Sierra County Linedance Festival, Bournemouth. 10th-12th October 2008

A Black and White Ball, that wasn't, and the afternoon tea that was just that - a cup of tea, but we had a good time anyway. We went on a line dance weekend, stayed at the excellent HEATHLANDS HOTEL Bournemouth- which we would recommend to everyone- . It was a shame that the hotel pool was closed because it was the end of the season, perhaps the organisers should have looked into this before stating on their literature that guests attending the Black and White Ball Line Dance Weekend could use the pool. It was also a shame that the fitness suite and Jacuzzi was also closed and so guests couldn't use it! However, the hotel management did provide fans for the room and agreed to take off the childproof lock so that we could open the windows, as it was a wonderfully hot weekend. The food there was of the highest standard, each meal was a treat to look forward to. The dance floor was adequate for the numbers there and the toilets etc cleaned regularly.

Bournemouth itself is worthy of a weekend visit, golden beaches, the Pavilion Theatre, the Bournemouth International Centre and excellent shops.

As to the actual line dance weekend? Well we were all disappointed that the music was not country. We don't expect ALL country but the only tracks played were those which our small group requested, and then not on the first night and NO LIVE BAND....The teaching on the Saturday was slightly muddled and overwhelmed by banter from the floor. On the Sunday our group gave up and went to feed the squirrels in the park. It's as well that we enjoy one anothers company because we were left feeling very much outsiders by the event and look forward to going elsewhere, we'll stick to Isle of Wight Tours or Kingshill in the future.

And the Black and White Ball that wasn't? Well it seems that this person missed out the small lettering that read 'and fancy dress parade'...we went looking our best in black and white smart clothes: the winners were dressed as convicts. And the afternoon welcome tea???No cake, no biscuits just a cuppa...we were told 'can you imagine the cost if we gave you all a biscuit?' Yes Sierra County almost £2 for 2 packets of biscuits...wow.

Sorry Sierra County, guess you won't be seeing us again, but then you thought we were too quiet anyway!

Tuesday September 23rd

Last week was the start of a new beginners class, which saw a few newbies, tonight we had some more newbies, this is giving us a good beginner group. There was the usual lack of coordination etc but on the whole the group did well. We started with Heels and Splits, California freeze, Can't Get you out of my head, Country Walking and Lemon Tree. After the break the teaching and tempo speeded up and danced, Crazy foot Mambo, Jailhouse Creole, Bossa Nova, Grass between my toes, Ribbon of Highway, Leaving of Liverpool, Come dance with me, Vertical Expression (to Tell My Ma) and ended as usual with Midnight Waltz.