Dancing in Evesham

Another weekend camping - at a Morris weekend in Evesham. The forecast was pretty bad,so we decided to go minimalist, Normally I like my mod cons when camping, but this time we decided to leave most stuff at home, and just take our small tent and a kettle! This tent goes up in about 5 mins and comes down in the same time, and we thought if it really was rainy and windy it would be easier to manage. We were camping on the Meadow in Evesham, right by the River Avon which was dangerously high when we got there having driven through torrential rain. A local helpfully told us it would it would flood the other way, first.  So, tent pitched, we managed a sit outside and a civilised g and t before setting off to a local Indian for a curry. I was tying to follow a major upgrade going on at work and needed to keep my phone charged, so managed to sneak it into a plug in the restaurant. Stuart decided to wait until we got to the pub, and in the middle of an England football game managed to unplug the projector showing the game...

Evening spent in the gazebao, and a reasonably early night. Saturday wasn't too bad when we set off on our coach tours, and we managed to get some dancing in, between the showers.

The rain did stop us dancing outside at lunchtime and we had to be inventive and do a small dance in the pub.

In the afternoon we went to The Fleece, a beautiful national Trust pub, and when we got there it was throwing it down, so we sheltered with everyone else under a very wet gazebo.

But eventually it brightened up and we got to dance. In the evening we went for a chinese meal, and then sat in the gazebo again.

Sunday morning the sun was shining, and there were plenty of rowers out.

after a full cooked breakfast in the rowing club we got the small tent down, and gathered by the bandstand for dancing and then a procession. There were some serious hats on display.

And some interesting characters

The procession went up into town, where we all danced in the  market square, and then the showers started. We managed to doge them for our first dance spot, but our last dance was by the church, and as we started, the heavens opened, and we danced in the pouring rain. Got drenched. But, we got a round of applause!
Great weekend.

Non dancing weekend

A few years ago the dance team realised that we enjoyed going away together for the weekend, but sometimes the dancing got in the way. So, we organised a non dancing weekend. We went to the grouse and claret pub at Rowsley near Chatsworth where's there's a nice little camp site, and we've been going back ever  since. Last weekend was our annual pilgrimage, and the routine is usually the same.

Arrive Friday afternoon/evening, out the tent up in the rain (well often), have a relaxing drink in the gazebo after the rain has cleared up, and then go for a meal in the pub. Then, its more socialising in the gazebo, often with a few songs and tunes.

Saturday we walk into Bakewell - there's a number of different routes, and this time we went the steep hill way. After a stop to feed the ducks, its lunch in one of the pubs, and then an hour or two for some retail therapy.  Then - a breal with tradition, shock horror. Normally we walk back along the river to the campsite, but this time we caught a bus to Stanton-in-the-Peak. We were reliably told by Donald, the walk organiser, that the bus took us almost to the top of the hill. Well, he was technically correct, depending on how you define "almost". After a pretty steep climb we got to Nine Ladies Stone Circle, where the prehistoric stones made a good resting place. There was also an interesting tree, decorated with all sorts of stuff, including a dedication to Cthullu, which amused my son no end, but I've no idea why!

It was all downhill from there, back to the campsite, but on the way being one of the the dogs - a lovely gentle greyhound called Gem  - thought she could get through a gap at the side of a stile but couldn't and got stuck. Some very delicate handling and persuading her to go backwards eventually got her out.  Then everyone had a well earned rest.

The sun had shone on us all day, and continued to do so for the traditional BBQ. Everybody chips in and we have loads of food, followed by toasted marshmallows.  We also had pavlova, and I was challenged to whisk the cream with a fork, which I did, and tipped the bowl over someone's head to prove it was stiff enough. I'm glad it was! A rather more spectacular event was when I bent down near the BBQ to try and stop it wobbling, and set my hair on fire! Well, I'm told it was spectacular, of course I couldn't see it, but I could smell it!

More socialising, singing and playing, and this time it stayed nice enough for us not to huddle in the gazebo, which we've done before!

On Sunday  some of us walked to Chatsworth, via coffee in the garden centre, and had a picnic by the river, watching the deer who were on the opposite bank. A short shower had us running for the trees, but afterwards we were back on the riverbank with the kids paddling in the river.

A leisurely walk back, and a pleasant evening with those who were staying the Sunday night. A meal in the pub, a few drinks, and a not too late night. next morning we packed up quickly and were back to work by 11 - not bad really, and a great weekend with not a clog in sight!

Dancing Weekend

Great weekend away with my dance team, Yorkshire Chandelier down in Northamptonshire. It was the weekend of dance organised by Queen's Oak and Rose and Castle. About 15 different dance teams, camping at a Rugby Club for a couple of nights, and dancing at various pubs and villages. Great fun, and brilliant weather.

Good food, good company and a fair amount of beer and wine. There's some lovely villages which we visited on a bus tour on Saturday. Saturday night a ceilidh in the pavilion, and on Sunday we went to Stoke Breune Canal museum - a great place to visit. After a boat trip along the canal, all teams took turns to dance alongside the locks, being careful not to get too close to the edge.

Good to be with our mates Sheffield City Morris again.