Sunset the way they do it in Ardnamurchan.
Thanks to Belinda we now have a presence on Instagram so you can follow us on instagram.com/vancouver.ceilidhs
https://www.instagram.com/vancouver.ceilidhs?utm_source=qr
The next Ceilidh dance is next Friday April 26 – the last Friday of the month. It is the fourth one of the year and the last one until September so you will all want to come and enjoy a great evening of dancing, fun and social interaction after all the fun that was had at the March dance where we had 129 danced to the great music provided by our own Calanais with the dances taught and called by Alison.
The dances are held in the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver which is a block north of SW Marine between Granville & Oak in Marpole. The evening starts with a free class from 7 – 7:45 and the dance with the live music of Calanais follows from 8 – 10:30. Admission is $15 (students $10) and there are refreshments available but remember it is CASH ONLY. Remember to bring some extra cash so you can donate towards the cost of the beer/cider/soft drinks/cookies etc.
If you are interested in moving to the next level up from Ceilidh dancing you should try Scottish Country dancing which is more refined than Ceilidh dancing but still lots of fun. Weekly classes are nearing the end of the season but you could look them up and find one near you. To help everyone find a convenient class here is a link to all the classes in and around Vancouver and the start time if known;
Of course there are the Scotfest BC Highland Games in June – scotfestbc.com – and Dancing in the Park (DITP) – rscdsvancouver.org – in the summer. Check out these events.
Thanks to my daughter, who was up visiting us from California, we got most of the ferns cot back just in time for the new fronds to zoom up unimpeded. It was a lot of work and we filled many large green bins. We also had a load of soil delivered – 3 yards for my neighbour and 2 for us – and dumped on our drive way. I took 30 wheelbarrow loads as my share to spread around the garden. We should maybe had another yard for the lawn(?) – a euphonism – maybe next year.
Our shade garden has many hostas which are starting to spout nut the harsh cold snap in the winter was not kind to some and also was hard on the rhodos and camelias. We hope they will be able to come again.
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Time to get the feet moving
Flowers of Edinburgh John Taylor and Andy Imbrie Live
I’m only sending this to the brightest of my more mature friends.
This test will keep that dreaded disease that affects your memory at bay
New Senior’s Exam, you only need 4 correct out of 10 questions to pass.
1) How long did the Hundred Years’ War last?
2) Which country makes Panama hats?
3) From which animal do we get cat gut?
4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?
5) What is a camel’s hair brush made of?
6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal?
7) What was King George VI’s first name?
8) What color is a purple finch?
9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from?
10) What is the colour of the black box in a commercial airplane?
Remember, you need only 4 correct answers to pass.
Check your answers below ….
ANSWERS TO THE QUIZ
1) How long did the Hundred Years War last?116 years 1337 – 1453
2) Which country makes Panama hats? Ecuador
3) From which animal do we get cat gut? Sheep and Horses
4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution? November
5) What is a camel’s hair brush made of? Squirrel fur
6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal? Dogs
7) What was King George VI’s first name? Albert
8 ) What color is a purple finch? Crimson
9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from? New Zealand
10) What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane? Orange (of course)
What do you mean, you failed?
the ruins of Dunskey Castle in Stranraer.
sailing toward Holy Loch with todays catch near the village of Kilmun Argyll-Bute.
Here is another tune for you to enjoy. Thought I better not upset the Glaswegians!
Click here: Spectacular footage of train plowing through deep snow
in Arthur’s Pass, B.C.
The road to Black Corries lodge near Kingshouse hotel
Video runs 3:44. For sure go full screen…. …this footage is of the ” slot man” in the Diamond formation…toughest flying due to wingtip vortices, etc…when he ” smiles”, he is pulling some serious positive/ negative “g” forces…
Notice the rest of the formation in the Pilot’s reflective goggles!
BLUE ANGELS – Insane Footage Takes You Inside the Cockpit
We don’t have to wait too long for the next Ceilidh dance as it is only 2 weeks away it will be held on Friday, April 26th. The same admission prices but Remember it is Cash Only both for admittance and for the refreshments.
Ceilidh dances are held in the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver. There is a free class at 7 pm then the dance follows from 8 – 10:30 pm with live music by Calanais. All easy dances that are taught and called and everyone has lots of fun and great exercise. Tell your friends and make it an outing – it only costs $15 ($10 for students) and there are refreshments (including cider & beer) for a donation. Remember it is “cash only” both for admittance and the refreshments. Mark your calendars now and make plans to join the fun. Check the website rscdsvancouver.org for more details.
The 2024 Ceilidh Dance dates are all on the last Friday of the month –
2024
April 26
September 27
October 25
November 29
If you have a group of 8 or more then the cost is $1 less for each of you. You have to choose a password, make sure everyone in the group knows what it is then contact me at duncanmackenzie@telus.net at least two days before the dance & let me know you have a group and what the password will be, then you do not need to all arrive together.
I defy anyone to NOT smile at this:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/sGF6bOi1NfA?autoplay=1&autohide=1&showinfo=0&rel=0
Rannoch Moor in the Highlands showing a snow capped Meall-a-Bhuiridh with the River Ba in the foreground.
A selection of “Maxine”
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Loch-a-Chroisg near Achnasheen
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Another good tune
The Flying Scotsman John Carmichael’s Ceilidh Band Carmichael’s Ceilidh
You gotta have standards?
The lady was a southern woman who attended church services and taught Sunday School every week. One Sunday, an out of town acquaintance, a gentleman, was in the pew right behind her. He noted what a fine looking woman she was.
While they were taking up the collection, the man leaned forward and said, “How about you and I having dinner on Tuesday?”
“Why yes, that would be nice”, the lady responded.
Well, the gentleman couldn’t believe his luck. On Tuesday he picked the lady up and took her to the finest restaurant in town. When they sat down, the gentleman looked over at
her and suggested, “Would you like a cocktail before dinner?”
“Oh, no,” said the fine example of southern womanhood. “What ever would I tell my Sunday School class?”
Well, the gentleman was set back a bit, so he didn’t say much until after dinner, when he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and asked, “Would you like a smoke?”
“Oh my goodness no,” said the woman. “I couldn’t face my Sunday School class if I did!”
Well, the man felt pretty low after that, so they left and got into his car. As he was driving the lady home, they passed the local Holiday Inn. He’d been morally rebuffed twice already, so he figured he had nothing to lose so he ventured forth with, “Ahhh, hhhhmmmm, how would you like to stop at this motel?”
“Sure, that would be nice,” she said in anticipation.
The gentleman couldn’t believe his ears. He did a fast u-turn right then and there, drove back to the motel and checked in!
The next morning, after a wild and passionate night of the most incredible lovemaking imaginable, the gentleman awoke first. He looked at the lovely Dixie darlin’ lying there in the bed and with remorse thought, “What have I done?” He said to her
“Whatever are you going to tell your Sunday School class?”
The lady said, “The same thing I always tell them, ‘You don’t have to smoke and drink to have a good time.’”
Dunnottar Castle in Aberdeenshire
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The 2024 season for Ceilidh Dances are scheduled (all on Friday evenings) as follows:-
2024
April 26
September 27
October 25
November 29
Mark your calendars now!
The dances will be will be held at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver. The class will be held in the large hall from 7:00 – 7:45 then we will all exit to give the band a chance for a sound check etc. and the dance class will run from 8:00 – 10:30 with live music by Calanais. Alison will continue to be your teacher/caller so you are guaranteed to have a great evening. No change to the admission – still $15 with students $10.
Help us spread the word – I am not into social media but I am sure somebody can promote the Ceilidh Dance(s) there for me especially out at the Colleges and Universities. Tell all your friends to come along – it really is a fun (and cheap!) evening. DON’T FORGET IT IS CASH ONLY.
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May your troubles be one, may your blessings be more,
and may nothing but happiness come through your door.
Duncan MacKenzie
ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org