Last night the class enjoyed Galloway House, Sunshine and Sweetie’s Jig, The Tri-mariner, Lady Lucy Ramsay, The Priest and His Books and The Silver Grey.
Welcoming a few visitors – Jonathon and Rosemary dropped in to dance with us and baby Alex paid us a second visit. The dances were Cutty Sark, The Zoologists, Far North Queensland, The Recumbent Stone (Alex’s first strathspey), Rougemont Castle and Pelorus Jack.
We had a varied night at SoTR last night, some step practice, some polishing of formations and danced some interesting dances – Highland Fair, The Ravens’ Dance, Golden Years and The Mathematicians.
We welcomed another visitor, Gillian from the UK, so good to dance in an area which attracts lots of visitors. The dances were The Brudenel Jig, Best Set in the Hall, Drumelzier, Mary Erskine and The Reel of the Puffins.
"A late 1990s BBC documentary exploring the question of 'what makes people happy' concluded that the activity generating the greatest degree of happiness in its participants was Scottish country dancing. The aerobic demands of this type of dancing are considerable, and enthusiasts of all ages tend to be physically fit. So here is a hobby that is officially more fun than sex and also better exercise. What's more, you are not only allowed to change partners - it would be impolite not to." (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A315929)
"Let us take another example: Scottish country dancing. This is very social, it involves use and development of skills, and is relaxing in the sense that tensions can be discharged. It is in addition a complete world of its own, with special costumes and rituals, and it includes the arousal of a great deal of joy, partly through the music."
Argyle, M., The Psychology of Happiness (London, 1987).
An article from Men's Health (Australia - Jan 03) magazine explored this further - Have A Fling by Sean Thomas.