Plod..plod..plod on all three fronts, but downhearted I am not. Dancing and singing continue to provide me with superb company and help me retain my sanity and faith in humanity. Carlo, the Christian Arab from the Uni. has a very different style of teaching from Njaal and Cidinha. He likes big, purposeful strides and imparts sequences of half a dozen steps as opposed to moves requiring but two or three. Further he is very particular about the maintenance of the line of dance.

Maria's party at Edin's last Friday was a reminder, as if I needed one, of the warmth of association built up with Nottingham's dancers over the years. The conviviality in that back room, the laughter, conversation and indeed, the dancing was sheer joy. Maria is one of the warmest hearted people I know. It was her energy and thoughtfulness that gathered us all together that night. To see the smiling faces of Alison, Chinty, Federico, Tranen (?), Lynn, Sasha, Roy, Anya and Michael was uplifting. As for the dancing at the Comfort Hotel that followed, that was the usual wonderful experience. Sunday's early morning Southwell service was the first of many; I look forward to the others. There is space for tasty music of a greater variety, but with no sacrifice of quality.

Am off to Farndon tonight to see a potential UWDC client. Regular reading and talking re. the bus. is helping to build my confidence Today I am applying for insurance whereby to work the Nottingham markets. Some people are more at ease door to door, or talking with work colleagues. I am happiest as a stallholder. At last, with Andy Maile, I seem to have met a local Distributor who means business and is easy to work with. I have been very slow thus far at distinguishing the serious from those who merely dream.



I enjoyed playing host over the last week to Olly and then to Mr. L. Although I will not seek a paying guest I shall be open to requests. Olly's success with Fatladysingh is a tribute to persistence and a serious sense of mission, as well as the intrinsic musicality and excitement of their performance. If their Sheffield show was anything like what I have heard at Junktion 7, I can well understand why they came first.

I have not heard from Olly since he went to Chevenor. The map indicates there is a large area of flat estuarine marshland or pasture whereon to drive a whole range of vehicles. Whatever else transpires, Olly's organisational and technical skills will increase still further. Fortunately he will have the company of several other Dartmouth musicians and will be able to repeat his last summer's triumphal ska band performance on the bandstand at the finale of Dartmouth Carnival week.

Last week's English lessons at Bilborough were quite rewarding. I had never realised that the 'unspeakable/uneatable' reference to foxhunting came from Oscar Wilde's 'A Woman of no Importance'. I wonder what tomorrow's history will bring.

Must sign off now and apply myself to accounts and preparation of a presentation for my farmer from Farndon.