Cinders, you shall go the ball!

Well a dance actually but yes, I am really going to a proper dance, just like the ones in the James Herriot novels I dreamt of, mournfully, as teenager because I truly thought that age had passed.

But no, it seems so many people still hanker after the era of getting properly dolled up, practicing their finest moves and waiting in anxious anticipation for an..."excuse me, may have this dance", that a Spring Dance, (40s dress encouraged - hurrah!) is being held the Saturday after Easter at the Guildhall - and I'm going!

Let me tell you, I am physically giddy with expectation, there is only one slight problem. Neither me or my date ...(Woody - can you believe it! I think he thinks he owes me one for being the strong-ish woman behind the comedy night).... can dance! Oh dear.

I'm actually going for a few dance lessons before the big night, although Woody is completely adamant that "he's not dancing", but I have a sneaky plan. For now I am acting very innocently and keep exclaiming "oooh neither will I, too embarrassing, I just want to drink in the atmosphere etc" and then I'll ply him with a couple of lager shandies and, fingers crossed, we might manage an awkward shuffle around the outer reaches of the dancefloor.

For years I've wanted to learn to dance but never plucked up the courage. I bought some big band music a while ago though and its completely infectious, my feet won't keep still. I suppose Strictly Come Dancing has made me feel like it could be really an option for someone, as inactive as me, to get up and give dancing a whirl (shamefully my only real exercise is the 3/4 mile walk to school, then back, a few times a week).

(very glamorous but a touch scary? think I'll go for something a bit more human, like letting my face move!)

I'm probably most excited about the dolling up bit, not much of a chance for that thesedays. I've already done a few charity shop trawls for a frock (something hopefully floral or with polka dots), I've got an ebay bid in for some shoes, found some silk stockings complete with stripe (goodness knows who will come across this blog now I've posted that!) and I'm planning on snaffling Eechie's new, miracle tongs to perfect the perfect waves.

Do you think my nostalgia trip has gone a bit too far? I'm reading The Land Girls by Angela Huth at the moment and I'm completely immersed in it and the evocative descriptions of Britain at war. I hope I don't come across as flippant or as if I'm trying to glamorise an awful time, but again, its really helping to put me in touch with my grandparents heyday, which is lovely because I do miss them so much.

So, I promise to post pictures after the event and will report on my first dance class on Tuesday. Wish me lots and lots of luck - I have two, very definite, left feet! All tips/advice on clothes, make-up and the vital dancing all very gratefully received!

***Thank you to everyone for all you lovely comments. I appreciate them all so very much. Your kind words, advice and encouragement mean the world to me. Thank you for saying hello, for returning and for always making me smile.***