Tag: Highland Dance
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And then there were three, Daniel’s birthday, and Chinese New Year celebrations
It is very quiet in the house again now as Granddad left last week and Daniel went back to university last weekend. It’s Daniel’s birthday today and he won’t be at home which is the first time we’ve never celebrated his birthday with him on the day. We did have a little family celebration last…
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Highland dance exam, a visit to St Andrews and little Lucille
I got distinction for my silver highland dance exam which I did in December last year. This is the highest grade you can get so I’m absolutely thrilled. I think probably they’re a bit lenient on old ladies because I’m not sure this was wholly deserved but I’ll take it! Yesterday we took Grandad to…
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My second highland dance exam
I did my silver highland dance exam today. This is something most students do at age 9 or 10 so I’m only slightly over the hill. I dance with the Pam Dignan dance school and I think it’s wonderful that Pam gives everyone, young and old, the opportunity to dance, perform and sit exams. I’ve…
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My turn to dance in a show
It was my turn to perform on stage last night and today as my highland dance school put on its annual show. This was quite a thrill for me as the only time I’ve been on stage was in a school rock eisteddfod when I was 13 years old. I dance at a different school…
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A trophy for Elizabeth
Elizabeth came 1st in her dance competition on Sunday in the intermediate 14 years and over category. This is the second intermediate competition she’s won and also the second competition she’s ever won. She never won any when she was in beginners and only ever managed one 2nd overall in novice. It’s a reflection of…
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Dancing, hair and Dickens
Elizabeth got her first ever 1st overall trophy today in the intermediate section of a highland dance competition. She came 1st and 2nd in every dance taking 1st overall. She was absolutely thrilled. The trophy is massive and by far the biggest and heaviest one she’s ever got. I’m still having weekly highland dance lessons…
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A weekend in Angus
For the past two years around the time of Remembrance Day, Elizabeth has competed in the Forfar Highland Dancing competition. We make a weekend of it and spend a couple of nights in Angus and that’s what we did this weekend for the 3rd year running. The competition is always on a Sunday and takes…
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Elizabeth the performer
Elizabeth has had a hugely busy couple of weeks. Last week she performed in the Leading Lights production of Sister Act at the Arts Centre. She auditioned earlier in the year and although she didn’t get a main part she still had an important role in the chorus as one of the nuns. She loved…
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Grandad visiting, end of school, and allotmenting
There’s lots happening at the moment but the big news is grandad is visiting which is fantastic. Daniel is keen to catch up to grandad’s height and he’s getting close! Daniel is still growing and grew almost 1cm just in the last month so he may yet make it. Yesterday was the last day of…
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The Kilt Walk, highland dancing, and visitors
Daniel participated in The Kilt Walk this weekend to raise money for Charlie House, a local charity that supports children in the north east of Scotland with life-threatening of life-limiting conditions. He raised £258 and walked from Aberdeen to Banchory which is almost 19 miles. He had blisters at the end of the day but…
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Elizabeth dancing the Highland Laddie
Elizabeth performed the opening dance for her school’s international festival last night. This is the Highland Laddie which is danced to the tune of the same name and is a renowned regimental march. Indeed the dance steps were apparently choreographed by soldiers in the first world war.
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A birthday, a trophy, some trains, and insects
What’s been happening lately? It was my birthday yesterday and I spent much of it at a highland dance competition with Elizabeth. She got third place overall which was a wonderful birthday present as there’s nothing better than seeing your child happy. The last two competitions she entered she came away with nothing so I…
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Piping championships, highland dance show, cycle paths, gulls, and hamster
Lots has been happening here. Last Saturday was the European piping championships in Duthie Park which saw some 150 pipe bands playing. It was very loud and our brains continued playing bagpipe music long after they’d finished. There was also highland dancing, lots of activities, and a dinosaur trail in the winter gardens. I do…
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Scottish things, foraging, and a haircut
Where did the weekend go? It’s nearly November and autumn is in full bloom. I wish I’d taken some photos today as Aberdeen is looking very pretty in its autumn clothes. My tomatoes are just about dead but there are still a few fruits ripening. Two weekends ago I picked this from the greenhouse. And…
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Photos from our weekend
Friends of ours who we haven’t seen since 2014 visited us from New Zealand this weekend. It’s wonderful to catch up with old friends again. Daniel in particular really bonded with the son who is a similar age to him. Here’s a photo in our backyard, complete with finger in front of the lens. On…
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A computer game and a highland dance update
Daniel wrote a game in Javascript. It’s a re-creation of the snake game. You’re the snake and you move around the screen consuming fruit. Each time you eat a piece of fruit you get longer. If you touch the edge or yourself you die. Movement is via the keys W, A, S, D on your…
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The Umbrella Project
Elizabeth got to dance in town today and yesterday for the launch of the Umbrella Project in Aberdeen which is a nationwide campaign to celebrate neurodiversity or different ways of thinking. One in five of us have a condition like ADHD, Autism, Tourette’s Syndrome, Dyspraxia, and Dyscalculia and the umbrella project seeks to raise awareness…
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Highland dance finale, sushi, school reports, and a cat pic
The finale for Elizabeth’s school of Highland Dance end of year show was last night. We went to the opening night and it was fantastic. Yesterday I was wishing I’d bought a second ticket so I could go and watch it again but they’d completely sold out. Never mind, we’ll get the DVD when it…
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Dancing for the Platinum Jubilee
Elizabeth got to perform at Craigiebuckler Church yesterday for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. I took lots of photos and some videos. They really put on a good show at this church as in addition to the dancing there were pipers and singing and crown making and that was just in the 1 hour period we…
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Highland dance competition
Elizabeth competed in her first highland dance competition at the Newtonhill Highland Festival. She did very well and came 3rd in the Highland Fling and 4th in the Lilt. Well done, Elizabeth! No photography was allowed at the competition so I couldn’t photograph or film her there. She says she enjoyed it and may participate…
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