Reply to: Hard Times

[Doggy Styles]

He could have joined my barbershop quartet. We're incorporating a Cossack dancing routine into our act and are all currently under the tutelage of the Greerson Ponsenby Dance School.

It's very hard; one crouches down with one's heels together, arms folded across the chest while alternately kicking a leg straight out in front. Back is kept straight at all times.

In my younger days, having strong and firm thighs due to my many athletic pursuits, I had a go at Cossack dancing. It was jolly difficult.

I don't think Ed was cut out for it, he was of a more spindly build. It's hard to describe his style of dancing on that day. To give you a flavour, part of it was ducking down low with his legs akimbo and his hands spread out beside his head grinning upwards at people.

Anyway, if you have any videos of your Cossack dancing to a Barbershop Quartet please post them. I'm fascinated by the concept!

[Zippy]

Malc and I have been whiling away the time playing "French cricket" with a couple of chaps from New Zealand in the tent next door.

No, a lot of squelching and uncoordinated fumbling before you finally get it up.

And you all failed to make the obvious "batting for the other side" comment. Tsk, tsk.

Chef is right - standards have plummeted.

[Paddy]

[TimberWolf]

He could have joined my barbershop quartet. We're incorporating a Cossack dancing routine into our act and are all currently under the tutelage of the Greerson Ponsenby Dance School.

It's very hard; one crouches down with one's heels together, arms folded across the chest while alternately kicking a leg straight out in front. Back is kept straight at all times.

And shout "Oi!"?

[gricerboy]

he performed a bizarre dance on his own

He could have joined my barbershop quartet. We're incorporating a Cossack dancing routine into our act and are all currently under the tutelage of the Greerson Ponsenby Dance School.

It's very hard; one crouches down with one's heels together, arms folded across the chest while alternately kicking a leg straight out in front. Back is kept straight at all times.

[Doggy Styles]

Malc and I have been whiling away the time playing "French cricket" with a couple of chaps from New Zealand in the tent next door.

No, a lot of squelching and uncoordinated fumbling before you finally get it up.

Indeed!

Unfortunately we weren't on a campsite, we were in some dark woods with no company or facilities, so Steve, Ed and I had to entertain ourselves but it was a long time ago, back in the seventies, and I can't remember what japes we got up to.

Sadly Ed went off his rocker a few years later, and I'm given to understand the poor chap died young. The last time I saw him was at a mutual friend's wedding reception in the eighties, at which he performed a bizarre dance on his own, before the music had started, while everyone else was chatting convivially around the periphery.

There but for the grace of God, eh?

[TimberWolf]

For £50 you could fly to Ibiza and camp in a luxury camp site with TV, free WiFi, wash rooms, bar, etc. As well as being close to a beach, walking trails, etc. And if you don't fancy paying €4/night for camping, woods are right next door and cover much of the island.

Camping Cala Nova - Ibiza

[gricerboy]

How is the camping holiday progressing, gricer?

The weather has been atrocious up there, according to reports, with plenty more to come. I've camped in similar weather myself, and it isn't as much fun as one might think.

Malc and I have been whiling away the time playing "French cricket" with a couple of chaps from New Zealand in the tent next door.

Re-pitching in the dark and in the rain was no fun I can assure you!

No, a lot of squelching and uncoordinated fumbling before you finally get it up.

[Doggy Styles]

How is the camping holiday progressing, gricer?

The weather has been atrocious up there, according to reports, with plenty more to come. I've camped in similar weather myself, and it isn't as much fun as one might think.

On one occasion, being young and inexperienced, two friends and I pitched our cosy three-man ridge tent over a conveniently-sized trench, the idea being that we could stand up in it to stretch our legs instead of venturing outside. Unfortunately, during the night the inevitable happened and the hole started filling with rain water. We all tried to ignore it by rolling in our sleeping bags onto the points of 'higher ground', but there wasn't enough room. Re-pitching in the dark and in the rain was no fun I can assure you!

[gricerboy]

Oo arr, Priddy Sheep Fair, where the men are men and the sheep are bloody scared

Looks like a day out with the Peak Army

[Mich the Tester]

Don't pass up the opportunity to go to Priddy Sheep Fair if you ever get the chance.

Full of proper country characters and they always have an array of agricultural vehicles from down the years.

Oo arr, Priddy Sheep Fair, where the men are men and the sheep are bloody scared

[pacharan]

Don't pass up the opportunity to go to Priddy Sheep Fair if you ever get the chance.

Full of proper country characters and they always have an array of agricultural vehicles from down the years.

[alreadypacked]

now I know who you are. you bugger

OE do tell

[wurzel]

Hard times indeed...

[EternalOptimist]

now I know who you are. you bugger