Cleethorpes 2005

[Guest]

My my, hasn't the time flown by! This was my 6th pilgrimage up North to the Cleethorpes weekender and the excitement welled up as our journey progressed. So, having had a good sleep and upon reaching an adequate level of sobriety, I shall begin.

A few essentials were packed into the soul-mobile... a case of Archers, 8 bottles of Sol, 2 limes and a 4-roll pack of scented Andrex (oh, and my bestest soul mate, Lyndsay). My dancing boots and an assortment of strides fit for a talc-ridden weekend of debauchery *cough*.

Arriving an hour later than TomTom advised, caused by the tailback on the M1, we quickly unpacked a few beverages into the freezer to ensure a cold drink after hitting the shower... sod it, the first one would have to be warm (unlike the actual caravan!)

I had already perused the brochure that arrived the day before so knew what when and where everything was going on.

On with the baggy trousers; for a night of dancing was on the cards and throwing caution to the wind I adorned said trousers with my newest Japanese import, an LED belt buckle LOL. You could spot me in the middle of the floor by the blue glow that surrounded me announcing to all and sundry that I was the soulgirl - it was obscene and confirmed without a doubt my attention whoring status ha ha. I was going to re-program it to read something funny but forgot the destructions *blush*.

Friday night is competition night - I had it in my mind to enter and at one point Lyndsay asked if I was going to dance, I replied that I didn't like the song playing and swigged my Smirnoff. It suddenly occurred to me a couple of records later that she was in fact indicating that the competition has started so therefore, I had missed my chance again! Hey ho - next year then?

Anyway, the winner this year was a Japanese man whose style of dancing was very laid back, smooth and flowing. A worthy winner

Having agreed to meet up with someone in the R'n'B room, Lyndsay and I sauntered (OK, staggered) up the stairs - walking in was like getting off the plane at Dubai! How on earth anyone stays up there in that airless room all night I have no idea. Acclimatisation takes some time for me and I could only bear 5 minutes of the humid airless atmosphere. It was unbearable. I had already lost a significant measurement from my own personal water table as I whirred around the main hall dance floor for most of the night so I could not afford further fluid loss. Mick Smith played a good set as did Pat Brady and Butch - Ady also graced the decks at 2ish and the floor seemed relentless in their appreciation. By around 3.30am I was soul-satiated and in need of sustenance that could only be delivered by..... da da daaaaa ... the Beachcomber Caf! Adding tablecloths and removing ones right to smoke does not enhance the experience though I'm afraid. When they ask how you would like something cooked your choices are fried, fried or fried 'sweetheart'. LOL. However, please don't assume that I am being ungrateful. After a long day of dancing and beverage consumption they are indeed an oasis smack bang in the middle of madness.

So, back to the caravan - favourably we were accommodated in B27 being a mere 150 yards from the main entrance. Result or what.

Awoken by the reverberation of laughter I wearily looked to see what time it was.... 6.30 am! I had managed to at least get 3 hours of shuteye before Steve and Carole returned to the van with Roccia and Molly in tow. Being a professional sleeper I was more than capable of drifting off again, which I took full advantage of, and re-awoke at a respectable 10am. Time in hand to get ready for the afternoon's frolics and to down a couple of the essentials I mentioned earlier.

The afternoon sessions are always a wee bit quiet - especially as many didn't get to bed 'til lunchtime I expect. However, the afternoons are by far my favourite. The floor space is more than adequate to shake my big booty. Introducing an entire afternoon of guest DJ's from around the world always excites me. It's nice to hear what others around the globe listen to and I always hear the odd track that makes my ears prick up and my eye's widen. Heiki's spot was by far the one for me but the close runner up was Roccia. Ireland played some real nice mid-tempo stuff and I happily sat there supping and listening.

One track that was played was called Never Learned To Dance... what an absolute stomper - I love this to death and jumped to my feet to strut my stuff. I was approached by a nice bloke who asked who sung it. I looked blankly at him and embarrassingly said I didn't have a clue - I could not remember for the life of me. However, I can now tell you it was Harvey Averne Dozen. I just chucked it on whilst writing this and ended up groovin' round my conservatory LOL.

Lyndsay had made a request for Emanuel Lasky's Peace Lovin'Man and when Roccia announced the next track having been requested Lyndsay jumped to her feet and started dancing... unfortunately, it wasn't the track she asked for. Liz and I sat there pissing ourselves as it suddenly dawned on Lyndsay that she was dancing to the wrong track hahahaaaa.

Back to the van for a shower and snooze. 'Karen... do you know what time it is?' said Lyndsay... it's 10.30 She said. SHREEK said I, because at 8pm we decided to get an hour snooze and blimey, I would have slept through the Saturday night in its entirety if it weren't for Lyndsay waking up! Without further ado we hit the shower and arrived in the main hall at around 11.45; just catching the end of Gingers set and in good time for the live act. The Mirwood Revue featuring Sherlie Matthews. The opening number was one of my absolute faves. My Little Girl. Jim Gilstrap sang it brilliantly - it's one of those numbers that has the most amazing bass lines ever and one that I adore in its instrumental guise too.

3 encores later they departed the stage to deafening applause.

I caught the Italian Stallion to purchase my annual Rimini CD - this years offering is fantastic actually so thanks guys. We listened to that all the way home... 5 times LOL. We more than look forward to hearing those in July during the Rimini rare soul weekender.

Back to the dance action for me. I puffed my Imperial Leather down to the ground taking advantage of a largish space opposite the record bar. Many a puff later the insides of my thighs began to ache and the balls of my feet were on fire. The sweat on my head felt like insects crawling before the droplets fell from the ends of my wet hair. The new spencers I wore accommodated the exit of perspiration that freely flowed down the back of my legs and the salty liquid left a bitter taste in my mouth as it dripped from my face (keep up, we're still talking about sweat ok).

By 5.30am I felt as though I had just endured a 7 hour labour. My legs were wobbly and my body felt wracked. The van beckoned me home once more and I was powerless to resist. I took a post-natal type shuffle past the empty pool and slumped onto the sofa and fell asleep.

The Sunday afternoon session saw us arriving at around 2.30pm. A dance or two for me before the quiz started and a couple of Smirnoff's. I entered this year and I WON A PRIZE!!!!! I came last LOL - In fact, it wasn't surprising because I know absolutely jack shit about soul music... I won the booby prize. I humbly accepted my CD and cash prize and giggled as I left the front of the stage. Following the quiz was the introduction of a new element - Bingo! I had that Dynamics 'Bingo' song in my head and couldn't stop humming it. I almost expected that to be played during the bingo but alas, it wasn't. Go have a listen... it's a great dancing track.

By 5pm I was ready for another... yep, you guessed it... kip. By this time I was so wishing I had packed my loafers. For two nights and two afternoons I have teetered around in my boots and my feet were not thanking me. Lynds and I grabbed some food on the way back to the van and we laughed at the photos we had taken to date.

Having danced so hard and knowing I had a 300 mile trip home I sipped water throughout the Sunday evening. The golden oldies blared out and the dance floor was a sea of shuffling sardines. The fancy dress entries were almost non existent. I think this tradition has slowly but surely petered out and wonder if Ady will include this for next year. And, because of a paint peeling problem, the pool was closed and empty so I hope no one jumped in at the end - that would not have been a pretty sight.

The DJ dance-off was a complete miscarriage of justice as per usual. Jodie was unfavourably 'put off' her musical statue pose as was Shirlie Matthews! Fun and frivolity ensued throughout the competition but there could only be one winner - and suffice to say it was a Gal

I departed at 1am. It was absolutely freezing. On with the gas fire - middle of June and we are putting on the gas fire!

The end had arrived all too quickly although my feet would argue the contrary. Another excellent weekend full of brilliant music, wonderful people and awesome dancers.

Big it up for Ady and Sylv. Your commitment to our needs is exemplary and I thank you wholeheartedly for that.

That's it from me - I'm off to pick the flies off the front of the soul mobile and play a bit of popcorn now but I have to say this one last thing... was I the only one wondering where Simone was?

You can find my photographic offering HERE

Soulful regards,

Karen x

PS: No soulies were injured in the photo lightening process - I think

[Guest]

Lyndsay had made a request for Emanuel Lasky's Peace Lovin'Man I had that Dynamics 'Bingo' song in my head and couldn't stop humming it. I almost expected that to be played during the bingo but alas, it wasn't. Go have a listen... it's a great dancing track.

Short-n-sweet,soulgirl!!!first point Emanuel Laskey`s "Peace lovin`man",you could have had a full emty Dance floor,if that makes sence!,if you had gotten out your bed,and checked out my infamous boot sale special,and as for Dynamics i was carying the sod!,round all weekend,put it down for a dance,could be anywere now,Ady did say something about records but all a bit fuzzy at mo!....

Thats out ya`bed not ya head!!!.

[Guest]

LOL - trouble is I don't do so I have to do

It's a shitty compromise sometimes, especially when I learn what I missed but I'm not about to start something just for the heck of it

[Ady Croasdell]

as for Dynamics i was carying the sod!,round all weekend,put it down for a dance,could be anywere now,Ady did say something about records but all a bit fuzzy at mo!....

Martin Driever's party found a couple of records on their table, I'll ask them if that was one of them.

[Guest]

as for Dynamics i was carying the sod!,round all weekend,put it down for a dance,could be anywere now,Ady did say something about records but all a bit fuzzy at mo!....

Brett left a couple of records on a table Ady, don't know what they were though.

[Guest]

Brett left a couple of records on a table Ady, don't know what they were though.

link

Hi Karen, some fine friends of mine took them to safety at night, so these ones aren't mine.

Brett

[Guest]

Hi Karen, some fine friends of mine took them to safety at night, so these ones aren't mine.

Brett

link

Not a english demo of help me;spellbinders & Bingo by any chance?....