First we had to collect a few passengers. Vicki assured us that the forecast for Whittlesey was dry. Then Ruth and Al joined us with bacon butties for everyone and the morning really was starting to look promising. Eventually, about an hour after Mrs Squire had asked "Are we nearly there yet?", we arrived in a sunny and unexpectedly warm Whittlesey.
As ever the organisers did a splendid job of putting us all in the right places for the procession and before we knew it we were off. We didn't have far to go to our first dance spot at the war memorial and I have to say that I think we processed very well. Once there I threw new recruits, Helena and Roz, in at the deep end as I asked them both to dance an Ally Pally for our first dance. They both did fantastically well but special credit has to go to Roz for dancing out after just three practices!
Overall we danced very well throughout the whole day, with just a few 'slips' from some of us who ought to know better (myself included). Helena deserves a special mention for being willing to have a go at everything including a Grim Reaper, which I wasn't sure she had learnt properly although she danced it very well as it turned out.
As ever we had a wonderful time at Whittlesey, no doubt helped by the mild weather. For those first timers who came this year I just want to say - don't think you can get away without your thermals next year!
One of the great things about the Straw Bear festival is that we get to meet, and dance with, sides who we don't see anywhere else. This year we didn't see much of the molly sides but there were a few sides who stood out: Tyler's Men were very amusing, Hemlock looked particularly striking and Summertown were very friendly as well as being one of the best Cotswold sides I have seen for quite a while.
One of the other great things about the Straw Bear festival is seeing sides we know well. This year it was a treat to see Old Glory who were dancing very well as usual.
Based on yesterday's outing I am sure that we are going to have a wonderful year of morris dancing in 2014.