’t remember what it was called – after that all the dances seemed manic in the extreme! I wouldn’t consider myself unfit but there was barely a dance that didn’t leave me at least slightly breathless if not gasping for breath!! This combined with the intense heat and lack of ventilation led us to seek refuge on the stairs outside to enable us to continue the evening.
Not knowing the dances wasn’t to much of a hindrance – as the band would explain the steps of the dance before they started it – and the lads with us led the dances quite well with appropriate explanations as we went along
The maddest dance of the evening for me was one called The Swedish Masqurade – this song was requested by Pretzelmeister requested this one and next thing I know I am following instructions to spin, jump and just follow – the fact that there were only two couples on the floor for this dance was terrifying and reassuring – terrifying in that people were watching reassuring in that I didn’t have to worry about hitting another couple as I whirled around like mad dervish. Pretzelmeister also managed to incorporate some ceroc dips into this dance as well!
One of the really great thing about the Ceilidh dance was the number of boys in kilts – actually boys in kilts is one of the best things about Scotland ;)
After the Ceilidh those of us with any energy headed back to Pretzelmeister’s for drinks, discussion and dancing.
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.cc49qul9&Uy=9qakkh&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB
Lunching in Glasgow
Saturday I headed down for to Glasgow catching up with Dave, Jennifer & Caro for lunch, where I got to taste the wonder of Scottish cuisine Haggis – my verdict was taste fine – texture umm errr not so sure of.
After Lunch we wandered down to Kelvingrove Hall – which has just been re opened we didn’t have much time to look around but what we did see was great – including the interactive kids section where Dave created this masterful self portrait.
Highly recommend this gallery/museum to anyone visiting Glagow and for those on a budget it’s Free!
Photos @ Kodak
After Lunch we wandered down to Kelvingrove Hall – which has just been re opened we didn’t have much time to look around but what we did see was great – including the interactive kids section where Dave created this masterful self portrait.
Highly recommend this gallery/museum to anyone visiting Glagow and for those on a budget it’s Free!
Photos @ Kodak
Friday, 18 August 2006
Red Hot & Blue
Friday night saw me heading off to Edinburugh for Red Hot & Blue this is a dance night run by Dance Demon a local DJ. This night is more of a blues wcs sort of night – lots of slow funky music a sort of late night tea dance
The atmosphere was friendly and there were enough faces I knew to make for a very nice evening of dancing. Including some attempts as wcs with mixed results.
The atmosphere was friendly and there were enough faces I knew to make for a very nice evening of dancing. Including some attempts as wcs with mixed results.
The Engagement Party
Arriving back at E&P’s flat it was the usual chaos of 5/6 people getting ready to go out with only one bathroom. E decided to straighten my hair and took to it with Angela’s hair straighter my hair and took it from almost curly to straight in around 20 minutes something which it normally takes me an hour or more to do. I am SO getting myself one of them.
Finally everyone was appropriately gussyed up and we departed for The Lazy Vine, which thankfully was a mere 5 min walk from E&P’s. They had booked out the garden and were having a very casual BBQ – which made for a very relaxing evening with people coming and going and merriment until the witching hour. And so finally the in-laws met with and with Bellini's (a divine champagne and white peach cocktail) lubricating the proceedings all went smoothly
Photos @ Kodak
Finally everyone was appropriately gussyed up and we departed for The Lazy Vine, which thankfully was a mere 5 min walk from E&P’s. They had booked out the garden and were having a very casual BBQ – which made for a very relaxing evening with people coming and going and merriment until the witching hour. And so finally the in-laws met with and with Bellini's (a divine champagne and white peach cocktail) lubricating the proceedings all went smoothly
Photos @ Kodak
Scottish Money
The assistant at the Needle Lady’s was rather perplexed when I handed over my money to pay … Scottish money while valid in England looks very different to notes printed in England. The poor fellow was so unsure that the money I had offered him was actually real that he popped next door to check that it was real hehehehehehe
Human Pin Cushion
After lunch I headed off to my first ever acupuncture session! The acupuncturist didn’t speak much English so much of the history/explanation of why I was there was done a translator which was an interesting experience – but strangely enough it didn’t freak me out that this person with whom I could only communicate with in a minimal way was going to fill me full of long pointy needles.
After establishing that I was there to have the tightness in my neck worked on – I was shown to a small room where I was asked to strip down to my underwear and lay on massage table with towel over me.
When the Needle lady returned she started gentley poking around my neck and then tapped me sharply with a single finger and wa la the first needle was in – I was really surprise at the fact that I didn’t feel a thing as they went in – when she was manipulating them I could feel them but it wasn’t painful more like a heavy weight pushing into my neck. In short order she had 8 needles in me – 6 in my neck and on in each side of my rib cage. After this I was left under a head lamp for a period time I’m guessing about 45 min as the entire appointment took near to 1.5 hours.
After I had been baked for a suitable length of time the Needle lady appeared and removed the needles (this stung a little but not much) and finished me off with a massage.
The massage was different to any other massage/physical manipulation I have ever had which I think is in part due to the acupuncture before hand and just a general difference in technique – the oddest bit was when she smack the heels of me feet…
So far the best treatment I have had for my neck since arriving in the UK and will be having more sessions with the inscrutable Needle Lady next time I am in need when I am down London way
After establishing that I was there to have the tightness in my neck worked on – I was shown to a small room where I was asked to strip down to my underwear and lay on massage table with towel over me.
When the Needle lady returned she started gentley poking around my neck and then tapped me sharply with a single finger and wa la the first needle was in – I was really surprise at the fact that I didn’t feel a thing as they went in – when she was manipulating them I could feel them but it wasn’t painful more like a heavy weight pushing into my neck. In short order she had 8 needles in me – 6 in my neck and on in each side of my rib cage. After this I was left under a head lamp for a period time I’m guessing about 45 min as the entire appointment took near to 1.5 hours.
After I had been baked for a suitable length of time the Needle lady appeared and removed the needles (this stung a little but not much) and finished me off with a massage.
The massage was different to any other massage/physical manipulation I have ever had which I think is in part due to the acupuncture before hand and just a general difference in technique – the oddest bit was when she smack the heels of me feet…
So far the best treatment I have had for my neck since arriving in the UK and will be having more sessions with the inscrutable Needle Lady next time I am in need when I am down London way
Trip to London Town
Celebrations for my Sisters Engagement took me on a trip to London. So I jumped a train from Dundee to London - which while longer than a plane trip is easier straight of the train to the underground and then a short walk to E&P's flat. I arrived at the flat at about 11pm Friday night - just intime to meet P's Sisters husband A and A&B who were also staying at the flat - it was a rather cosy weekend.
Saturday morning E&P and P's siblings headed out to visit around london. I started a bit earlier than them which breakfast with Mum and Dad who were staying in a near by hotel for the weekend. After breakfast Dad & I headed into London where I was going to 1st Contact and after that we wandered rather confusedly around for a bit before heading back to Hammersmith and lunch with Mum.
Saturday morning E&P and P's siblings headed out to visit around london. I started a bit earlier than them which breakfast with Mum and Dad who were staying in a near by hotel for the weekend. After breakfast Dad & I headed into London where I was going to 1st Contact and after that we wandered rather confusedly around for a bit before heading back to Hammersmith and lunch with Mum.
dance practice
The weekend also saw me have my first practice session with my partner for the Scottish Ceroc Championships. These are a chairty event with all the money raised this year are going to DEBRA
My partner for these comps is Sheepman of Meltdown Mix fame - he's in London so we won't be doing much practice. We did 1 hour on the Saturday and where scheduled to 2 hours on the Sunday evening but he & Little Monkey went out for a day of lesiure and the car decided it wanted in on the lesiure bit and ceased functioning!!
we were pretty pleased with what we achieved in the hour we had.
Advanced is a little different in the UK to in Australia - no lifts or aerials of anysort are allowed - which means that the purpose of our practice sessions isn't so much to learn speccie moves as to try and develop a sort of basic connection
My partner for these comps is Sheepman of Meltdown Mix fame - he's in London so we won't be doing much practice. We did 1 hour on the Saturday and where scheduled to 2 hours on the Sunday evening but he & Little Monkey went out for a day of lesiure and the car decided it wanted in on the lesiure bit and ceased functioning!!
we were pretty pleased with what we achieved in the hour we had.
Advanced is a little different in the UK to in Australia - no lifts or aerials of anysort are allowed - which means that the purpose of our practice sessions isn't so much to learn speccie moves as to try and develop a sort of basic connection
Summer Meltdown Mix
Saturday 5th August saw DJ Sheepman spinning the tunes for Dundee's first ever MeltDown Mix.
It was sort of like a late night Tea Dance - there were mellow tunes, delighful company and delicious cakes!
the only down side to the evening was that it did get a little warm in the hall - found out at the end of the evening that apparently there was air-con we could have turned on Doh!!
Didn't loose the photos this time Photos @ Kodak
It was sort of like a late night Tea Dance - there were mellow tunes, delighful company and delicious cakes!
the only down side to the evening was that it did get a little warm in the hall - found out at the end of the evening that apparently there was air-con we could have turned on Doh!!
Didn't loose the photos this time Photos @ Kodak
Parking on the Wrong side of the Road
over here it is legal to part against the direction of the traffic. This is something that still startles me when I see two cars parked nose to nose or a car pulls out into traffic from the wrong side of the road. It just seems so unnatural.
I did my first wrong side of the road park when picking Little Monkey up for our afternoon of shopping - was a very disconcerting experience to cross to the wrong side of the road to park - luckly there was plenty of room so i was able to drive in easily - as parralel parking isn't my forte
I did my first wrong side of the road park when picking Little Monkey up for our afternoon of shopping - was a very disconcerting experience to cross to the wrong side of the road to park - luckly there was plenty of room so i was able to drive in easily - as parralel parking isn't my forte
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