Reason for visit – need something special for my arbitrary 350th, of course!
There are some parkruns which are on the “must do” bucket list, and Inis Meain, one of the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland, has rapidly secured its place on that list.
I’d been gutted when I couldn’t make a previous UK parkrun tourists group visit, as I was travelling to Scotland that day, see Deputy dawg blog. So I was delighted to find that another semi organised trip was planned for the end of August. And, more excitingly, this would be my 350th parkrun!
Milestones are hard won: you maybe get a 50 T shirt after little more than a year’s parkrunning, with the 100 shirt another year away. Then it’s a whole 3 years plus wait for a 250 shirt, and another FIVE years minimum before a 500 shirt is yours. So it’s no wonder we resort to daft challenges in between times, and also celebrate “arbitrary” milestones in our own way….
Access:
This is NOT an easy one to get to. You can’t just drive there, you need to book a ferry or plane trip, and both of those are subject to the vagaries of the weather. I booked a ferry trip from Doolin, which is a 4 1/2 drive from me, but wisely decided to go down the night before. I stayed in a BnB in Ballyvaughan, a charming village about 20 miles north, and on the Saturday morning I took the glorious coastal road round to Doolin. If you are going to stay a few days (and you’d be well advised to!) then Doolin is colourful and has some lively pubs and aran sweater shops. But it’s also a popular tourist destination, so expect availability and prices to reflect this.
If you are in Ballyvaughan, then Monks seafood restaurant comes highly recommended, but you do need to book in advance.
The outward ferry left at 9, and with a short stop to drop passengers off at Inis Oirr (small island) arrived at 9.45. The views from the ferry are nothing short of breathtaking, with the Cliffs of Moher standing resplendent to the east, and the magnificent Twelve Bens behind the sparkling waters of Galway Bay.
Once off the ferry, it’s a good 2km stroll up to where the parkrun starts.
Facilities:
There are loos at the community hall en route, and at the school hall where the briefing takes place. When I visited there were water bottles and muffins afterwards, but there is also a pub which does a selection of toasties and pizzas, as well as a shop/ cafe that has some small snacks.
To pass the rest of your time on the island while waiting for the return ferry at 4.15, you could visit a few viewpoints, enjoy the sense of calm, maybe go for a swim.
Course:
2 laps on tarmac on roads, where there SHOULD be no cars! It’s a tough hilly start, followed by a flattish section, followed by a downhill section, another flat, and repeat. Cheery marshals at each corner, and even some support from locals.
Time:
I’m still adopting a “walk the ups, run the downs” approach, plus I was stopping to take photos, so a 46-46 was fine by me. I’m pretty sure what position token I got, though the official results say 66.
Crowd:
I have to admit, I was expecting more of a “party bus” atmosphere at the port and on the ferry. Everyone seemed quite subdued, and I didn’t even see any group photos being taken. I was delighted to meet (again) Monica – this was her completing the full Irish set, a previous attempt having fallen foul of fog with her plane cancelled.
Gear:
I’d forgotten my cow cowl (but I didn’t see any others), and wore my reinforced front trousers, With Me Now top, world tourist jacket, and my Jog Lisburn hat, which turned out to be my MVP. It also held a 250 (runs) and a 100 (volunteer) badge, which together celebrated the 350.
Strangely Appropriate Song on Shuffle:
I’d been listening to RTE Lyric on the way down, and smiled/cried at Liam Neeson’s rendition of Van the Man’s “Coney Island” – wouldn’t it be great if it was like this all the time?
And the rest:
Those other daft challenges I mentioned? Well, one of them is “Old Macdonald”, for completing parkruns beginning with E,I,E,I,O. So this was my second I, so completing that badge!
“ there’s a million things I haven’t done, but just you wait”
So sings Alexander Hamilton in the eponymous hit show.
As I prepared for my stint as Summer School Depute Director (or Deputy Dawg), I was very cognisant of the fact that I was about to do an awful lot of things that I’d never done before, so I was understandably apprehensive. And I asked myself, why on earth I’d wanted to do this?
I’d noticed that I was clenching my jaw, as I pondered how I could manage to pull off MCing in the Younger Hall, 200 eager faces looking up at me, and the renowned Jim Lindsay Band beside me. Could I put together a spectacular dem team, make sure the exams ran smoothly, and keep an eye on the young folk attending in week 3? And could I also juggle teaching a Saturday morning class, MCing the ceilidh, as well as assisting in the ambitious centenary events being planned? The depute’s “brief” is anything but!
So here we go with Deputy Dawg’s Blog
Day 1– Saturday
I was doing weeks 3 and 4 along with Director Sue. I’d asked if I could arrive on the Saturday before my fortnight started, to ensure I got there in time, and to get a decent handover with the previous team (directors and deputes do 2 weeks each.)
My first “million things I haven’t done” (MTIHD) was actually to drive to St Andrews-previously I’d flown, train, bussed, but it would be very useful to have transport to get round all the halls being used, or indeed, ferry someone to hospital.
My parkrun mascot, Cracker, came with me, though I would be missing 3 Saturday parkruns on the trot. On the ferry, I was directed into the bowels of the ship, deck 1, right at the front, pointing forward. So not only would I have to reverse to get out, I’d also have to go back up that scary steep ramp, my sensors beeping as I pressed the accelerator. And yes, I was last off the boat.
The journey up was pleasant and uneventful (I like that in a journey), with a toilet stop in Ayr, and a stretch of the legs once I got north of Glasgow. The sat nav took me easily to university hall, where I was delighted to find I had an en suite room for the fortnight. This was a real game changer for me, I find the shared facilities an awkwardness I could do without.
Over dinner it was a lot of saying Hi to old friends, who would sadly be leaving tomorrow. I watched the dancing from the balcony in the Younger Hall. As I wasn’t technically an attendee yet, I couldn’t join the dancing, but I was envious of all the space they had to dance, my 2 weeks had much bigger numbers, and space on that famous sprung floor would be at a premium.
Day 2 Sunday
9 am start. Handover with previous depute, who took me through the intricacies of the noticeboard, which would be the bane of my life, with its fiddly key and out-of-arms-reach height.
I sorted the name badges into alphabetical order and got ready for this week’s arrivals. Although registration wasn’t officially till 4, some attendees arrived before this, especially those coming from far away. At the front door I met a charming Japanese couple, who spoke absolutely no English. I tried to explain to them that they could leave their luggage here and come back later to register. Google translate on the phone is a godsend!
Some attendees had volunteered to help with registration, so I briefed them while we started dishing out badges.
Staff meeting at 5 with director Sue highlighting the week’s events.
Junior summer camp was on this week, so we said hi to the young ‘uns. Then a First timers briefing, introducing them to their teacher and answering any questions.
The traditional drinks reception was at 8.15, including a welcome speech from Sue. No photography as we have under 18s this week, and no alcohol to be left in the party room.
Next on my MTIHD was to call the dances in the common room, accompanied by Alan Ross. It was a lot of fun, and I soon relaxed into it. Alan was very calm, and played some fantastic tunes that had the crowd demanding more.
Tidied up, closed windows.
Drinks in directors study for the musicians Frank and Alan. The depute’s job is to replenish the ice, slice lemons, help serve drinks and hand round nibbles. I was trying desperately to remember a joke I’d heard, but, in best Morecambe and wise style, I was using all the right words, but not necessarily in the right order.
Day 3 Monday
Remembered that joke for Frank! (See footnotes, but don’t get overexcited) But it’s not a suitable one for the ceilidh.
I stationed myself with a coffee in the crush hall, aiming to ensure that first timers found their teacher or knew where they were going, and trying to deal with people already asking to change classes.
We packed some bags with teas, coffees etc for all the halls, before doing our rounds. Shock horror, there was No Coffee in Town hall! We got sorted with the janitor who will do it for the rest of the fortnight, so taking any pressure off us.
I was paying particular attention to the dancers in the High impact classes to identify dem team possibilities.
After lunch, we had a meeting with teachers to sort out class moves (all sorts of reasons given from the students!)
Some of the unit 3 candidates hadn’t submitted their photos, so I went to their classes and took the necessary headshots.
After evening dinner, we went to the town hall, where I continued my search for the dem team. I think I have 4 women ok but need a man number 4. I really want 4 of each for this week’s dem, because of how the opening placing will look. It doesn’t help when people don’t wear their name badges, cos I don’t know everyone’s names. And the men’s habit of wearing their badge on their belt makes it very awkward to try to read it.
Day 4 Tuesday
Waited in the foyer to pass on a few messages incl no videoing, as someone had ignored the instruction and posted something on Facebook already!
More requests to move class kept coming in.
Topped up supplies in guide hall, joined in with beginners to make up set.
Into the office for some admin, people still want to move class, or come up with solutions for noisy hand dryers. The junior summer camp presented us with some hand decorated plaques and door hangers.
We reckon Julie Walters and Dame Judi Dench will play us in the movie version of this fortnight.
At the Dem team first rehearsal, we revised Domino 5, and then put it into an overlapping set. It went really well! What a great bunch they are, full of enthusiasm and diligence. May be a MTIHD but it’s a delight to be working with some of the best dancers in the world.
Wrote up dem intro that the MC will read out on Thursday night, but cannot work out how to email it.
I managed to drive all-round the wee streets of St Andrews! And only had to three-point turn once! (You can’t drive through the arch going out of town).
Evening dance in the Younger hall, for this week’s centenary event, a live link up with TAC in Halifax. After quite a few anxious minutes trying to work out if we could both see and hear each other, and a £100 phone bill as Sue phoned her counterpart across the pond, we were off. We tried dancing the slosh and the can-can, just to make sure they were actually seeing us, and cheered when they copied what we were doing. What an amazing experience, I cried with joy at the bouncing floor, the stellar music, watching folk on the other side of the world do the same dances, sheer magic.
Day 5 Wednesday
Worked out how to use the complicated laundry room.
We took a Good Hard Look at the advanced class, to assess the folk who wanted moved up, and decide where the most suitable place for them was.
I walked back via the other halls, and joined in with the beginners again.
As part of Exam prep, got a list of the candidates.
Dem team rehearsal, cleaning the phrasing and starting to practice how we would walk on and off.
Didn’t sleep well, anxious about the dem. Was I taking too much of a risk with Domino 5?
Day 6 Thursday
People badly parked on the entrance road, took a note of their number plates on my rounds to try to identify the culprits.
Younger Hall, it’s a new class after the half way switch, and they don’t know how the coffee works.
Dem team practice in situ, I used blue tak dots to help identify the opening spots for each dancer, and let the team line up with floor-boards, windows, lights etc. before removing the blue tak.
I videoed their rehearsal, which was a useful way for us all to review and critique their performance.
Changed into tartan frock, and drove down with the till and the sashes.
Laid out sash and pins, and then discovered that none of them knew how to sash!
So I was furiously pinning up to the last minute, hoping that they would all look the same.
I took the team photo at the front door before they danced, though we will do the traditional staircase one as well.
I was so anxious, I think I held my breath throughout their performance. But they were brilliant, and I received lots of positive comments afterwards.
It was a quiet morning, we kept asking ourselves, should I be doing something!
Got strawberry tarts for examiners, and a charity shop glass to be mine with an identifying tartan ribbon.
Returned the dresses and sashes to the office, so they can be washed for next week.
Lunch was set out for the examiners in the directors study.
The exams ran smoothly, and I changed into one of my many frocks for the garden party, where I was in charge of pouring prosecco. Outside, the photographer was filming Dashing White Sergeant, with a drone. I can’t wait to see the end result of that one!
Cleared party room, and checked the layout of chairs for the ceilidh.
Day 8 Saturday
Checked party room, before a quick round of the classes, delivering missing shoes, laptops, etc.
One of the Candidate’s car has broken down
Managed to get an ice-cream at Janetttas, at last!
Guided Sue through the complicated laundry process.
Checked over cribs for tonight.
Helped folk sort out travel arrangements, especially those with a long journey ahead.
I had a quick power nap after lunch, before the staff and volunteers party.
I was a bit nervous before the evening, but made a coffee, took it to my room, and spoke out loud the words I am going to say.
Drove down to the Younger Hall , and put up the wall programmes. Deep breaths, I told myself, fake it till you make it. The Jim Lindsay band is so professional, they were a delight to be on stage with.
After the first few dances were called OK, I relaxed and started to enjoy myself. I made a few slip ups, but nothing major.
We finished bang on 11 as required, and I enjoyed a much needed GnT on my return.
Day 9 Sunday
I woke early, still buzzing after last night.
Tidied the party room, and started prepping name badges for the next intake.
Trying to work out how many sign up sheets I’ll need this week, with 2 candidate classes running, and volunteers required for their Unit 3.
Class lists pinned up, using someone tall for height.
Sweepstake on when the first class move request comes in (10 to 4). To be fair, it was from a husband and wife in different classes.
Staff meeting at 5, First timers briefing at 8, welcome drink 8-15, calling dances in the common room with Scott Band. This week’s attendees are all very competent dancers, and we had great fun!
Day 10Monday
Bracing myself for a raft of requests from dancers, teachers, examiners.
I’m worried that this week’s dem won’t have the wow factor of last weeks.
Not too much chaos at the front door, despite that high percentage of first timers.
Did the milk rounds, and looked at the 2 high impact classes, where there is plenty of choice for the dem team.
In the afternoon, this is the only time I have free before the garden party so I hit the charity shops for a fascinator. Every shop was full of dancers on the same mission.
In the Younger Hall I put up the wall programmes, and then spent the first half on the balcony, identifying my final team. Then I set off to ask them:
3 women said yes, one had to think about it.
3 men said yes, and 3 said no! One was booked on a boat trip, and he would rather see puffins than be on my dem team. Honestly! The next looked at me with terror in his eyes, and I quickly reassured him he could say no! And the third one had a sore foot.
Day 11 Tuesday
I didn’t sleep well.
I was up at 5 doing exam timetables, then a load of laundry,
Over breakfast, we learned that one exam candidate tested positive. I took her breakfast on a tray, and left it outside the door.
But my 4th woman said yes!
Met sore-foot guy in corridor, he agreed to be on the team!
Exam scheduling is a busy period, with candidates needing lesson plans printed and photocopied.
I was just feeling smug about having sorted my dem team, when the first man I’d asked called in wearing a mask to say he’s not feeling well. I sent him off with a covid test and my email address to keep in touch, as his US phone was being temperamental. Asked one of the fully certificated class to be his replacement, and started looking at 3c dances in case I need to re-do the dem programme.
Day 12 Wednesday
Man number 4 came into the office with a sore shoulder. I don’t really want to ask a member of staff to stand in, though that’s my absolute fallback, but……..
Puffin guy, your moment has come, you’re on the team!
More people testing positive with covid – I drew up a short protocol “what to do” that could be slipped under their door.
Early dem team rehearsal to allow for this week’s centenary event, afternoon tea from the university in Lower College Hall. This was a very swish do, attended by a veritable “who’s who” of RSCDS history, with lots of photographs being taken, and Ian providing some tunes on the fiddle.
Day 13 Thursday
7-30 am call from Sue- I need to take the advanced class as their teacher has covid.
My class musician was Luke Brady, who was a delight to work with. I got a bit confused teaching shehallions, which was made more difficult as I didn’t have an even number of dancers to make up square sets. But after a much needed coffee break we cracked it.
Someone approached me to ask for advice about their branch problems – really? Right here, right now?
There were complaints about the acoustics, I’m not loud enough, why doesn’t the society invest in some microphones.
Over coffee, we learned that another teacher had collapsed and had to be taken to A&E. So we are now 2 teachers short. Having considered all the options we decided to combine both high impact classes, and cancel the afternoon Highland classes
Dem team rehearsal in Younger Hall, they are so keen to make it look wonderful, and just a delight to work with.
I went over lesson plans for the rest of the week. I should’ve done the lesson I’d planned for Saturday, rather than trying to follow someone else’s plans.
Had a look at the ceilidh items, and planning the best running order.
Another candidate tested positive.
I’m feeling very under pressure, but trying to remain calm and diplomatic.
The dem team were all down in the hall in good time, so we got sashes sorted, and they warmed up in the foyer doing the Macarena.
They danced their routine beautifully, christened me their fairy godmother, and gave me a lovely wee card.
Directors study drinks – these constant late nights are getting to me, I’m usually in my bed by 11!
Day 14 Friday
6-30 call from Sue, she’s tested positive. So now we are 2 teachers and a director short.
The exams MUST take priority, the candidates have put so much time, money, effort and energy into getting to this point, I can’t let them down. I re-allocated the exam volunteer supervision duties, including taking people out of the fully cert class to be the required responsible adults. I took the Advanced class in the Old Dining hall from where additional volunteers could easily be plucked. The lesson went much better than yesterday’s, as I’d had more time to prepare. I made sure the examiners were happy and had all the paperwork they needed, and checked that their lunchroom was cleared quickly as they would need that space after the exams concluded.
More attendees testing positive.
I am so touched by how everyone comes to me and says “ how can I help”, and they genuinely mean it, and readily accept whatever task they are given. Some helped to serve drinks and pass round nibbles at the Volunteer thank you party, while someone else tidied up the chequered court where exam volunteers had been having coffee. Others offered hugs, tablet, a listening ear.
Director Jim was around as he’d been examining, and he offered to take my class on Saturday, which really takes off a good bit of pressure. If you are teaching a class, you are non-contactable/ usable for 4 hours.
I had a bit of fun MC-ing the Ceilidh, and people actually laughed at my jokes! We finished in good time, did a couple of ceilidh dances, and I got to bed at 10-30.
Day 15 Saturday
“One day more!”, we are all singing.
I started the clear down, making up a to- do list and then cheerfully ticking off each item.
Some final paperwork from the examiners.
The Garden party was being hosted by the University, and we decided to set it up indoors as rain was forecast.
The little cardboard afternoon tea boxes looked very cute, but they were a bit awkward to manage.
The celebration cake was cut by the youngest attendee, along with the person with the longest attendance record.
I did some packing, before changing into my tartan frock and heading down to the Sports Hall to MC the last dance.
Jim MCed the second half so I could actually do some dancing! Working alongside Luke and his band was an enormous privilege, and was tremendous fun.
It was a nice big hall, we had blue balloons of the number 100, that people enjoyed photographing themselves in.
I’d cleared down the director’s study, so I was grateful when someone offered to host the post-match drinks. I told everyone to get their requests in for next year’s programmes, which I will be devising.
Day 16 Sunday
There were lots of goodbye hugs in the crush hall.
Suggestions received re name badges, speed of recaps, give more info about covid cases, mikes for teachers……
I tidied the party room, took down the posters in Chequered Court, and found homes for the unclaimed raffle prizes.
I set off about 11, and my Sat nav took me a different way from that I’d come, more than 2 weeks ago, but I got to drive across the new Forth Bridge, which as a bridge afficionado was a real thrill.
Arrived at ferry terminal in plenty of time for my 7.30 sailing, But there were technical issues with the ferry, which eventually didn’t leave until after midnight!
After I got home, people kept asking me
Did I enjoy it?
I don’t think “enjoy” is the right word. It’s not that I DIDNT enjoy it, but it was….
…..exhilarating, challenging, rewarding, satisfying, and exhausting. Surprising. A privilege. Relentless.
Could YOU survive on gin, tablet, and 3 hours sleep?
Then you too can be summer school depute director!
Note: joke for Frank. A priest, a vicar and a rabbit go to a clinic to donate blood. The nurse asks the rabbit- and what blood type are you? And the rabbit says -I think I’m a type O.
PS, I get to do it all again next year. And I can’t wait!
Dancing At Lunacy 