Last night

I seem to have fought off that cold I thought was coming, or perhaps it's just biding its time until Pontin's. So I got to Risa last night after all. A bit quiet - I think a lot of people are saving their energy for Irene's bash at the Electricity Club tonight, which I can't unfortunately go to – but Abby was down for the weekend. I've just checked back through the blog and it's two years since we last danced together but it certainly didn't seem it: it was great fun.

Confusion

When I said I had a space available in a double room at Pontin's, I was referring to a room with two single beds.

At least one person didn't understand that. So I'd like to make it clear that I wasn't planning to charge anybody £130 for the privilege of sleeping with me ; )

Sunday salsa is back!

Andy's got a new venue for Sunday nights : )

Aqua Bar in St Mary Street, near the indoor market.

Beginners 7pm, Improvers 8pm, Intermediates 8:45pm. Free dancing from 9:30 to 11pm.

Irene

I knew I'd forgotten something - Irene's organised a Christmas party with Mauricio Reyes at the David Lloyd centre on 22nd December.

Also, if you're planning to go to her event on Friday it's only £8 if you're just coming for the free dancing, and there will be dancing afterwards in Conti's (as the Electricity Club turns into a pumpkin at midnight). I hope I'm still going to make it as I can feel the dreaded throat bug creeping up on me : (

Exito

(Spanish for 'success'). Three kinds of success in O'Neills on Monday night - sticking to my resolution and speaking Spanish to Cristina, calling a decent rueda, and the lift I learnt off Andy working with a partner who didn't know it was coming : )

There's loads of stuff coming up over the next few weeks, which is a welcome change from when the 'festive season' used to mean a month's salsa drought.

This weekend and next weekend Andy has a series of workshops from beginners to advanced at Fitness First off Newport Road (nice venue for workshops).

Next Friday (30th) is Irene's party with Lee and Shelley at the Electricity Club in Pontcanna.

Thursday 6th is the Bar Risa Christmas Party with Tony Lara and Daniella, and that weekend it's Pontins at Brean Sands.

Week after that (14th) is Tammi's Christmas party night with Leon Rose in Llantrisant.

Anything else anyone's aware of?

The last Pontin's place

I've just booked what is apparently the last available double room for Pontins, so if anyone needs a place please get in touch - you can email me by viewing my complete profile and following the 'email me' link. Alternatively I'll be at Risa on Thursday. Cost is £130.

Lots going on

Lots going on apart from Pontins, including Irene's party at the Electricity Club on the 30th (one of my favourite dancers, who I haven't danced with for over a year, is planning to come so I'll definitely be there). And then there's Tammi's Christmas party with Leon Rose on the 14th: tickets for that are going fast.

I went to La Tasca for the first time in ages on Saturday. I must get there more often. I had a good time (took me ages to warm up) though it was very crowded. I got asked to dance by a really stylish, expressive dancer who I hadn't danced with before: she said she goes to Risa which is good as it would be nice to dance with her with a bit more space.

I think it's time I made a public resolution (and if I make it public I'll have to stick to it): I mustspeak Spanish to all the Spanish dancers. It's too easy to stick to English because they all speak English much better than I speak Spanish, but I've got to practise because my Spanish is rapidly getting worse : (

Mood enhancement

I'd been feeling pretty down all day, partly from the cold that stopped me getting out on Monday, but I had so much fun in Risa last night. It helped that my first dance was with Debbie who was really on form. Kate led some great rueda - personnel varied but it was all two pairs or small group, including Debbie (leading), Nuria (back in action - hooray!), Cristina and Gemma. After that I really felt relaxed and confident, and had some of the best dances I've had for ages including a very long dance with Lucy. Unfortunately I had to leave early (early start this morning) but I left on a real high.