WHEN I GET OLDER !

I have just reached the Beatles track age ! it hysterical that I am this age … when I act like a child lol

So very touched by the cards and messages stunning flowers etc totally spoilt ! Dougie would say I replied then i am worth it it … haha

no seriously i am so honoured by the beautiful messages .. means so much …..

the Generation family are amazing … AND SO ARE MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS ..

Had ad the most lovely card full of sentiment from Reece Danny and Molly … bless

It was a few weekends ago I was given a lovely surprise at our Generation Dance class , After class It brought such sweetness to us all ,after we had dedicated the class to dear Sandy Hamilton Bentes. (she would of loved it ) to toast my Birthday

The Generation family as we call it .... Is so very special,

through Dougie and all the different decades of dancers which is Generations, we are now in the 8th year of coming together once a month to a dance , It is so incredible , and a honour to be with all these wonderful friends ....

It has created new friendships and brought old ones back together and all because we have a passion DANCE

Over the years even people who hadn't danced with Dougie or myself have joined in the fun, everyone has been welcomed

During lock down we danced every weekend on zoom , I know it helped a lot of the group who were on their own which brought us all even more together

As a group of people it has been so beautiful the support that everyone gives each other and looks out for one another is incredible .....

the support they have given me over the past months has been heartfelt.

We owe all this to Dougie who brought the best out in all of us .

His spirit lives on in the classes xx

THE LAKES

For the first time in a long while i went up north by TRAIN !! was invited to go to the lakes with my dear friends Reece Danny and Molly the Beagle …Meeting them in Blackpool on the Thursday to go to the Lakes for the weekend ….

Me trains and luggage dont go…. when in a car you pack the world and out of touch with packing although I only had enough clothes for the days I was away my case was heavy … trip to winchester after a class was fine … thank god there was a lift to the other side platform .. trip to London fine … to the underground me underground the two dont mix well .. up stairs down stairs up stairs down stairs and so it goes …I got to Euston okay and train to Preston was easy and very quick the train was crowded …. me crowed trains …. i was meet by Reece which was lovely, happily gossiped all the way to Blackpool went to Franks Reece’s company Stay Blackpool apartments which are just fabulous … my third stay and i love it there … i am sure i should live in a flat ! THE APARTMENT IS STUNNING …. Reece went back to work and I popped into town to get some bits then chilled before we had a lovely italian around the corner … lovely …. early to bed i was tired ! Friday morning Reece came round and he showed me the new Ted apartments they are creating very nice indeed … then it was pack the car up and go and pick up Danny, lovely Molly and off to see Terry Reece’s mum before we left for the Lakes … lovely to see her as always … weather was a little rainy drizzle but didnt put our spirits down … the drive was easy well actually I wasn’t driving heaven forbid with Reece … he doesn’t like my driving ! well that make two of us … Heading up there brought the memories of when I used to take Dougie up to the lakes when we lived near Garstang…. lovely memories too… We got to Windermere quite quickly and headed for Chesters where i was hoping to get a slate for Dougie it was his birthday and wanted to get it in a special place for us both … Chesters’s was lovely as ever then had to go to the stone engravers which was lovely and easy picked the slate and design lovely for dear Dougie

Then went to the apartment we were staying … it was sweet just perfect for our trip… then a walk into Bowness there was a steep hill … i thought about the return journey hahah … we had a lovely walk around Bowness which is charming … looking at the boats and the beautiful scenery around the lakes is rather magical . a drink looking onto the lake and face the mountain climb to the apartment okay it was a hill …but a killer to me lol

We chilled a bit before going out again down the mountain okay hill to a lovely tapas place that the guys loved on a trip there before .. it was very nice indeed. red wine !!! then to a bar for more drinks … you can imagine …. brandy cokes … was happy which just perfect …. the boys danced hahah it was danny on the dance floor ! he kept his clothes on throughout … then the the thought of the mountain climb … but all didnt seem so bad … BED well needed … up early we showered not together Reece cooked breakfast very nice .. THE WEATHER WAS WET but it didnt stop us .. went for a lovely drive around the lakes tho the slate mine and walks … it was lovely although i look like Vicar of DibbleY awaiting a falling the puddle .. thank god it didnt happen ! Then a pub lunch heading back to Bowness for a nice little nap before heading out for a indian in the evening … again the mountain… haha we had a lovely night and early to bed … Sunday was not so wet so had a another walk around Bowness before we started going back , on my fav route seeing the lakes from high up to the village of Bowlands which i like very much … back to Blackpool for sunday lunch and a chilled afternoon watching Dance time from Australia which was good … must be the air but i was well done in …. so i went back to the apartment for a early night .. for my return journey …. which on monday was apiece of cake .. Even the bag didnt seem to worry me … had such a lovely time thanks to my dearest friends x

Generation class for Sandy

Today we paid tribute to the beautiful Sandy Hamilton-Bentes in our Generation Dance class

It was very touching the love in the room for Sandy was heartfelt …. She touched us all in so many ways …. We will miss her so much xxx

Dearest SANDY XXX

The saddest of news, our Beautiful Sandy Hamilton-Bentes passed away peacefully last night in her sleep…

Out love and thoughts to her husband Tony. & her family … that she loved so much …

Sandy such a beautiful person inside and out her kindness to all was remarkable… we all loved Sandy, To work with her was joy, and privilege always filled with fun and laughter .what a gifted dancer… One of the few that every choreographer wanted to work with … she had such style and loved to dance ….

She was always there for people … she gave her all to friends …

In later years she battled her illness with such positivity… always humble and never winged , in admiration how she always delt with everything a lesson to us all …

Dearest Sandy. We love you and we will miss you. Always be in our hearts and thoughts …God bless you ….. xxxxxx

Two Broadway Legends

I pay my respects to the sad passing of The Legand of Chita Rivera… the dancer of all dancers ….her style , dynamics performance were truly legendary I was so fortunate to see her perform on Broadway and the West End .

Meeting her was my star struck moment in life

She has inspired myself and countless others throughout our lives with her magnetic dancing singing and acting she was the Queen of Broadway

One of Dougie’s biggest thrills and honours was to choreograph Chita in a tv show in Germany ,a highlight in his career and his heart

We are lucky

There are wonderful clips of her performances on you tube …

My Love and thoughts to her family and friends at this very sad time ….

The lights must be dimmed on Broadway!

Another sad passing, the incredible multi talented Hinton Battle …

I first saw him in “Sophisticated Ladies” on Broadway and he knocked me out ! Talk about triple threat ! He had it all … an incredible tap /jazz dancer but with training at Alvin Alley he had a classical training that gave him one of the best male extensions I had ever seen ….

He then starred in The Tap Dance Kid another fabulous performance ( you can see on you tube clips ) He starred in other big hits on Broadway/ films and Tv. Directed and choreographed winner of three Tony awards …

My thoughts with his family and Friends at this sad time

Dearest Lynda

Hard to believe that our dear sister Lynda passed 10 years ago where does time fly …

always in my heart thoughts and love xxx god bless you dearest Lynda xxx

Champneys !

Another trip to Champneys to give classes over the weekend with Jackie Travers and Rosemarie Ford i think we took over 12 classes between us …. all the ladies seemed to have a good time which is what it is all about !

the bonus of bruv Paul and Judy came , we had such a fun weekend the classes were great and we had many a laugh at dinner …. Jackie needs a stand up routine !

ANNIVERSARY......

18 years ago today we celebrated our civil partnership and 10 years ago today we quietly got married today .. We celebrated 45 years together…. Amazing xxx myself and everyone miss you xxxx

I was knocked and humbled at the response as i posted on FB … IT MEANT SO MUCH ..

that everyone sent messages and likes ….

Dougie is so special .. Not a hour goes by when i dont miss him… At times i find it very difficult … but doing the best i can … at the cottage i feel him here …. it gets so lonely … miss you my dearest Dougie xxx

JANUARY GENERATION CLASS!

The family back together in the studio for 2024 ! it was a lovely class such fun and they danced so well keyed up for a great 2024!

Back in the studio!

Why seems a life time ago, Again working with Jonathan Blackburn for the VIKING cruise ships staging two of his productions shows , fabulous offices ,wardrobe and amazing rehearsal studio’s such a pleasure to work there .. with a talented group of performers ….

GENERATION FAMILY !

A lovely evening seeing friends at Monkey Island in Bray ,

NUTCRACKER

It’s brilliant ! So creative !!! Fab choreography wonderful dancers so inventive! Amazing band !

A true theatrical experience! In every sense !!

Loved the style its was witty .. moving … so wish I was 35 years younger. Oh how I would have loved to have tried to dance that … I take my hat off to Sam Salter what a dancer … beautiful. Handsome with a fab personality!

Amazing to see the lovely Sarah Drummond and her daughter. . She felt like me … would loved to have seen her dance it !

But let’s not talk about my journey home !!!!

Southsea !

Took my dear mum to the hospital for eye check up … then to lunch at the common used to be 9 holes buts its now by the other side of southsea common… fab food and cakes .. a brisk walk along the front .. oh I love the sea …. I wonder ????

NEW YEAR! 2024!!!!

After Boxing day I was going to travel up north on the 28th , but the storm brewed so thought it unwise to travel …. so got the Christmas blues took down the decs .. oh my that was a task and a half ! remind me a twig with berries next year … the cottage looked like it had been robbed … any rate didnt go the 29th either couldn’t make my mind, I wanted to see my friends Reece and Danny and the girls but hoped that i wasn’t intruding ….well i drove on the 30th … not a nice drive …felt long and i played sad music all the way …. so was feeling rather low , my first Christmas and now New Year without Dougie …. feels so lonely without him …. but Im doing my best ….. So glad i made the journey I was staying in A STAYS IN BLACKPOOL apartment in the heart of Blackpool , it’s actually owed and run by Reece, He has done such a smashing job …. so proud of him…the apartment is first class spacious well designed immaculate and a fab kitchen … and you dont hear any noise …. its s quiet …

We went to supermarket and got the food for another Christmas dinner we thought it would be fun… and it was … i think they both enjoyed the food …. he takes the p out of me and chicken a long story from years ago !

New years Eve the weather outside was rain rain rain so i really chilled at the apartment watching movies it was actually lovely .. I so enjoyed … In evening they laid on a spread with plenty of drink strange that hahaha

it was lovely to see the girls … i meet Danny’s father Pete my new drinking partner and Danny’s mother and partner David .. we had a fun night playing games all night ! bringing in the New Year watching the London Fireworks …. so beaucoup de drink it was a lovely evening that i will always be grateful … i was taken home and to my bed well needed …

The sun was shining on New Years Day I was going to Manchester to meet Simon for Dim sum .. so a drive along the prom seeing the sea always clears my head …. the fresh air and the emotion of the waves gets me every time … Drove to Manchester lovely to meet up with Si .. a great lunch in China Town and so nice to spend time with him … drove back to Blackpool and had a chilled evening ….

so the 2nd January TIME FOR ME TO LEAVE … SAD Really … i just start getting to relax and i ad to come back as taking my mum to hospital on wednesday … went and said my good byes .. and then a heavy rain and wind drive home …. actually scary but got home all safe and sound …

Huge thanks to my dearest Reece and Danny FOR THEIR KINDNESS LOVE AND SUPPORT ….

FOR ME Its a new dawn , its a new day, its a new life and I feel ………..

Happy New Year x

CHRISTMAS !

It was good to have a few days after Horse show to get ready for Christmas ! It felt so strange as this is the first one without Dougie … missing him so much, we shared lovely Christmas ‘s together … which at this time had lovely flash backs …. how lucky I am ….

Christmas shopping in Winchester , which looked gorgeous …. was all good had ordered food so just had to collect … Pat and lisa popped over and we went for lunch at Leckford which was very nice …

My Bruv came down and we pottered about … Christmas eve we went to the church service at St peters i laid flowers With Dougie and gave him and Michael a Elf hat …

Christmas morning up bright and prepared the lunch , My dear Mum and Paul and Judith for lunch, Jane brought mum up but didnt stay as wanted to be with Terry , so had prepared her a christmas lunch box …

Lunch was nice Mum enjoyed herself Paul was in good form .. and we all got a history lesson so a relaxed time we sat around the table for hours … some lovely presents a great set of kitchen knives fro Paul & judith

although Judith stabbed her self by dropping a knife on her foot … bless her …

Boxing day more of the same with lovely Ham and cold meats etc …

Mum stayed over which iI was nervous about but all was okay bless her …

the 28th i was supposed to go to Blackpool but there were bad storms up north so thought I would go 29th but actually leaving today the 30th .. so got down the decs etc … that was so harsh .. i say every year a twig next year with berries and thats it….

I found myself getting rather low …. it’s hard to beat sometimes you just have to go with it … i generally turned myself off and the out side world … Although thats where I want to be .. i am making the effort to go to Blackpool also to see Reece Danny and the Campbell clan and Molly & Bailey TO BE MORE POSTIVE …

I do try s hard …

I had lovely cards and lovely messages from everyone very touching indeed …. but missed my card from Dougie xxxx

HORSE SHOW WEEK !

A little reflection as I posted on The London International Horse Show ….

I just had an amazing week with the dearest of friends whose talents I admire and I get the chance to work with them too …

How lucky and fabulous is that …. The support and love they have given me these past months is beyond friendship.

It was all a little surreal being there … but his spirit was with us all … hopefully he would have been pleased with what we achieved …. But he was very much missed…

A big thank you to Simon and Annibelle Brooks Ward and all at Horse Power who produce this event which is just amazing it is such a honour to be just a small part of this legendary Horse Show .. to produce on this scale is mind blowing

We were fortunate on rehearsal day we finished early and got on the Elizabeth line ( how amazing is that! ) actually two amazing ‘s. Me on the underground ! In to London for a glorious walk around everywhere. London in Christmas lights never looked so beautiful…

If your around Oxford st near Oxford Circus we went to Twist it was an optical illusion light exhibition… it was fun !!!

But to our team a big thank you u all mean so much to me .. Reece Campbell Lisa Lee Danny Jones Jill Bowyer Pat Farmer xx

THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW 23

Just found out we had walked over sixty miles ! At Excel London international Horse Show !

(My legs are telling me that today !!! )

Well our Dancing Elf’s were just an amazing team this year … so Huge Thanks to Luis De Abreu and Tanya Compton at Bird Collegeuk

They were a joy to be with …. So professional and talented … a great bunch to be with .. we wish them every success for their futures in this industry…. ….

We also had fun with the riders fancy dress competition .. which was no mean feat ! but it all came to together …