taxi4ballet

My dd would have taken her exam at HQ, but since her teacher is having a big exam session anyway it makes sense this time for her to take it locally. Next time it will be in London I'm sure. Dd has already been there for workshops; I sent her on purpose so she would be familiar with the building!

I remember dd's teacher saying (among many other things) that it wasn't the girl's age on the calendar that mattered, it was her physical development and maturity.

DD is taking her exam at her own dance school.

Do you have to have photo id if you are taking inter found or inter at your own dance school premises, or just if you go elsewhere? It's just that it hasn't been mentioned by dd's teacher at all, and dd's exam is next week.

All I remember from ballet lessons is wondering why everyone else could turn out and do plies and I couldn't!

We were in the Freed shop at lunchtime today - no need to book - there were 4 assistants and us. DD was drooling over the Union Jack pointe shoes in the window!

How about asking her teacher if there are some strengthening exercises she could be doing over the summer hols? I tend to agree with Spanner that there is no rush, and it is probably best to check with the ja teacher in the autumn.

I found the part of the article about how dancers walk in everyday life particularly interesting - they do seem to walk differently to everyone else - I'd always put it down to painful feet and aching all over!

You're absolutely right Anjuli - I would never be able to think of all of this!

From the description, it sounds to me as if the pointe shoes have had it and are not supporting the girls' feet!

I suppose that potential being recognised by a teacher is really only the start. Alongside that, perhaps what is also needed is a robust constitution, extreme fitness, a steely resolve and determination, single-minded ambition, enthusiasm, motivation, a strong work ethic, and enough of an ego to be able to cope with setbacks without it affecting self-esteem and confidence in their own ability. Hang on a minute - am I describing a ballet dancer or an Olympic athlete?!!

You could always give the Freed London shop a call and see what they say. I know that you don't need an appointment in Dancia or Bloch.

Hi, do you know how many NATD grades there are?

Delia's Bible, and my late mum's copy of a Stork margarine recipe book My childhood copy of 101 Dalmatians Most of my Dick Francis books are literally falling apart

Years ago, my friend and I were highly amused by a variety of crisps on sale in Ibiza called 'Bum' !

It's a real trial and error process isn't it!

Reminds me of a quote from somewhere - 10 percent inspiration, 90 percent perspiration!

I haven't heard of this one before, it will be interesting to find out more.

I was wondering if anyone knows which London shops offer a student discount, and is it just for full-time vocational students, or associates as well? Do any of the on-line shops offer the same? Any help and advice gratefully received.

Porthesia, with more than one cat, it could be a territorial thing. They need to 'mark' their space, and will go on top of another cat's business to do this. If it is a nice sunny day (haha, fat chance), have you tried putting the tray just outside the door? Sometimes it works if you move it an inch or two towards the door each day, so they don't notice too much.

Fingers crossed for everyone that things are sorted out soon.

One of my sandals slipped off my foot as I was getting on a train and went down the gap between train and platform and onto the track. I got off at the next station and hopped over to the ticket office. They helpfully phoned the other station for me and asked them to retrieve it and put it on the next train. Waited an hour for the next train - no sandal. Phoned again, and they said they'd got the sandal, but hadn't put it on the train as they didn't have a lost property bag to put it in. Pointed out that it wasn't lost but found. Made no difference, so I had to wait another hour to get the train back to where I started. On the journey - you've guessed it - I passed my sandal taking a ride on a train going the other way. AAARghhh!!!

If anyone is interested in an easy (and very humane!) way to deter cats - either your own or other people's - from digging in your garden, try leaving all your orange peelings scattered on the flower beds. They don't like the smell. Another idea is to add a tablespoon of garlic puree to a watering can of water and water the plants with it, sprinkling it on the foliage as well as the ground. The plants take up the garlic, which cats dislike, and it also helps to stop greenfly; they don't much like it either.

Saw it the other day, double wow! especially the 'Band of Brothers' boys dance near the beginning, the PDD and the Queen finale.

Well done to all your dk's Seagazer, and to you too!