The usual Shepherd pick up panic preceded a brisk drive to our dance site which was next to the phone box in the hamlet of Ham near Creech St Michael. Arriving spot on time (ish) we left the warmth of the car to be greeted by the type of sunny spring evening and cool breeze that only being near flatland and water could provide. We were also greeted by the more welcome of comments of "cor it's a bit brisk for May" and various replies such as "yes it is a bit".
Amazingly a small crowd/group had turned up to watch, including the one or two who will never come nearer than 50metres for fear of morris contamination.
This sunny first spot (we danced in the shade) was cool for the musicians, and warmer for the dancers (something to do with movement) was well appreciated by the small but very friendly crowd/group who now appeared to be grouping to conserve heat.
At the end of our display we were waved on our way hoping, we were told, that we would return next year. It was pointed out however that whoever had bought the house opposite the phone box and had spent a fortune doing it up, hadn't been told we would be!!!
Our second spot involved negotiating a number of country lanes to the Rising Sun at Knapp. (it was noted that Dave Lawrence, who lives locally, went the main road way!).
We proceeded with care, a low, but dazzling sunset in the rear view mirror and a number of bends and narrow lanes visible through the windscreen, we turned at last into the lane leading to the pub. The feeling that we'd made it was dispelled by the feeling we were on the wrong road. This was further dispelled by the sight of Ben Higg's mini reversing toward us at speed followed closely by a number of other "morris" cars also in reverse (this manoeuvre contained the straightest lines we'd had all night).
This spot was also cool, (we danced the in the shade again, 'cause the sun had now set) for the musicians, and warmer for the dancers. It was well appreciated by the small friendly crowd/group including someone who strolled past in shorts which caused a few jaws to drop.
Later in the bar the song session was preceded by food kindly provided by the landlord and was kicked off with Mikes rendition of "Chicken on a Raft". This was supplemented by an explanation of the chorus by a guy who used to be submariner or something. Further songs were sung which impressed some American visitors and we finally wended our way homewards, this time by the main road.
Apparently there is a photograph of the evening somewhere, involving a group of morris men and a Joe Raucki sign board but I couldn't possibly comment.
Amazingly a small crowd/group had turned up to watch, including the one or two who will never come nearer than 50metres for fear of morris contamination.
This sunny first spot (we danced in the shade) was cool for the musicians, and warmer for the dancers (something to do with movement) was well appreciated by the small but very friendly crowd/group who now appeared to be grouping to conserve heat.
At the end of our display we were waved on our way hoping, we were told, that we would return next year. It was pointed out however that whoever had bought the house opposite the phone box and had spent a fortune doing it up, hadn't been told we would be!!!
Our second spot involved negotiating a number of country lanes to the Rising Sun at Knapp. (it was noted that Dave Lawrence, who lives locally, went the main road way!).
We proceeded with care, a low, but dazzling sunset in the rear view mirror and a number of bends and narrow lanes visible through the windscreen, we turned at last into the lane leading to the pub. The feeling that we'd made it was dispelled by the feeling we were on the wrong road. This was further dispelled by the sight of Ben Higg's mini reversing toward us at speed followed closely by a number of other "morris" cars also in reverse (this manoeuvre contained the straightest lines we'd had all night).
This spot was also cool, (we danced the in the shade again, 'cause the sun had now set) for the musicians, and warmer for the dancers. It was well appreciated by the small friendly crowd/group including someone who strolled past in shorts which caused a few jaws to drop.
Later in the bar the song session was preceded by food kindly provided by the landlord and was kicked off with Mikes rendition of "Chicken on a Raft". This was supplemented by an explanation of the chorus by a guy who used to be submariner or something. Further songs were sung which impressed some American visitors and we finally wended our way homewards, this time by the main road.
Apparently there is a photograph of the evening somewhere, involving a group of morris men and a Joe Raucki sign board but I couldn't possibly comment.
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