It’s been a week of dancing and bishops and figurines. I returned to the scene of the boot sale again last Sunday, to no avail…but spent ages on google, searching for ladies with hibiscus and teddies, and then glory be! I found her, as well as another beautiful winsome creature in a yellow gown with red poppies. Within hours they were mine and much cheaper than the bandit at the sale room was asking. When I spoke to Gerry about my obsession, she was quite scathing and said perhaps I was at that age, when women collect figurines of cute animals or ladies in crinolines. I was black affronted, but secretly a little alarmed. Maybe I was? And then I suppose I would display them on a window ledge, all looking out to the street, for passers-by to admire, with the back drop of lace curtain. 

I remember as a child I would spend hours upon hours drawing ‘ladies’, wearing down my coloured pencils to clothe them in all the pastel shades, and have them in buns and ringlets and weave stories around them… Then I suppose I went on to Barbies, and now at this late age, its Old Tupton Ware. Marion thinks the next thing I should invest in is a cabinet, and then I can arrange them, and take them out to play on a rainy day!!! Maybe I will enjoy my old age after all.

And now the dancing. I got the train through to Burntisland and joined my friend Jinti’s Nia class.

She is a very infectious teacher, and had us all balancing and swaying about, doing very nifty jazz moves. I had my eyes glued to her in the mirror, so as not to see me trying to emulate her. It is such a cool thing to do, graceful, and yet not too complicated but definitely good for toning up. She and husband Andy took on the empty shell of the old Co-Op building and converted it into a brilliant café and pottery below.  Above is the suitably named ‘The Space Upstairs’,  where she has a huge dance space that she rents out to other groups, like yoga, pilates, ballet etc. After lunch at her house, we sat on either side of her fire and knitted like two French revolutionaries. Somewhere in all of that she gave me the recipe for Bishop’s Cake, which sounded divine.

On Friday, fired up with enthusiasm I was all set to go to Dance Base here in Edinburgh to take part in a Gentle Ballet Class. Unfortunately I made the Bishop’s cake, put it in the oven, and realised it takes an age to cook, so I had to forego my plies for another day. Secretly I was quite relieved, as it was bucketing and there was a wind to rival Queensland’s hurricane blowing outside. When I did venture forth I found a big tree had blown over…good grief it could have landed on me, so it was all very fortuitous, thanks to the Bishop. Now I really do need to go to the dance class, as I have just about eaten the whole thing, with little help from anyone else…it is toooo good.

Watched Natasha’s Rasta Mouse, which got rave reviews. I do love it, so sweet and hip hop happening. Love the music, supplied by Rastamouse’s gang the Easy Crew. Tasha said on Monday when it first went out, they all drank champagne in the studio and had a well earned celebration. Now they will just have to work extra hard to keep up with demand. I read somewhere that it has become a trendy topic on Twitter and one fan praised it as “the best 10 minutes of my life”. The Radio Times thought it was great saying it was great for little people as well as stoned students!!!! http://www.rastamouse.com/#/mainscene

John was silent on the piste all week, which was good, because I thought if he did get in touch it would be because he was being stretchered out…so when he arrived back from Spain I was pleased to see him all in one piece and looking very tanned and fighting fit! He had a brilliant time, and managed to keep up with his two racer sons. Now it’s back to gentle walks avec moi!!! (Poor John!)

So another week is over, the rain is falling and the snow drops are popping up. Next week I say goodbye to Nick. I shall be sad.