FUN TIME IN ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND

Just to add some more of the great people I saw and who were so kind and generous to me and making me feel so welcome to the UK. Celia and Geoff Ellis were on holiday in Blackpool and came by and took me to dinner Thurs. night before MIL Word's - then drove by the hotel by coincidence on Friday. I loved seeing Robbie McGowan HIckie and Kate Sala for a nice chat and really look forward to Robbie coming to my Tampa event in Nov. My dear UK friend Jacqui and darling family stopped by the hotel in Blackpool to visit with me on Sunday afternoon and I was able to see them again for dinner on Monday in Manchester. Barbara with MIL was so lovely to greet me and welcome me with a big hug. Steve Healy from Linedancer Magazine was selling lots of dance shoes and taking pictures - it was good to see him and have him give my regards to Betty, Pam. Laurent and all of the wonderful staff. It was so much fun spending time with Show Ming, Pinger, Diana, Joyce and Kenny (who was kept busy taking all the pictures). Also getting to dance again with many of Big Dave's Wed. class who were also at MIL. It was wonderful to have an evening with Dee Musk and Shaz Walton at Dave's - looking forward to seeing them in Tampa! Really excited about Dawn Sherlock (she was a busy gal all weekend) coming to Tampa and maybe also Gareth Mole as well. Had a short talk with Maggie G. - she is never still for very long. Also Chris Hodgson - always so gracious. Got to meet Charlotte Macari and Pat Stott who may come to Tampa to teach in the future. Niels Poulson and Raymond Sarlemijn were incredible dancers and so fabulous to watch on the dance floor. They both will probably be joining us in Tampa next year. Finally had time to actually sit down and have a small bite to eat with Neville and Julie - and late one evening a good conversation with Rob Fowler who was everywhere doing everything imaginable. Pauline (Dave's wife) and daughter Christine helped with the set up and were busy helping all weekend - what a team. It is always nice to see Lizzie Clarke - who is so funny and one of the nicest people there is. Finally met Kelli Haugen who is so neat.

The Winter Gardens Hall is enormous and so full of history having been built in the l880's as I was told.?? I went up to the second balcony (the third tier was closed) and observed the wonderful scene beneath. The hundreds and hundreds of young dancers were amazing and a sight to behold. How exciting it was to be in this phenomenal building with so many fabulous dancers of all ages. Competition was in the big hall and the workshops were in the interesting Spanish Hall just to the other side and upstairs. Big Dave and Gary Laferty did an enormous job of DJing and keeping everyone happy all weekend. Not sure they got much sleep! Everyone was enjoying every moment just as I was. It was hot (not much AC in the UK) but no one complained. The bed and breakfast was just around the corner and very convenient. (But everything is small compared to what we are used to in the US). The various areas of England and Scotland that I visited were unique and different from each other. The southern area of Essex is gorgeous and quaint. The Midlands and the western coast of Blackpool intriguing as is Manchester nearby. I drove with my friends Chris and Ray north to Scotland with a stop in the lovely Lake District. Edinburgh was a buzz with the excitement of the festival and the Military Tattoo. We had great seats in the outdoor arena by the castle,. 7000 people watched this amazing evening spectacle. No rain- yippee!! It does not get dark until 10:00 PM this time of year which made it hard to figure out when to go to bed. I have more pictures coming and will have Stacy post them all on my web site in case you want to have a look later. Putting faces with names was really fun. The UK is a fascinating country and with so many generous and kind people - I hope you will have a chance to visit some time. All the classes and socials I attended were doing dances I know and I was happy about that. We are so lucky to be a part of this incredible world of line dancing and I am very grateful to be included. Will be back again if I forgot something - am still running on UK time!!

Luv - Arline

Copyright © 2007 www.tampalinedanceclassic.com All Rights Reserved
Site Designed and Maintained By Stacy Garcia