Spring and Summer in the UK

Outrageously I have been saying that it is only a holiday if I get on a plane! Not so, I have had a great time with lots of visits and visitors, without once going near an airport.

I went to lots of concerts and shows during the year. Carmen and Hairspray, with most of the “gang” (Marc, Di, Janet, Joan, Jane and me), Ballet Rambert with Annabelle, Rumer and Eddie Reader with Cheryl, and more coming up. I wrote to the Evening Post about the production of Carmen as I thought it dreadful!

Cheryl and I spent a week visiting Ken and Denise, the friends I have known for 60 years, to walk more of the South West Coast Path, more later.

I enjoyed the Malvern Spring Show, after missing it for a year, with Cheryl.

I enjoyed some great tango in Edinburgh with Kay, firstly in April and then at the International Festival in May. This is the most amazing tango I have experienced outside Buenos Aires.

Fritango, now L Tango, has developed in Nottingham.

A wonderful visit from Lesley which coincided with Flavia and Vincent's Midnight Tango show in Nottingham. The supporting cast and band, visited a Fritango milonga and danced for us. This was a highlight, in some ways better than the show because of its spontaneity and that it was just for us! Martin Alvarado sang and made a separate visit later and gave a very successful concert.

Jiving has taken second place to tango but the "gang" did the Hemsby weekender. Jane so bravely attending despite her illness.

I spent as much time as possible at Trent Bridge watching lots of cricket, although I seemed to get frozen on many evenings. Not so for the test versus India, which was as good as any I have seen, with special things happening every day. Cheryl joined me for that and came for a week later when we managed 3 walks, 2 films, 1 theatre visit and 1 night camping with a special walk up Mam Tor and along the Great Ridge.

The camping followed a very successful visit and camp to the Gower peninsula when we had glorious weather and wonderful walks along the beaches.