Dancing on Dartmoor

So, I rose early(ish) yesterday, and took the train from Oxford to Reading, and thence to Newton Abbot, arriving at about 2:00 pm. At 3:00 pm, I was met by S. and her mother, who had driven down from somewhere south of London (Cheame?) and we proceeded over the moor to the appealingly named Blackheath Manor, site of the gig. Although I didn't get to see much of it, Dartmoor seems most impressive - the landscape changes radically in a very short distance, and the rock formations are most picturesque and unusual. There was sufficient space, and we had our cues, so we backtracked to Higher Venton Farm, where I was to stay the night, and after tea, we changed into costumes. Back at the Manor at around 5:00pm, we waited and ate bread and cheese while the dinner proceeded, and secreted ourselves in a curtained side room while after-dinner speeches were had. The main problem with this was that the guest of honor's grandchildren (ages 2, 3, and 5) kept peeking behind the curtain in a sort of hide-and-seek game, and we were worried they would pull down the curtain or otherwise advertise our presence. Still, the appointed moment arrived, we did a set, took a break, and then did a second set. Unfortunately, the odd shape of the space made it difficult to be able to use much in the way of props, and some of the songs (the drum solo especially) were hard to do in the limited space. But, the kids really enjoyed it, as did the older guests (I think) although I believe a few of them were a little taken aback. We then joined the guests for tea and birthday cake, were politely quizzed about our respective courses and theses, and were discreetly paid before departing, as S. and her mother had to drive back that night.

Once I returned to the B&B, I had a relaxing hot bath, read a short pictorial history of Dartmoor, and continued with reading both Conflicts of Law and HMS Surprise (favorite line, "Jack, you have debauched my sloth!") Upon waking I was greeted with a substantial cooked breakfast, and the cab came to take me over the moor again, this time covered in an uncanny fog that made the landscape look quite unearthly. Having an hour or so in Newton Abbot before the train left, I bought lunch and acquired a book on West Country Smuggling circa 1700-1850. Coming back on the train past Teignmouth and Dawlish, the sea was incredibly beautiful - blue and grey and stormy, just like something out of a book. I fell asleep later, but I was back in Oxford by 5:00 p.m.

All in all, it was an adventure - going somewhere I'd never have thought to go, seeing some new sights, and best of all dancing and being paid for it. It seems like quite a large sum, what with expenses and all, but I am reminded that it probably would have cost quite a bit to hire any entertainers for a party at such a remote location, besides which travel there (and back again) took a good two days in total. Still, seeing as I had the time and inclination, it was quite fun, and I am grateful to S. for the opportunity. I'd willingly do the same again - new experiences, and all that.