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Holiday on the Isle of Wight, July 2014

With: Guith Carnival Morris, The Oyster Girls, Men of Wight and Mr Baker's Dozen

What a great week, staying at a conveniently located campsite in East Cowes. A superb programme organised by Martin, with dance-outs in Cowes, Shanklin, and several pubs, with river boat trips and kayaking thrown in. We danced with four local sides, all of whom made us feel very welcome.

We started with a dance at the camp site to bemused fellow campers on Sunday. The only competition in the entertainment stakes was a Tom Jones concert half a mile up the road. Groupies Helen, Caroline, Bethany and Christine demonstrated a considerable lack of loyalty by opting to watch Tom Jones rather than BB.

Monday was a full day of dancing, starting with a walking tour up Cowes High Street and dance spots in the High Street and on the Esplanade. It was hot. (The weather, not necessarily the dancing).

Cowes High Street

On the Esplanade in Cowes

In the evening we took a boat up the Medina river to the Folly Inn where we met and danced with Mr Baker's Dozen. A good dance out which included a well attended rendition of 'Grenocide'.

With Mr Baker's Dozen and extras at the Folly Inn

On the Tuesday Martin had arranged a kayaking session at the Medina Valley Centre- very much enjoyed by all who took part; no better way to spend a hot afternoon than by paddling up the river to Newport and back.

On Wednesday after a day to enjoy the sights we joined Guith Morris and The Oyster Girls in a dance on the esplanade at Shanklin. This was a lovely evening, warm, with a good audience and some good dancing (the Hindley Lozenge Circle Dance was particularly excellent due to dancing on a well placed paved circle that was just the right size, meaning we did actually start and end with the same sized circle).

Seafront at Shanklin

Thursday lunchtime we danced at Arreton Barns for a captive but appreciative audience of holidaymakers. Good fun, and a good venue.

Arreton Barns- Phil has got his little man out again despite being told repeatedly not to

In the evening we met with The Men of Wight and danced at two pubs in Wooton. The second session was enlivened by a bit of a fracas with one or two inebriated locals who clearly did not understand the finer points of folk dancing. But more importantly we were able to take the opportunity to thank Martin for arranging the itinerary for the week, before the majority departed the following day.

With the Men of Wight

A lovely week and some good memories. Thank you, Martin and Annie!

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