Farewell Oxford Cruise

I'm back home after a week wrestling to keep the boat moving in a straight line in gusting winds. Narrow boats are slab sided and catch the wind like a sail making moving on the winding Oxford canal hazardous. Still we had a super time with my mother who acted like a child feeding the ducks and swans and enjoying the sight of new born lambs. Bless her, she has been house bound until last autumn looking after my father who suffered from acute dementia. At least the wind didn't spoil her trip. Sadly the resident swans have abandoned their nest, perhaps their eggs were stolen.

Back from the boat and the weather today is warm and sunny, that's English weather for you. Now we have to plan moving the boat north the above Birmingham, tricky when we have to move the car as well. We will start that trip next week. it will be sad to say farewell to the Oxford Canal but it will be lovely to explore new places this summer, especially if we get some sun.

 

Phil Carpenter,

Linedance Instructor and Choregrapher

answers Twenty Questions

Phil and the Beavercreek dancers performing Got It All 

Phil Carpenter is a Linedance Instructor and Choregrapher trying hard to get published. His dances have been well received locally including his two latest dances: GOT IT ALL and BORN TO BE BLUE.

 

Two of his dances: TOUCH'N GO and 2 TIMES were given accreditation on two music C.D.s, with the step sheets for the dances being printed within the music credit booklet accompanying the c.d.

How did you become a line dance instructor?

I found line dance structures interesting and started creating some dances of my own. I was encouraged (by Karen Jones) to teach them to a class to get them danced, so becoming a Linedance instructor came naturally from being a choreographer.
 

When did you start writing dances?

My advance into choreography was aided by Karen Jones. Caroline ( My Wife) and I attended her club LINEDANCE KRAZY and learnt the different steps in various dance routines. Karen choreographed ISLANDS IN THE STREAM which became a no 1 hit and was voted Line dance of the year. It is still a floor filler today. Caroline & I were with her when she first taught the dance to 25-30 people in Crawley and again we were with her in Blackpool when she picked up her Dance of the Year award at ‘The Crystal Boot Awards’ ceremony.

Karen helped me write dance scripts and showed me how to teach a Line dance class even though I had previously instructed Ballroom & Latin American. During this learning period, I am proud that Karen called me her apprentice. I hope I have served my apprenticeship.

What’s the difference between ballroom dancing and line dancing?

In the Ballroom & Latin world shaping and structure comes from dancing with partners. In Line dancing, individuals of all differing abilities dance in a line so the structures and shaping are completely different. The dance becomes a pattern which when done well, is pleasing on the eye.

 What’s the best thing about being a dance instructor/choreographer?

It is rewarding to see 50+ people enjoy a dance I’ve created and taught them, regardless of their individual level, especially when they dance with increased confidence on following weeks. It’s brilliant seeing a room full of strangers all doing my dance at a social or charity night. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching at Country Festivals; and have been invited to teach at various clubs around the U.K. The icing on the cake was teaching in Cyprus and various venues in the U.S.A. A great experience and great memories.

 And what’s the worst?

The lack of feedback from dancers is frustrating. Sometimes a class is unresponsive to the dance I am teaching, be it my work or another choreographers. After extensive preparation it’s hard when some dancers walk off the floor, while others finish the dance and say nothing, but sit out the next time it’s done. Knowing their likes and dislikes would help me create an enjoyable evening with less preparation, but I don’t expect feedback to increase any time soon, Heh Ho!

 What do line dance clubs offer?

Apart from dancing, clubs offer a relaxed atmosphere for people to make friends, particularly those living on their own such as the divorced and widowed. I have known people who have met dancing and gone on to become engaged.

Our club in particular, organizes Line dancing weekends away which are well supported and help strengthen friendships made through the club.

 Tell us about you working experience.

First I served a 5 year Plumbing apprenticeship, then I obtained 4years experience as a qualified Plumbing & Heating engineer before I moved into the office world and became a Buyer.

I had a short spell as a Branch Manager for a Heating retail outlet, but it was not for me and so I returned to the world of Buying until I was made redundant.

While out of work, I attended college and obtained a Cotac qualification for the Travel Industry. This led to me working for London & Country Buses in their travel office.

After that I started as a sole trader in the world of Gardening. I am pleased to say that this has worked out and I am still trading.

 Have you ever had an embarrassing moment?

Apart from missing penalties and simple chances at goal whilst playing Football, I can’t really think of anything too embarrassing.

 What dancers need most?

They need to be gently coaxed along by reviewing the steps to a number of dances, until they have gained the confidence to get onto the dance floor and dance without assistance.

 Who is your dancing hero?

I do not have a dancing hero, just a lot of respect for those who have mastered the art.

 

What do you think of other choreographers?

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In footballing terms, there is the Premier Division, with a number of choreographers who are the driving force and earn their living from this world. Their scripts are published in Line dance magazines and most people dance their compositions. The professionals do what it says on the tin, they choreograph great dances and keep Line dancing alive and interesting.

The rest are in the lower divisions trying to gain promotion. They watch and learn from the top guys and hope for that elusive break, to become recognised. Who knows how long that will take? But upsets and surprises happen in the F.A. Cup, so I remain positive with fingers crossed.

What are you reading?

Caroline is the book reader in our house, she always has her nose in a novel.

I tend to read Newspapers, Line Dance journals, or I am reading and learning dance scripts or writing them.

 

 Which was your favourite book when you were a child?

When I was younger I used to enjoy reading the novels of Arthur Hailey.

 What did you want to be when you were twelve?

When I was 12, I always wanted to become a Professional Footballer.

 What is your proudest achievement?

There are 2 things that I am proudest of:

I played Football to a Senior Amateur level (Today I would be classified a Semi Professional)
 I had dances accredited on 2 separate Line Dance Fever C.D compilations. The Dances were 2 TIMES & TOUCH’N GO; they were listed on the music track and the scripts were published within the accompanying music booklet.

 What would you like to see happen in the future?

In the future I would like to see an honest & fairer country for all. Politicians would to do their duty honestly, and look after the people in this country, not serve their own interests. They would prove they could do the job, so we would not see today’s incompetence. Pigs will probably fly, but one can but hope.

 

What are your fondest memories?

Childhood holidays with family and friends at various coastal resorts around the UK.
Attending Football matches around the country, including Wembley Stadium, and watching my favourite team, Sheffield Wednesday.
Meeting Caroline for the first time and our wedding in Hawaii. During this holiday we had a number of memorable experiences including a visit to Pearl Harbour.
Tell us about your hobbies away from dancing.

I enjoy photography, especially taking pictures of landscapes and my dog Buster. Caroline and I enjoy concerts. Recently we were fortunate to see Andre Rieu in concert, in his home town of Maastricht in the Netherlands; we will watch him there again this year. We have also seen Katherine Jenkins in concert a few times.

 Where do you hope to be when you’re 70?

It’s a long way into the future, but hopefully I will be living near the coast in good health, still dancing and with more money in the bank than at the present time.

 What was/ would be your dream holiday?

I think we have already had our dream holiday.

When Caroline & married, we selfishly took a month off work and spent 1 week in San Francisco, then 2 weeks Island hopping in Hawaii and finally a week in San Diego.

We actually got married on the Island of Hawaii in a sunset ceremony. The following morning we took our first ever helicopter ride over an erupting volcano, then to complete this superb holiday , we went swimming with Dolphins.

 What superpower would you like to have?

My super power would have to be the ability to look into the future. I’d find out which artists were bringing out new, great tracks, and choreograph dances ahead of everyone else. I could also pick out the winning lottery numbers.

PHIL LEADING BEAVER CREEK LINE DANCERS IN HIS DANCE BORN TO BE BLUE WITH CHRIS THE CLUB LEADER

The Oxford Canal

Lottie lay quietly while we packed for the boat. Has she learnt it slows us down when she bounces around getting in the way? Normally by now we would be cruising but the boat is still overwintered due to the cold. Lottie didn’t mind but enjoyed an invigorating walk along Fenny Tunnel where snow still clung to the sides of the cutting while clumps of violets proclaimed spring at the bottom of the slope. On the way back she saw an otter sunning itself on the towpath and had to give chase. The otter was in the water in a flash. Excitement over, she settled down on the dinette and soaked up the heat from the wood burner.

 

The Oxford canal was iced solid next morning, looking beautiful in the sunshine. The resident swans were mating in an ice locked pool early in the morning; I suppose it’s one way to keep warm. An hour later she was settling down on last year’s refurbished nest while he rooted about the ploughed field for food.

Two hire boats passed by smashing a narrow gash in the ice. I bet when they hired they didn’t think they would be breaking ice in April. Although the sun is out the wind is arctic, but Mister Man braved the cold to do maintenance jobs outside. Maybe we’ll start our cruise next week.