Triette and a Book Cull

A real boost to my spirits after all the glumness of the preceding weeks, was a small gig in Norwich with Triette, my melodeon tutor Nick's band comprising himself on melodeon, Nic Zuppardi on mandolin and tenor guitar, and Ida (pronounced Eeda) who flew over from her home in Sweden especially, who plays fiddle and Hardanger fiddle. Those of you who've been reading my blog for some time will be familiar with them, and you can google them and listen to some tracks on their cd "Triette".

After a first half of stupendous music we pushed the chairs to one side and there was dancing! French or rather Breton dancing. Wonderful fun. There were some folks from the Norwich-based Pied à Terre dance society and also quite a few members of the Kickwitches molly dancers who know about Breton dancing, so there were plenty of dancers.

Jim, unfortunately, does not dance. You could not pay him enough money to get him onto the dance floor. I, on the other hand, love to dance, but don't know french dances. This lovely lady, called Pasquale, saw that I was desperate to dance and came and pulled me onto the floor and taught me some basic steps. Here she is with her regular partner.

She then handed me over to him and off we went, Schottisching away. Three to the right, three to the left, four slower steps round and round. With the occasional variation if you are up to it. Here you can just see me in my black leggings and green tunic. Pasquale grinning at Jim as he tries to get a good shot.

It was SUCH FUN!! Gosh I did enjoy myself. We even managed a variation! I wanted to dance all night. Sadly, I am not up to the polskas and mazurkas yet - maybe one day!

Pasquale did say I should join Pied à Terre but I think that is something I will leave for summer months maybe. I'm aware that it looks a bit empty - there were many more people at the gig and about a dozen or so couples dancing, but we seem to have caught a beer break!

We drove home later and I was still buzzing with the excitement of the dance, and the great music. Even Jim, who is a blues, not folk, music fan, really appreciated and enjoyed Triette's playing. Do check them out you will be amazed how good they are.

So I feel I have turned the corner and am feeling much happier; and despite the news from the hospital telling me my appointment will take about TEN WEEKS to arrive, I had a great evening playing music with Soiree friends Marj and Rob which really bucked me up no end. Thank you all of you who sent such lovely messages after my last post, it was quite heart-warming to read them.

Over the weekend, Jim and I culled some more books. You may remember a post from last year when I had a good old clear out, but look how many we sent to the recycling centre!

FIVE crates! And believe me, some of them were very difficult to get rid of. Even now I wonder why I sent the Reginald Hill books away - Dalziel and Pasco police TV series, excellently well written books, MUCH better than the Morse books, which  I think are not particularly well written though the TV series is excellent. And all those old Patricia Wentworth "Miss Silver" books - and many others I wasn't QUITE ready to let go - but they are taking up so much space, and to be honest I have read every single one of them over and over. They will all go to good new homes. Once upon a time you could sell them to the second hand book shop owners but these days there are so many books sloshing about they won't take them. Anyway, there is less clutter - and more room ......for more books I guess!

Do you find it difficult to get rid of books? Do you keep them and re-read them? Happy book-worming these chilly evenings, until next time.