On my way home now from a 2 month BDSS tour, I have learned alot on my way around the states and europe.

We started in the UK, my first tour on home turf. The Bloomsbury shows were great, especially as that was the very theatre in which I first saw the BDSS show in 2005, and NEVER expected to end up performing on that very same stage with the troupe. Life is funny that way innit.
My husband rented a mini bus and drove 20 or so friends down to the show in Torquay, that was the first time they had seen the show, afters we went to the pub for some classic karaoke, troupe and all, Devon style. Pics to follow.
It was very inspiring to do a good length of touring with Bozenka, she is such an incredible performer, I was honored to spend time with her both on and off the stage. The continued hard work and dedication of the whole group continues to inspire me to train hard and improve, I am lucky to be where I am..

Belgium was a highlight, it was the first time my Belgian relatives had seen me perform in the show, they loved it.
Lauren and I also got to the munching of fresh chocolate waffles and truffles even if it was only fer an hour, it was sooo worth it man.

In France we stopped at Miles' castle for a mini intensive, the students gave good feedback at the end, and we all ate way too much incredible food banquet style courtesy of the lovely Lucy the chef. It was perfect, waking early to cross train round the grounds, then breakfast, then yoga class, then drumming with Issam, then we all either taught or took workshops till lunch, then more workshops, then more food, with discussions in the evening, exhausted to bed, then did it all again each day for 5 days I think. I was pretty much in heaven. I even tried spinning and veil and cane and classical egyptian classes with Bozenka and Petite Jamila. It inspired me to try now things for my own choreo and improv, I have alot of material to work on before tour time kicks off again.

Tour is so crazy, you never know what day it is, I scoffed at that on the first tour, thinking I was so together I would know, but now I lose track of the date and days early into the tours. Its a strange world, the touring world, with all the early starts, teaching, traveling, TV shows, slotting in mini sightseeing excursions, cross training to stay safe from injury, and having someone tell you where to be and when, you find it hard to keep a grip on the outside world; friends, family, partners, especially if there is no internet as is the case on the european tours especially. Its a balancing act thats fer sure...an act that I am still trying to master.

Now I am moving into a little place by the Teign river in Devon, chopping wood to stay warm, feeling a million miles away from the world I have been submersed in for the last 2 months, its a nice reality check. This will be the first time I have really unpacked my bags and got my books out of storage for the last 3 years at least. Its a nice feeling, but I cant get too comfy as I need to stay focused on new works as next year sees the production of a new BDSS show, so I am gearing up for learning new choreo, sewing costumes and coming up with new and exciting material for workshops. No rest fer the wikid.
It will be no easy task when I am away from the group and living isolated in the middle of nowhere, plus its high time I am wifey, I havent had a chance to do that yet as I left right after the wedding. Its so nice to be building a home with Oscar right now. This is the first time I have been in the UK for winter for a few years, I'm scared...its cold.
Off to split some logs fer the fire. Keep in touch peeps, see you on the next tour!!