A visit to Newcastle.

It is always lovely to visit Lesley, Tony and Matt in Newcastle. I am made very welcome and feel totally relaxed. There was plenty to do! Lesley and I jived on Thursday, although they played plenty of tangos for us! Friday was a genuine tango evening with a good lesson and then plenty of time for the practica. One man we saw was dancing with an oxygen cylinder on his back. That is true dedication. Saturday night was the annual dinner/dance which was the focus of my visit. I meet L and T's professional friends once a year and it is so easy and comfortable with them, as if we met weekly! A good meal, good live band and an amazing conjuror who was doing unfathomable card tricks! Sunday, both Lesley and I were too tired to dance - what a confession! Monday evening was more tango and a lesson with plenty of technique exercises. Lesley does not get the chance to dance tango often but is remarkable and follows everything. A natural I guess! Monday afternoon was a special treat, a very posh afternoon tea (well, hot chocolate for me) with little sandwiches (no crusts, of course) and a mountain of cakes. We could not eat them all and took home 10! In between all that dancing we managed a Christmas fair, a trip to Durham and some shopping. I will have managed to dance 12 times in 14 days. That is reasonable dedication!

A very full week!

Cheryl was with me for the week and there were a number of events that happily occurred this week. Firstly a concert by Rumer which was delightful with some lovely songs. She was so much better than when we saw her several months ago. Relaxed with the audience and a reason for each song she sang. Tuesday was Legally Blonde and that was a fantastic show. Dynamic plays it down. Great singing dancing and some OTT cameo,parts that almost stole the show. Wednesday brought Beverley Knight to Nottingham. Another fabulous performance which required 5 different costumes!! She certainly gave it her all and got a lot of response from the audience who were on their feet. Saturday was Bellowhead when we started on our feet. Cheryl insisted on standing tickets and we were able to jump around to the folk-rock music. Again the band knew how to treat their audience and we knew how to react. I don't think I would get CDs of Bellowhead or Beverley Knight but I would most certainly go to see them again as first class live performers. There were two art exhibitions. I always like to visit Nottingham Contemporary. I am very pleased it is there and free and I have seen school groups there which is wonderful. However I don't always like what I see and do indulge in a little rant. Also on this full week was a magnificent Lowry exhibition at the Djanogley Gallery. That was something wonderful and great credit to Nottingham. We managed a couple of walks, around the Trent and at Attenborough Nature Reserve where we sat in the sun, outside the visitor's centre, peeling off layers....in late November! We also has a couple of meals out, one at Jamie Oliver's newish restaurant, and got through 5 bottles of wine at home! Yes, it was a full week.