I’m catching up here…

The last Thursday in July saw our last Thursday evening dance out of the season. Together with guests Old Specklen Hen we were at the Seven Stars in Marsh Baldon. It’s an attractive location by the green, and after some trials and tribulations the pub is now a community owned venture and appears to be thriving.

We decided to occupy part of the car park, and had a small contingent of watchers. Who then found themselves press-ganged into a Shepherd’s Hey. It’s a risky business, watching Havoc.

Danced at Black Prince before processional to Town Square 

Where Mayors meet and Squires smile!

A dancer’s hands – buit whose??  A pint to the person who guesses right first! 

Another out of focus dance – the light levels are so poor this summer!  Or was Young Collins done at a pace?

A return visit to a popular pub for us – with Oxford City Morris Good to see Steve Tripping the light!

A fine band of musicians

Spot the fiddler! Who doubled up and played 22 different roles in one evening – a real quick change artist!

It stayed dry – but again light and temperature hardly reflected the summer for a home fixture – with splendid bacon butties and chips thanks to our hosts at our new – not so new now – pub.

A tiring night on our own!                                         

First weekend in July and Havocs are causing it in Towcester at the Rose and Castle/Queen’s Oak weekend

Dance out in Rugby with Earlsdon 

And Mutineers     John is lost in the new season fixture list – how will OUFC do?

The band at the Bull near Rugby – lunch stop    Sunday saw all sides at Stoke Bruerne lock dancing out.  A side with three fiddles!

 Old friends Old Speckled Hen were amongst the 16 sides at the lock 

Well what luck with the weather – we all stayed dry except Esther and Elsa who decided on a postprandial stroll on Saturday night between the feast and the dancing and who caught the storm – Esther was a short head winner in the Morris Stakes at Towcester races!

Our thanks to our wonderful hosts who put on a great weekend.

And – well – what do we say – comments like ‘slick’, ‘impressive’ and well ‘turned out’ – yes they meant us – Havocs!  Well done to all!

A splendid night dancing with Towersey at the Railway – another gloomy summer evening – that at least stayed dry – so much for summer dance outs. 

 Indeed like so many summer evenings – this summer! Light levels have been low.  But tonight Havocs had two firsts!  Elsa and Esther – what splendid swots!

The eagle-eyed reader of these pages may have noticed that we have had occasion to put in the odd little grumble about one or two evenings where the weather was a little damp. Our trip to Wolvercote on Saturday lunchtime, to join Wolvercote Morris at the Wolvercote Fete 2016 started well, with a free beer by the green in Lower Wolvercote. The sun shone brightly, and several of us had to see the shade.

We started dancing just off the green, and after a few dances from each side joined forces for Constant Billy. One set from Wolvercote, one from Cry Havoc.

A couple of drops of rain fell as we started.

By the time we got to the first chorus it was raining steadily.

By the time the second chorus arrived, the rain was belting down, and mixing in a bit of hail. By this stage both sides were completely drenched, but nobody wanted to be the first to break for cover. The dance was duly danced to completion.

Drowning at Wolvercote.

Mercifully, after a little added thunder and lightning, the rain stopped and we were able to dry out a bit for a few more dances, and then the procession up to the church. During which the rain started again. Squire and Foreman were thoroughly bedraggled by the time we got to the church; the rest had procured a board to hide under.

We passed a dry and warm night forgetting all about the day’s referendum with the very excellent Summertown Morris. Our young Nerys dances with them as well as us; the one picture I have from the evening has her in full motion, and considerably blurred.

Summertown Morris at the Perch in Binsey.

After the cold and drizzle the previous week, the evening was a huge improvement, despite very limited space for dancing and a pothole awaiting the unwary.